Welcome

Welcome to StillMotography Plus! As the world of imaging has changed, growing numbers of image-makers, whether professionals with clients or enthusiasts, want to generate both stills and motion content. If you are shooting stills and motion with your camera, you have entered the world of Still-mo-tography and you are quite possibly a stillmotographer!
In the two and a half year life of this blog, the universe of cameras capable of capturing stills and motion has grown tremendously. While the Nikon D90 and the Canon 5D MarkII HDSLR cameras may have kick-started “stillmotography,” the number of cameras that have been introduced that are capable of delivering stunning stills and motion clips is astonishing and we’re talking about going way beyond the traditional DSLR. Our name change from HDSLRS-n-Motion is recognition of the expanded universe of not only cameras, but of products which can be of value to the Twenty-First Century image-maker. Welcome to a brand new world!
So Please come back often and check us out at www.stillmoplus.com!

Byron

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A Promise Kept: New Firmware for the Canon 5D Mark II is on the Horizon

On or about March 17, the Canon 5D MarkII moves a few steps closer to becoming the “ultimate” HDSLR motion-capturing camera. That’s when the long awaited firmware announced in the summer of 2009, bringing enhanced functionality to the camera’s video capabilities, becomes available for download. The improvements included in Firmware 2.03 are far beyond what many had envisioned when Canon originally announced the planned firmware update, and as outlined in a recent release by Canon, appear to be well worth the wait. The improvements and new features include the option of recording at 24 and 25 fps (NTSC and PAL respectively), an adjustment of the camera’s original frame rate of 30fps to conform with the NTSC protocol, manual adjustment of recording sound levels, a change in sound sampling frequency to match that of the 7D and 1D MarkIV, shutter and aperture priority movie shooting modes which give users control over shutter speed and aperture, and histogram display during manual exposure shooting. I can’t recall a camera manufacturer that has implemented this number of substantial changes to a product, and one which is nearly 18 months old at that. While the changes do not bring all of the resolution and frame rate options available on Canon’s newest models to the 5D MarkII, they do bring consistency to what are probably the most widely used frame rates available on Canon’s latest releases (7D, 1D MarkIV and Rebel T2i.) and the 5D MarkII. Those using multiple camera models will appreciate this.

The nature of the firmware changes underscores the fact that today's digital image-capturing tools are computers. It also confirms the belief of many that manufacturers have tremendous latitude to adjust and improve products, as well as add functionalities during their lifecycles; unfortunately, many do not, opting instead to release new products. Canon could have easily introduced a new model and left the 5D MarkII as is; thankfully, they did not. As a HDSLR, these changes make the Canon 5D MarkII with its full frame (35mm film-sized sensor) an undeniable value leader in terms of price, features and image quality. This is tremendous for those who have been shooting with it since day one, and have come to appreciate what it offers as well as understand and work around its limitations for video, both capture and after-capture workflow. With this firmware release, a stellar imaging machine will be getting even better. The fact that the firmware update is free makes this all the more compelling. While Canon has not announced or indicated that similar firmware upgrades will be made available for other cameras, 7D and 1D MarkIV users must be wondering if they are going to see some of these enhancements made available for those cameras as well.

Canon does acknowledge that the new advances are targeted specifically towards professional video users. Last month’s announcement of the EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 which was developed to enhance the workflow for Canon HDSLR users editing with Apple’s Final Cut Pro software makes it abundantly clear that they feel there is a substantial professional videographer market for the 5D MarkII as well as their other HDSLRs. The fact is that as the Firmware 2.03 has been described, most video shooters, from the seasoned professional to the enthusiast to the novice, should benefit from the changes and enhancements to the 5D MarkII, although as is the case with all camera features, everyone may not take advantage of them: By way of example, people who are shooting video without recording sound, may not appreciate the significance of the audio control and/or the frequency change.

As the ranks of HDSLRs grow, the technology continues to evolve. Not everyone is going to be happy with some of the features or the lack thereof or the balance between still and video capture capabilities. It is difficult—if not impossible—for a product to be all things to all people. This is and will remain particularly true for multi-media capturing devices. As far as Canon and the 5D MarkII are concerned, the bottom line is that Firmware 2.03 represents a promise kept and then some.

For more details on the upcoming 5D MarkII firmware release, click here.

UPDATE 3/16: The 5D MarkII firmware is available now. Make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully.

H(d)SLR Stabilizers: A Modular Approach

I recently made a presentation on H(d)SLRs to a group of photographers in New York, and two of the concerns the audience had included the amount of money needed to get your H(d)SLR video ready and the size of the equipment. It got me thinking about a reasonably-priced, handheld stabilizing solution that would allow for growth and expansion as needed. If your curiosity is peaked, read on….

The Modular Stabilizer in Four Acts.

Act 1
The foundation for this handheld stabilizer comes from British Columbia-based Cavision (designated 1 in the images.) It is their Single Handgrip with the RCP4590 plate. The grip folds down and attaches to the camera via a tripod socket. The MSRP of the Handgrip and plate assembly is $75USD. In this configuration, you have a solid platform to handhold your camera which provides two points (handgrip, plus free hand on camera) of stabilization.
Act 2
The next component is a LCD viewfinder accessory. I choose the Cinema kit from Hoodman, which includes the Hoodman Loupe 3.0, Eyecup 3.0 and a cinema strap to attach the Loupe assembly to the camera. While the Hoodman does not magnify, it does enhance the viewfinder experience, by cutting out stray light and providing three points of contact (hand grip, free hand on camera, and face) for stability. The kit retails in the vicinity of $115USD. This is where I find myself a little divided: While I do have the strap, I have had some issues with keeping the loupe firmly anchored to the camera with the strap on.
As an alternative to the Hoodman strap, there is the Redrock Micro Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit (as attached to the Hoodman Loupe and designated 2 in the images.) The loupe attachment fits to the Hoodman loupe and is seated between the camera and the Cavision plate. The MSRP of the Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit is $55.
A word of caution: do not handle the camera by the viewfinder accessory because it is sandwiched between the camera and base plate and its security depends on tightening the mounting screw in the tripod socket.
Act 3
The next component is for those interested in on-camera lighting and/or a microphone. The item of choice is the Cool-Lux MD 3000 Light and Sound Bracket (designated 3 in the images.) The aluminum bracket has two cold shoes at different heights, so it can accommodate a microphone and a light. It can be mounted on-camera in the hot shoe or on an off-camera accessory (as you will see next.) The bracket retails for just under $30USD.
Act 4
The final add-on is intended to provide an additional stabilizing point and to get the mike and light off the camera body. I realized that the Cavision pate had additional holes which would accommodate and extension arm. I happened to have a Sunpak E-flash Grip and Extension Arm from experimenting a few years back with their flat panel E-flash units (designated 4 in the images.) The extension arm is simply screwed into one of the holes in the Cavision plate. It can be placed on either the left or right side of the camera. It provides a second hand grip, and an arm with a ball head attachment that the Cool-Lux Bracket can be placed on to further isolate a microphone and or light from the camera. Some people may prefer the balance that the additional grip offers. The good news is that the Sunpak Grip and Extension Arm kit retails for $34.95. Note: The Sunpak Extension Arm will fit on the Cavision 5D MarkII and 7D Single Hand Grip and Viewfinder package which was previously reviewed.

(The handheld stabilizer rig is shown attached to a light stand for illustration.)
So there you have it, a modular stabilizing solution that takes elements from different product lines and combines them in a unique and functional way. I am particularly fond of this solution because it is not camera brand specific. Although I personally prefer the Microfinder accessory, one of the benefits of the Hoodman Cinema Strap is that the Loupe can be used with different sized camera bodies and/or bodies with or without a battery grip. We recently learned from one of our readers that the Loupe 3.0 does cover the screen of the new Rebel T2i,(thanks to Paul G for that info.) This stabilizing solution is easy to carry, easy to assemble/disassemble, and for people just getting their feet wet with motion capture, can be enhanced as their skills grow.
As always, we invite you to check out the current copy of “Outfitting Your H(d)SLR by clicking on the copy embedded below.



Disclosure: No consideration has been received in connection with this blog entry, nor has any manufacturer and/or retailer offered any consideration.