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Photo This & That is the blog of multi award winning photojournalist, film maker and commercial photographer Edmond Terakopian.
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Category Archives: Camera Equipment
5D MkII Goes Up Against "Proper" Video Cameras
Zacuto’s Great Camera Shootout ’08 from Steve Weiss, Zacuto USA on Vimeo.
Zacuto have brought together four film makers and asked them to choose between a range of cameras starting at the top end with film, the Red One, all the way to the Nikon D90. In the mix was also the Canon 5D MkII.
At the end out the “shoot out”, two of the four film makers picked the Canon 5D MkII as their camera of choice for documentary work.
You can watch a bigger version here. There is also a 720p HD version to download from the site. You need to first register for free and then download the M4V version which is to the right of the Vimeo page.
Posted in Camera Equipment, Video
WARNING – Dangerously Incompatible Cables
Ok, now that I have your attention, there’s an article on EDN that warns of using USB cables to attach your cameras to your computers. This kind of falls out of the pro market as most of us use card readers, so please make sure your friends and relatives know of this issue.
Although most cables that come with digital cameras look the same physically and have a USB plug on one end and a mini USB which plugs in to the camera, they are sometimes wired differently and can cause damage to the camera. Only use the cable that came with your camera.
Posted in Camera Equipment
Canon 5D MkII By Night
I’ve had my hands on a 5D MkII for over a week now as I’m reviewing it for the BJP’s Christmas edition. Its going to be a sad day when I have to return the camera back to Canon.
The low light capabilities of this camera are absolutely astonishing. It almost makes you feel like you’re cheating as it opens up possibilities where normally you would either:
a) have to get a tripod
b) use flash and kill the mood
c) leave and go home
The shot of the London Eye (above) is a nice shot by night. Not a difficult or demanding shot. However, you have to realise that it was taken hand held at 4000ASA! The picture’s been taken using a Canon 45mm f2.8 TS-E (tilt and shift) which is quickly becoming a favourite lens for creative shooting.
The second picture of France’s President Sarkozy (above) visiting Downing Street was taken yesterday after 4pm – basically it was almost pitch black. As my colleagues were forced to get their flashguns out and swap lenses to a 70-200 and hope the high gloss black door of number 10 wouldn’t reflect too badly, I just stood there with a big smile, the 5D MkII and my 300mm f2.8L lens. I may have forgotten to mention that it was shot at 6400ASA! As I showed my colleagues the picture, an argument ensued – they were certain that I had used flash….until they realised there was no flash on the camera; oh what good fun!
Posted in Camera Equipment
New Bags From Think Tank Photos
Think Tank Photo have launched several new bags. The Shape Shifter (above) is definitely of more interest to photojournalists. It has a genius way of swallowing up a whole professional level of camera gear and a laptop with accessories. What sets it apart from all other bags though is its ability to compress the camera section away, just leaving a 3″ deep laptop bag. This is great for travelling to assignment, taking out your gear and then turning the bag into a slim laptop carrie
r which is light and so slim that you won’t be bumping into people or objects. I have written a full review for the BJP which will be out very soon.
The other bag is part of a series called Street Walker (above). Its a very neat design which can carry a laptop and full pro level camera gear.
I’m a big fan of the products from Think Tank Photo and every bag I use is made by the company. I have yet to find better designed or better made rollers, back packs, pouches or shoulder bags. One of the things that sets the company apart from others is that it listens to photographers and has a design board made up of photographers from around the world with different disciplines. If you haven’t yet seen the range, I definitely recommend you look through their web site and pop into your local shop to try them out; you won’t be disappointed.
Lastly, founder of Think Tank Photo, Doug Murdoch, has published a new free white paper called “Active Shooting vs. Transportation/Storage” which is available to download.
Posted in Camera Equipment
24 Megapixel Camera That Shoots at 30 fps?!
There has been a lot of talk and many rumours surrounding the Red Scarlet. Well, a couple of days ago it was announced officially by Red.
For stills photographers and for photographers needing to also shoot video, these cameras seem ideal; the ones to look out for are the Scarlet and the Epic. Also, you need to learn a new acronym; DSMC (Digital Stills and Motion Camera)!
The camera system that caught my eye most is the Scarlet, of which there are four variations which range from $2500 to $12,000 for the full frame model. Although Red will be producing their own lenses, there is also the option to get a lens plate for Canon and Nikon lenses. The other interesting thing is the whole modular technology (grips, lens mounts, monitors and eye pieces, recording modules, batteries and I/O module) which means you bolt on what you need and also upgrade certain bits as time goes on.
Going back to the full frame model, the Scarlet FF35, lets you shoot 24 megapixel stills at 30 frames per second! Absolutely nuts!! You can also shoot 6K video on this thing.
The other item of interest is the 2/3″ Mysterium-X with a built in x8 lens. The focal length of the lens has yet to be announced and the price isn’t yet known, but this might just become the perfect photo journalist’s video camera.
For the medium format photographer, the $45,000 Epic 645 will no doubt raise some interest. This camera will shoot 65 megapixel images at 50 fps!
As far as I can see, there are no samples yet, but I’ll keep you posted as and when they appear.
The Canon 5D MkII has re-written the rules on video quality for the photojournalist. The only place the Canon fails is professional quality sound with the ability to allow the input levels to be managed (although it does have a built in microphone jack); this is where the Red Scarlet may make the difference. If the system delivers what it promises, these are going to be interesting times! Lets welcome the DSMC!
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Posted in Camera Equipment, Video
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