The Pepper Spray Incident

[The Sarlacc]

Shot a fun little test film with my D800.


It might not make a whole lot of sense what was tested...but the results are VERY impressive.


We shot this using ONLY available light. It was shot primarily at a really high ISO of 1250. And it was shot to SD card in camera with color grading done in post.


Whats impressive is the low noise levels at such a high ISO. The performance of the camera using only the light that was in the garage. AND just how well the compressed video shot to card handled color grading in post without falling apart.


Call me impressed.


https://vimeo.com/45123787


<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/45123787" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/45123787">The Pepper Spray Incident</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/davidspeck">David Speck</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[New_Zealand]

Look great!!! I'm getting ready to get the Mkiii but to be honest I haven't really seen much good footage from that camera and now thinking about the D800

[The Sarlacc]

Thanks!

I really wanted to push this camera and see what I could get away in comparison to what I've had to deal with in the past on jobs I've to use the 7D and 5Dii. And at this time I have no experience with the mkiii, but its clear to me the Nikon is a HUGE leap over what the last gen was capable of. Right now, I'm just waiting for the Atomos Ninja 2 to come out...because if the codec to the card is THAT good...than I can only imagine what 10 bit 4:2:2 will give me.

[Stephenh]

Very creative piece of film. From what I have heard, some are saying that they can not see a big difference between the H.264 to card and the prores 422 through the HDMI output. I think there has to be a difference and it will probably depend on the type of lighting/ISO. It looks like you get slightly better DR through the 10 bit 4.2.2 output.

[The Sarlacc]

I've done a TON of reading on it...and about 90% of the people making any claims towards anything have either improperly set up their recorders/cameras or are doing nothing more than looking at the footage down rezzed on their computers.

I believe the advantages are there, and they will mainly be seen in very heavy color grading as well as viewing on larger screens. Though I have watched this footage on my 40" LCD via my iPhone using airplay...and I was shocked at how impressive it looked.

Plus...for the cost of the ninja...it'll be worth it to have the external monitor...plus recording in native prores and not having to deal with transcoding footage.

[maranfilms]

looked good, My only question was did you guys crush the blacks in post, or did it shoot with that baked in desaturated crushed look? And did you crush the blacks that hard to hide noise. Just curious because I wasnt seeing any detail in the shadows, but that could be the crappy laptop im on.

[Stephenh]

Plus...for the cost of the ninja...it'll be worth it to have the external monitor...plus recording in native prores and not having to deal with transcoding footage.

I still think that you will see an overall quality increase through the HDMI output. I agree that the Ninja is a good option, I went with the BM Shuttle 2, but both pretty much give you the same result. The advantage of the Ninja is the display and dual battery setup. If you already have an external HD monitor, it's probably a higher res than the ninja display. Still waiting for my D800, probably another 7-10 days.

[The Sarlacc]

looked good, My only question was did you guys crush the blacks in post, or did it shoot with that baked in desaturated crushed look? And did you crush the blacks that hard to hide noise. Just curious because I wasnt seeing any detail in the shadows, but that could be the crappy laptop im on.

The look was done all done in post. I shot with the standard "look" settings in the camera which was much more colorful with a tad more shadow detail. Nothing was down to hide noise or otherwise.

If this had been done on a 7D...it would have been WAY noisier and the image would have not held up to the grading.

[The Sarlacc]

I looked into all the option. The Pix 220, the ki pro mini, the BM shuttle 2, the ninja 2

I have a friend with the ninja one...and for the cost you just can't beat it.

The shuttle is by the least expensive unit, but as you mentioned, I don't have another external monitor. And the one I would buy is the TV logic...which is 1200....so for 1000 I can have the ninja 2, and for a simple framing monitor I don't necessarily a higher res monitor...though it would be nice.

Also...I can't remember...but the BM doesn't record to prores, just avid.

[Stephenh]

Also...I can't remember...but the BM doesn't record to prores, just avid.

You are correct that the Shuttle 2 does not record prores. It can record uncompressed 10 bit 4.2.2 or Avid DNxHD in QT wrapper, very similar to Prores which plays well with FCP. Yes, if you don't already have an external monitor the Ninja is a good option. The other area I like about the Shuttle 2 is you have both SDI and HDMI in/out which gives multiple connection options because of the crossover pass through.

Anyway depending on your work flow and existing equipment list either of these devices are a great option including the Pix 220 which I believe is a higher price option.