1DC: Best settings for HD video

[Omar N]

Hello community,

I am about to startup a documentary project using the Canon 1DC and plan on shooting in HD, as I believe this will give me a good compromise in image quality and storage space. My question is, is there a unwritten group of settings that yield the best image in HD mode on the 1DC? I don't mind using FF or S35, but I want whatever gives me the sharpest picture and best looking image.

Is using Canon C-Log recommended for this camera when shooting in HD? If not, are there any other recommended picture quality settings?

Apologies if this has been asked and answered before. I am in a bit of a time crunch and do not have time to research much into this.

Thank you!

 

[drummondb]

You sure you want to start shooting a doc with a camera you don't know very well? I would definitely want to test these sort of things and draw my own conclusions.

That being said, I believe the consensus was that the full frame looked like the 1DX, which is said to be bit better than the 5D3. Not sure anyone actually explained how exactly it was better. Maybe not as soft as the 5D3 is thought to be?

Phillip Bloom in his review also said the super35 crop looked really good, and the 1080/60p looked soft, possibly just up-scaled 720.

If I were you, I'd change the modes base don what I'm shooting. For example, use the 4K for segments like an interview with one camera where you may want to preserve the ability of re-framing shots as needed, like cutting from a wide to a tighter angle, all with one shot. Then you can switch between full frame and super35 based on what kind of shot you want to get out of a given lens, depth of field desired, etc.

As far as picture settings, I think that has to be conversation between you and the person doing the editing and/or color grading.

 

[cpreston]

4K>S35>FullHD>60p. I would use Clog when shooting 4K. C-Log is useful in S35, but the reduced bit rate can cause problems if you have to increase the contrast a great deal. If you need the highlight protection in HD, use C-log. Otherwise, I would use neutral with zero sharpening and reduced contrast.