Canon 5D Mark II + Dynamic Range + Front Street Maui

kprince

kprince

Well-known member


In this clip I just wanted to see what I could do as far as eeeking out as much "perceived" dynamic range as possible. I think one of the things that makes video look like video sometimes is the punchy out-of-camera contrast.

This clip was shot at about 12 noon with just about the worst natural lighting that natural lighting will produce. I set the contrast to 0 and the saturation to 1. In Premiere I played with the channel mixer to taste. I also made some small adjustments to the Luma and Gamma. Finally, I added some noise.

So I've been watching a lot of Blu-ray DVD's lately and one thing I noticed is NOISE and lots of it. I think in the still photo world everyone wants to get rid of it and it's trickled into the video world. I prefer my 5D2 footage with noise as it definitely gives it some texture and filmyness..

This is Maui's Front Street in Lahaina town. Filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants it's probably one of the busiest places on Maui. On Halloween the entire street is shut down for the 40,000 + costumed bodies that fill the streets.. Anyways, hope you enjoy this little trek through a Maui hot spot.

Tech :
Cam : 5D Mark II @ F8
Lens : Old Nikon 20mm + eBay adapter
Filter : Schneider optics 4X4 circular polariser and 1/2 stop graduated neutral density filter.
Sound : an almost inaudible Zoom H4n recording at -30db
Cam on a tripod in the back of my Ford Expedition with the glass open. Tripod is lightly ratchet strapped down to create artificial weight, ( ghetto, i know ), effective ? very. I sat in the car recording for a min or two till I saw a subject that would at least be of some interest before taking off. My love for bikes had me pull out in front of these two. Keep an eye out for about 2/3'rds of the way through the song, 4 items pass by the frame in perfect sync with the music, it's kinda funny and a complete coincidence.

love and aloha, Kalani-
 
Last edited:
Looks brilliant.

I like the way the sky is so detailed and the overall colour is very cinematic.

I've noticed this with 5D stills - the dynamic range is a lot greater than on the GH1 which I also own, and so I am wondering if it's possible to achieve the same thing in software with the GH1 to that standard. I haven't decided yet which camera to keep. It's no slam dunk for the 5D.

Did you set any in-camera settings on the 5D to achieve the look or is it all 100% post stuff?
 
commanderspike said:
Looks brilliant.

I like the way the sky is so detailed and the overall colour is very cinematic.

I've noticed this with 5D stills - the dynamic range is a lot greater than on the GH1 which I also own, and so I am wondering if it's possible to achieve the same thing in software with the GH1 to that standard. I haven't decided yet which camera to keep. It's no slam dunk for the 5D.

Did you set any in-camera settings on the 5D to achieve the look or is it all 100% post stuff?
Click to expand...

In camera I just took the contrast all the way down as well as the saturation down to -1 or 1 bar of saturation, you know what I mean.. One of the biggest factors in why this shot worked is because I exposed for the road and not the sky. I cut the sky down with a graduated neutral density filter. It's probably one of the least talked about filters but is KEY in making shots with midday sky expose properly.
Basically all it did for me was cut the amout of light entering the camera on the top 1/3 of the image by a 2/3 of a stop. Otherwise the 5D wouldn't have been able to properly render the sky exposure.
 
shiny4 said:
hi,
wich kind and amount of noise do you have applyed on the footage?
is better noise or grain?
i have read this:
http://www.iris-digital.org/wordpress/?p=806
Click to expand...

I just add the bundled "noise" filter in premiere I usually set it from 4 to 6 depending on the scene.

noise, grain, it's all the same to me, I just want something that adds a bit of texture to the shot.

Just make sure the noise or grain is active and not stationary as that looks very bad...
 
What grad exactly did you use? I heard 0.6 Grad NDs and attenuators are the big two to carry in your kit. But you said you used a 2/3 stop grad? Isn't that about a 1.5ND?

kprince said:
I just want something that adds a bit of texture to the shot.
Click to expand...

Yes. The way I see it is that grain or noise gives as you say a texture that is shared throughout the whole image, which ties in different textures that would otherwise not match at all, bringing unity to all parts of the frame. That coupled with a cool grade like you added and you got a distinctive look that gives you the feeling of "an other world" or whatever you want to describe it as, a story, a new place.

Again, good job on this little piece. I really like the look.
 
Last edited:
USLatin said:
What grad exactly did you use? I heard 0.6 Grad NDs and attenuators are the big two to carry in your kit. But you said you used a 2/3 stop grad? Isn't that about a 1.5ND?



Yes. The way I see it is that grain or noise gives as you say a texture that is shared throughout the whole image, which ties in different textures that would otherwise not match at all, bringing unity to all parts of the frame. That coupled with a cool grade like you added and you got a distinctive look that gives you the feeling of "an other world" or whatever you want to describe it as, a story, a new place.

Again, good job on this little piece. I really like the look.
Click to expand...
you are right, I think I had a .06 on there. But .06 is 2 stops. I'm confused now as to which filter I had on there. I think I had the polariser + a 1/3 stop.. argghh, now I'm gonna be up all night.. Anyhow, it doesn't really matter as you can manipulate the exposure with iso, shutter, and fstop. I knew I wanted to shoot at around F8 and definitely be at 50th shutter. I think my polariser cuts 2stops when at full polarization which it just about was. so I guess I would have had a .03 or less ND on the cam. I need a note book ! Anyways, you get the picture..
 
kprince said:
you are right, I think I had a .06 on there. But .06 is 2 stops. I'm confused now as to which filter I had on there. I think I had the polariser + a 1/3 stop.. argghh, now I'm gonna be up all night.. Anyhow, it doesn't really matter as you can manipulate the exposure with iso, shutter, and fstop. I knew I wanted to shoot at around F8 and definitely be at 50th shutter. I think my polariser cuts 2stops when at full polarization which it just about was. so I guess I would have had a .03 or less ND on the cam. I need a note book ! Anyways, you get the picture..
Click to expand...

LOL... who cares, you made the right choice obviously cause you got the sky nice and thick and you can't see the grad. :)
 
USLatin said:
LOL... who cares, you made the right choice obviously cause you got the sky nice and thick and you can't see the grad. :)
Click to expand...

Haha, yeah, I agree. I've always been one to research the heck out of every little facet of every little detail of any potential workflow before the fact. Then when I'm there, it all goes out the door. I'll play, experiment, duct tape, strap down.., whatever it takes to create what's in my head. love and aloha !
 
>4X6 graduated ND...

Mattbox or holder?


>What is the name of that song. I know the sound but not the title/artist.

Any help here?
 
ustein said:
>4X6 graduated ND...

Mattbox or holder?


>What is the name of that song. I know the sound but not the title/artist.

Any help here?
Click to expand...

The filter holder is made by LEE. and the song is just something I had in my "random stuffs" folder. no title..
 
>The filter holder is made by LEE.

Ok I have this including the mattbox. But it makes the camera quite bulky if you like to photograph and shoot video.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top