Camera Test

Written by Moritz Janisch

First off there is not one perfect solution to get a sharp image (video) but as usual there are a few components that come together to create a detailed image… I had the idea to write this post and make a tutorial because there are a lot of people who still don’t understand why it is best to shoot with a flat picture profile. Most DSLRs have a few picture styles and on every camera it has to be adjusted a little bit different but the goal is always the same: Getting the most dynamic range and detail out of the camera.

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Written by Moritz Janisch

Last year Nikon released a few new DSLRs like the D4 and D800 which are being used for all kinds of films not only in independent cinema but also in Hollywood. This was the first time they really showed Canon that they are also interested in joining the DSLR video market, which is a little bit late. Anyways the camera found its place thanks to the option of recording uncompressed video via HDMI out. Continue Reading →

Written by Moritz Janisch

It’s that time of the year when Canon decides to put out an updated version of the Rebel camera. We have shot a lot of stuff with the 600D (T3i) because it was one of the first DSLRs with an articulated display which made a lot of special angle shots much easier. You didn’t have to lie on the ground anymore to see what you are capturing. Another big plus was the manual audio control which wasn’t even available on the 5D Mark II or the 7D. For most people this is the DSLR to start with – it’s an entry level crop sensor camera with the ability of creating an incredible shallow depth of field.

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Written by Moritz Janisch

Last week we introduced the user request series in which we pick one question or topic per episode and talk about different solutions. Many videos will be just simple and straight to the point tutorials but in other videos we will give tips and advice for filmmakers.

The second tutorial request is about the ideal settings for archiving your films. Continue Reading →

Written by Moritz Janisch

When preparing a shoot I think about how much hours of footage we will be shooting and how much storage we need. Most of the time I’m guessing the right amount. I don’t like to backup files during the shoot because it steals time so I take enough cards / storage with me. Transferring the files usually happens back at our office. Many clients don’t ask that much about gear and technical stuff, most of them only want to make sure we deliver the final product in full HD that means we have the freedom of choosing the right camera for the job. Continue Reading →

We started filming with DSLRs in spring 2010. The reason that happened was because our HDV camcorder (which was only one year old) from Sony broke while filming a corporate video. In early 2009 I bought the Nikon D90 for taking stills and of course video. I expected the D90 to be much better than it actually was in capturing video. I did a few tests and they were okay but I wasn’t satisfied. We used the camera on one single music video shoot and I liked the shallow depth of field and the 24p. It was really different from the DV or HDV interlaced look with usually 25i.

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In summer 2012 we had the chance to get our fingers on the brand new Canon Rebel T4i (EOS 650D). We went on a trip to Thailand and I thought this would be a great way to test the camera for the first time. We flew to Bangkok to shoot a commercial for a few days. In our free time we traveled through the city and also took the opportunity to visit the countryside.

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