DEAD SEASON: ZOMBIES AND THE 7D

Makers of “Dead Season,” a new independent zombie flick currently in production, have snagged up the rights to it being the “first film shot on the Canon 7D.” Although the movie in still in the early stages of production, it appears to be shaping up well.

Up to this point, the camera of choice has always been the 5D Mark II for serious film productions, yet I believe we will start seeing more and more productions utilizing the 7D’s wider frame rate capabilities. Despite the smaller sensor, the 7D still turns out an amazing image and I’d say the real test to measure it’s performance is to see it on the big screen. Hopefully more movies like this will do that for us.

“Dead Season” has put out a selection of first week dailies to give us a taste of what they’ve achieved. Check it out below!

Dead Season Week 1 Selects from enzosauce on Vimeo.

A FEW THINGS FROM HERE AND THERE

Wow, it’s been a while…
Things have been pretty slow in the DSLR world, so we here at DSLRFilm are spending time getting in contact with various production teams currently using DSLRs and asking for their stories. We are working on incorporating Production Tips for the Pre-Production to Post-Production process of shooting a film on DSLRs. This is something we’ve wanted to do for a while, and now we have the opportunity. Are you shooting a film with a DSLR? Tell us about it! We will let the world know! You can contact me directly at: petermarshfilms@gmail.com. Free marketing is a nice added bonus.

Now to other news.

Canon released the firmware update for the 7D finally. The firmware is now up to 1.1.0. If you own a 7D and haven’t updated yet, you can do so here!
With this update: “Corrects a phenomenon that in images captured by continuous shooting, and under certain conditions, barely noticeable traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible.”

In 1D Mark IV news, Canon has reported overwhelming orders for the new camera and have ramped up their manufacturing to meet the demand. As of right now, the word on shipping is December 9, 2009. That means if you’ve pre-ordered a 1D Mark IV, there’s a good chance you’ll get it in time for Christmas. Booyah! Best Christmas present ever!

RED EPIC-X HAS AN EPIC PRICE TAG

RED’s line of “DSMC” cameras have been talked about for what feels like an eternity now, with little to say about an actual release date. A new and impressive list of specs was released, as well as a $28,000 price tag, and GUESS WHAT? Still no release date…

With that point, when they finally do release it, who is really going to be able to afford it? Other than Hollywood studios and rich kids that is… Hell I bet even the rental price will be massive.

All of that aside, I have to admit that this camera is gonna kick some ass! The variable frame rates alone entice me enough. Here’s a little teaser for you:

* New MYSTERIUM-X 5K sensor
* 5K (2:1) at 1-100fps
* 4K (2:1) at 1-125fps
* Quad HD at 1-120fps
* 3K (2:1) at 1-160fps
* 2K (2:1) at 1-250fps
* 1080P (scaled from full frame) at 1-60fps
* Increased Dynamic Range, reduced noise
* Time Lapse, Frame Ramping
* REDCODE 250
* ISO 200-8000
* New FLUT Color Science
* Completely Modular System, each Module individually upgradeable
* Independent Stills and Motion Modes (both record full resolution REDCODE RAW)
* Touchscreen LCD control option
* Interchangeable Lens mounts including focus and iris control of electronic RED, Canon and Nikon lenses (along with Zoom data)
* LDS and /i Data enabled PL Mount
* Multiple Recording Media Options (Compact Flash, 1.8″ SSD, RED Drives, RED RAM)

The SCARLET, which is the one said to be most cost effective, has a lot of the same features but no real word on how much that will be. The thought is that it is more along the lines of current DSLRs.

THE RUMOR MILL: 1Ds MARK IV (THE BIG BROTHER)

So far, the 1D Mark IV is leading the trend on Video DSLRs with high light sensitivity, rolling shutter correction and various frame rates. Yet it also costs way more than everything else for what you get with it. Not too conducive to independent filmmakers…

I have a feeling that will change come spring when Canon is scheduled to release the 1D’s bigger brother, the 1Ds Mark IV. Keeping up with it’s history, Canon will add it’s final 1D camera to the lineup and more than likely add it’s best features to that camera. Some specs on this camera have shown up, and if they are true, it will put the 5D Mark II out of business…

Here’s what is being talked about:

-32MP Full Frame Sensor (some people have also heard 38)
-Dual DIGIC IV processors (no word on DIGIC V yet)
-New Video Features (1080 60p? We hope.)
-ISO range 100-6400 (no word on boost yet)
-5fps still burst
-Same AF system as 1D4
-Same body as 1D4

It’s still pretty early on so a lot of those specs could change. However the sensor info comes from a very reliable source so that should remain. When more info is leaked, I’ll let you know!

THE RUMOR MILL: CANON WORKING ON DSLR BASED VIDEO CAMERA

CRAZY NEWS IN THE CANON WORLD! COMING 2010!

Canon is rumored to be currently developing a new video camera with integrated DSLR functions that we’ve grown to love. Functions that will apparently blow the need for DSLRs out of the water…

The camera will be modeled after the current XL H1 and will include an EOS mount for interchangeable lenses. Two lenses are being developed specifically for the camera, one starting at 16mm and a tele-zoom starting at 70mm. Of course the EOS mount will allow you to use any EF or EF-S lenses that you’ve been getting for your DSLR.

The best part is the sensor and frame rates though! It will hold an APS-C sensor, that of the 7D basically, that will be able to capture 120hz or full frames a sec. It will be somewhere around a 12.1 MP sensor. The projected frame rates will be 24/25/30 & 60p in 1080p as well as 60p in 720p.

Like it’s DSLR counterparts, the images will be captured to a single CF card slot in a video format of MPEG-4 at 56mb/s. There is also rumor of work being done on a raw video format at 12mb/sec that will require an external IO module with uncompressed SDI out and USB 3.

As far as other video aspects in the camera go, I’m sure it will have a lot of the functions the XL H1 currently has. Price range will more than likely be in the $8000s. All other info has yet to leak, but when it does, I’ll let you know!

THE 1D MARK IV: KICKIN’ THE 7D’S TEETH IN

IT’S HERE! IT’S SHEER MADNESS! GET USED TO IT!

Canon made it’s official press release today on the 1D Mark IV. For the longest time, the 1D line had been regarded as Canon’s “flagship” line of cameras and they proved that today with this guy. A lot was rumored, speculated, and discussed about this camera and for the most part Canon delivered everything we wanted and more. I’m for one incredibly impressed and for the projected price of roughly $5000, I feel like it really packs a punch!

Feel like the 5D Mark II is getting left in the dust? Worry no more, we’re finally getting the firmware update we asked for! 24P!

(more…)

THE NEW NIKON D3s: VIDEO DISAPPOINTMENT

“Nikon today announces the introduction of the D3S, the camera that enables professionals to take control of the unpredictable and extends the possibilities for action photographers everywhere. Built upon the widely acclaimed Nikon D3, the D3S advances low light photography to another level and sets in motion new creative options for multi-media movie shooting.” -DP Review

Nikon is marketing this camera as the “ultimate camera for news, sports and wildlife.” An interesting marketing ploy… And to be perfectly honest, it probably is the ultimate for that industry. As a still camera, the D3s is top notch and a hell of a choice for any photographer. But what about video?

The rumors for the longest time were this camera would be the first from Nikon to offer 1080p video at 24fps. That got me excited, because Nikon makes amazing lenses and I could only imagine how great the video would be. But alas, Nikon didn’t deliever… This camera, like all the ones before it, shoots only in 720p at 24fps. Don’t get me wrong, that is still nice HD, but it’s not full HD.  But you don’t get manual controls or manual focus. The camera is completely auto in movie mode. And for the price range, ( a whopping $5100!!) you might as well go with the Canon counterpart that does shoot in 1080p at a fraction of the cost.

The real redeeming quality of this camera is the High-Sensitivity ISO set at an unmatched 102400. Nikon says it is “low noise” but I can imagine those images would be a little rough. It does have a full frame sensor though, so it might end up working out.

Complete Specs:

-12.1MP CMOS FX sensor 36.0 x 23.9mm
-ISO from 100 to 12800 (High ISO at 102400)
-9fps continuous shooting
-Fast Shutter Speed at 1/8000 sec.
-2 CF card slots
-Movie Mode 1280×720/24fps MOTION JPEG format

THE RUMOR MILL: OCTOBER 20TH - CANON 1D MARK IV

IT’S COMING…

This time from a very reliable source!

It looks certain that Canon will introduce a new camera on Tuesday Oct. 20th. Most likely it will be the 1D Mk IV, with very high ISO. Probably as high as ISO 102,400. The camera will have an APS-H (1.3x Crop) sensor.

I have no information on resolution, fps or movie options yet.

My feelings are that Canon has responded to the Nikon D3s that is supposed to be released in the next week. The D3s will also have super high ISO at 102,400. But! The Nikon D3s will NOT have 1080p video! Only 720p. Looks like Nikon really isn’t trying to compete there.

Another smaller rumor is that Canon will announce a 1Ds Mark IV in the spring that will be a projected 32MP camera. Not only that, but these two cameras have been lined up to be the LAST of Canon’s 1D line. To me that means that things are only going to get better!

THE RUMOR MILL: MORE ON THE 1D MARK IV

Official Announcement? NOT OCTOBER… Damn…

More sources are in, and the consensus is apparently “the end of January.” This date of course is not the end all be all… If issues arise with the camera, the announcement date will be pushed back. Also, as of this moment, there are no dates set for a press release or official showings.

We do get to drool over some sweet specs though:

16MP
12fps
1.3x APS-H sensor size
1080p HD video with 24p/25p, 30p, 60p! (That’s right, Full HD slow-mo!)

This camera is just about the closest guarded secret in Canon’s history, so who really knows for sure what’s going on.