Canon 5D Mark II Training DVD available

NoahK

NoahK

Hottie Mod


Hi folks-

Many of you have read about or chatted with Philip Bloom here on the forum and seen his great work with the 5D Mark II. Philip has created a training DVD that offers all of his tips and tricks gained from shooting the 5D.

Topics include:
  • Equipment Shopping Lists
  • Lens Selection
  • Follow Focus
  • Using a Monitor
  • Dealing with Skew
  • Variable ND filters
  • Sound
  • DOF Control
  • Shooting Handheld
  • Matte boxes
  • Transcoding and changing frame rate with Compressor
  • and more

As soon as I saw this disc I was so impressed that I cut a deal with Philip to offer it on Call Box. So if you're interested, please check it out:

http://www.callboxlive.com/products/canon-5d-dvd

thanks,
Noah
 
That looks like a brilliant product, congratulations to everyone involved! Bloom's footage is the reason I made the jump to video DSLRs so early.

Any plans to do a DVD for the GH1? I'd especially like to see a guide to vintage c-mount lenses for the GH1, they're so tricky to find and identify but there are some absolute gems out there.
 
A 7D version is supposed to be out end of the month.

And this is where I say stop the bullshit. I mean, COME ON. Are you guys really that stupid that you have to buy a learning DVD for 120 US$??? Not to mention the regular price is 175 US$!

Most from what you can learn from such DVDs can be picked up by yourself and right here is a great community where you can ask for help and advise.

I think it's a big rip off, bad value. Sorry Philip, but that's what it is.
 
I don't think it's bad value, it depends who you are.

We have access to a wealth of info on here and a pretty amazing community. But we have to spend a lot of time (okay most of it's enjoyable spare time) and a lot of effort getting the knowledge we need.

I don't see any harm in a skilled pro putting together a DVD with all the knowledge he's learnt over such a long time and at great expense. That the whole package seems to be done extremely well is also to their credit.

Yeah it's a lot of money for a DVD, but that amount of money to someone who can take that knowledge and turn it into a business is worth potentially millions.

See it depends on the individual. It's not a rip off for all. As long as Bloom and co. continue to post stuff for free and to contribute for free to the community, I don't mind the pros making a bit of money from stuff like this.

If that DVD enables a business or a career to get started, then what price for a 'life'? It's worth more than $120 that's for sure.
 
You can't say it's a ripoff or bad value until you've seen it. $120 is pennies for someone who makes $800/day or more, to learn even just one good trick. If it's just elementary stuff on there then maybe you'd be justified in criticizing it, but if it actually teaches you how to shoot and get Philip Bloom-style results, are you seriously saying you wouldn't pay $120 to now be as good as Philip Bloom???

(not saying that his disc teaches that, I don't know, I haven't seen it -- I'm just pointing out one of many scenarios where it could easily be worth the money).

With that said, when/if I do a 7D disc, it's not going to cost anywhere near $120 -- well, unless Philip sells a million of these, proving that people are happy to pay $120 for one. If that's the case, I might set mine at $120 as well. :D
 
I doubt that someone who seriously wants to start a career in videography/film making is starting with zero knowledge and will spit out that kind of money.
I disagree that you have to spend hours or as Philip says in his sales copy, maybe even days or weeks to learn something useful by reading up information on the net.
There is so much refined information and to the point that you really don't have to search and read for hours. And the most things can be picked up by yourself, trying.

Obviously this DVD is not meant for people who already have some knowledge about the topic. It's meant for the absolute beginner who doesn't even understand the terms aperture, iso etc. There is a trend going on right now and more and more people want to make movies (but just for fun, only a small percentage will ever make a career out of it) and I have the feeling that the DVD is preying on those people.

Why does it have to be so expensive? If you really want to help people sell it at a reasonable price.
 
"preying"? That's an ugly word.

Look, the training DVD market is miniscule. Tiny. You don't exactly go out and sell tens of thousands of these. And it costs money to put one together. I've got one coming that I've already spent ... I don't even want to think of what I've spent on it. Let's say that many people in this country work an entire YEAR and earn less than what it's cost me to put this disc together. I will literally have to sell a thousand of them just to break even. And if you think it's easy to sell a thousand discs -- please let me know the secret!

It's true that the higher you price your product, the fewer you sell. But if that's the price point that Philip and his business partners have decided is sustainable and what they need, then so be it -- if you don't like the price point, just don't buy it. They're not "preying" on anyone, they're offering a product for sale. Those who think it's worth the money will buy it, and hopefully be very happy with it. Those who don't think it's worth it, will pass on it.
 
Barry_Green said:
You can't say it's a ripoff or bad value until you've seen it. $120 is pennies for someone who makes $800/day or more, to learn even just one good trick. If it's just elementary stuff on there then maybe you'd be justified in criticizing it, but if it actually teaches you how to shoot and get Philip Bloom-style results, are you seriously saying you wouldn't pay $120 to now be as good as Philip Bloom???

(not saying that his disc teaches that, I don't know, I haven't seen it -- I'm just pointing out one of many scenarios where it could easily be worth the money).

With that said, when/if I do a 7D disc, it's not going to cost anywhere near $120 -- well, unless Philip sells a million of these, proving that people are happy to pay $120 for one. If that's the case, I might set mine at $120 as well. :D
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Look Barry, that's the big misconception I find. I don't think that a professional who makes 800$ a day comes from a background where he learned the things he knows from a DVD! Most professionals I know either went to a school, learned all by themselves or a combination of both. I don't know a single one who told me, hey I bought this DVD and it made a pro out of me.

And what is the Philip Bloom style please? Sorry, if you mean shallow depth of field images (Sophias people for instance) that is the P.B. style then I have to ask how is that his style? Or that he portraits people. Like he invented this kind of shooting. Don't get me wrong, I've seen a lot of his videos, I like them too. But why would anyone copy another persons style rather than find something own? Why do I need to buy a DVD to replicate other peoples work? It's stupid. I want to create my own visions, translate my own style to imagery.

Anyway. I just want to make clear, I have not seen the DVD and will not see it. I am sure the content is very well made. I am only criticizing the price as I see it a product aimed at a beginner who has know idea about the subject and I am criticizing the product as such because it is advertised as if you would have to read up ages to learn this by yourself.

To every beginner I would suggest, pick up your new camera and the handbook. Go out and just start shooting. The handbook will help you understand some basic things like aperture, iso etc. If you need deeper understanding you can easily read up on the forum and ask other users for advice. I think the learning process can be so much more rewarding when you learn something by yourself but that is me.

Here is the table of contents.

Chapter 1 - The Evolution of the Canon 5D MK II
Chapter 2 – Philip Bloom’s 5D MK II History
Chapter 3 - Shooting with the 5D MKII
Chapter 4 – What Kit do you Need
Chapter 5 – Setting up the camera to shoot video
Chapter 6 – Setting your ISO
Chapter 7 – Getting the best in camera picture style
Chapter 8 – Getting the correct exposure
Chapter 9 – Lenses
Chapter 10 - Lens Discipline
Chapter 11 – Using a macro extension tube
Chapter 12 – The matte box
Chapter 13 – Follow Focus
Chapter 14 – Using a video monitor
Chapter 15 – Mono pod & Viewfinder
Chapter 16 – Variable ND filters
Chapter 17 – The IS lens
Chapter 18 – Shooting Handheld
Chapter 19 – Avoiding the “Jello” effect
Chapter 20 – Shutter Speed
Chapter 21 – Getting the depth of field YOU want using the fader/vari ND
Chapter 22 – Shutter speed in artificial light
Chapter 23 – Sound
Chapter 24 – Best way to learn? Go out and shoot
 
I think it's fair to say you would not be a customer for this product. I also think it's fair to say that there are many people who will be.

Fine, it's said, so now we can move on.
 
Barry_Green said:
"preying"? That's an ugly word.

Look, the training DVD market is miniscule. Tiny. You don't exactly go out and sell tens of thousands of these. And it costs money to put one together. I've got one coming that I've already spent ... I don't even want to think of what I've spent on it. Let's say that many people in this country work an entire YEAR and earn less than what it's cost me to put this disc together. I will literally have to sell a thousand of them just to break even. And if you think it's easy to sell a thousand discs -- please let me know the secret!

It's true that the higher you price your product, the fewer you sell. But if that's the price point that Philip and his business partners have decided is sustainable and what they need, then so be it -- if you don't like the price point, just don't buy it. They're not "preying" on anyone, they're offering a product for sale. Those who think it's worth the money will buy it, and hopefully be very happy with it. Those who don't think it's worth it, will pass on it.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, Barry you're right. And I wasn't really serious about that preying thing. I came out too strong. I just still don't see why a learning DVD for a beginner needs to be priced in such high regions.
It is the wrong way. This product is aimed at the beginner, a typical beginner does not want to spend 120$ on such a product. Sell it for half of that and I assure you that it will pay off for both buyers and the seller.

On another note. When you say the DVD you make cost you more than what other people earn in a year. Would you care to explain?
I assume you are calculating the hour rate you usually would charge for a job and then you come to said cost. Is that right?
Because if so, then I say it's a milk maids calculation. It's like when the industry says piracy makes them loose millions, only if you watch closely you will see that if people wouldn't download films illegally they certainly wouldn't buy all the films that they download.
So when you calculate your own time it's not really a cost factor.
If I did such a DVD I would do it in my spare time and I would only do it if I'd enjoy to do it. So to me it wouldn't be really a cost factor, but again, that's me :)

Anyway, I don't want to step on peoples toes here anymore than necessary, don't wanna get stoned :)
 
youngindiefilms said:
I just still don't see why a learning DVD for a beginner needs to be priced in such high regions.
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Yet that's what's great about the free market -- if it's priced too high, nobody will buy it. The market will take care of itself. It doesn't need anyone detracting from the value of the product, especially when said reviewer hasn't even seen it!

Now, if you'd actually seen the product and felt that it was way overpriced, that would be within your rights to say, as a reviewer. But to just blindside it and proclaim that it's not worth it? That's just not fair.

This product is aimed at the beginner, a typical beginner does not want to spend 120$ on such a product. Sell it for half of that and I assure you that it will pay off for both buyers and the seller.
Click to expand...
Are you in the business of selling training DVDs? How can you make such an assurance?

On another note. When you say the DVD you make cost you more than what other people earn in a year. Would you care to explain?
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Not really, as it's my own business I'm talking about, but no, I'm not talking about hourly wages or anything like that. I'm talking about cash expenditures, checks I have written (and still have yet to write). And I'm not talking about what CEOs earn in a year, but what many people do. These things are not free to produce. At least, the way we do them, they're not free to produce.

So when you calculate your own time it's not really a cost factor.
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It most certainly is, or absolutely should be! Anyone who doesn't value their time in what they're doing is a fool and is soon to be out of business. If you're doing it as a hobby, fine... but for those of us for whom it is a business, not paying yourself is a foolish mistake that guarantees you'll get burnt out and quit. It's just bad business. I absolutely wouldn't be doing this if I couldn't get my time reimbursed from eventual sales! But I did not factor in my own time in the original statement about "a year's salary"; that was just in factoring the checks and cash I've paid to people so far and have agreed to pay to others for their work on the project.
 
My main profession is in the trading business and I have also produced products so I know one or two things about that. I don't have to see the DVD in order to know that it's overpriced. I can get all this information for free without spending a lifetime to read up by myself, period.

It is of course your right not to share about your own business. But I really am curious, if it is not your own time you are calculating, what is it? Don't tell me producing the DVD cost a year's salary. And we are not talking about a feature film here, there are no special effects, you don't have to pay locations (and if you do, sorry, but then you're stupid).
We are talking about a learning DVD. You can shoot it in the backyard, on a playground, out in the woods. You explain how to operate a camera. You're not building a film set... what am I missing here?

Btw. I never said you shouldn't pay yourself. On the contrary. You get paid when you have successfully produced a good product that sells!
 
youngindiefilms said:
I don't have to see the DVD in order to know that it's overpriced.
Click to expand...
Overpriced FOR YOU, perhaps. But that is only one opinion, not an empirical statement of fact.

I can get all this information for free without spending a lifetime to read up by myself, period.
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If you haven't seen what's on the disc, then I submit that it's possible that no, you cannot. If Philip talks about stuff that isn't readily accessible out there, for example. And even if he does, what's your time worth? If someone makes $30/hr, then this disc might easily be worth it to them because they would only have four hours to hunt down all this information. Can everything on this disc be found in a four-hour google session by a total newbie? Probably not.

But I really am curious, if it is not your own time you are calculating, what is it? Don't tell me producing the DVD cost a year's salary.
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How can you possibly tell me, a veteran of this industry for many many years, what my disc did or didn't cost? That's profoundly presumptuous!

And we are not talking about a feature film here, there are no special effects, you don't have to pay locations (and if you do, sorry, but then you're stupid).
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Stupid? Dude, first of all that's ... so out of line it's ridiculous. Second, I insist on paying people who work for me, nobody works for free. It may be low pay, but it's pay nonetheless. If I'm doing a for-profit project, I will not finance it off donated labor or donated locations. I'm not going to take advantage of people for my own gain.

Secondly, you have no idea what's on my disc -- there may very well be feature film style shots, there may very well be special effects, there is certainly a LOT of post work on them. And all that stuff needs to be paid for.

We are talking about a learning DVD. You can shoot it in the backyard, on a playground, out in the woods. You explain how to operate a camera. You're not building a film set... what am I missing here?
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Clearly you haven't seen my sound disc. It is not shot in a back yard or a playground. It's shot in a greenscreen studio, and in maybe two dozen different locations, there's a substantial crew involved, there are over a dozen actors, there are multiple skits and scenes, there was air travel and hotel involved for getting to the St. Louis crew, there's equipment rental and (yes) location fees and food and graphics design and hundreds of hours of post work, and even the process of manufacturing the disc itself costs a couple thousand dollars... it all adds up. To a lot.

I don't have any idea what Bloom's disc is like. But I assume it's a bit more than him standing in his backyard. But even if it is -- that still doesn't mean it's not worth the price, to the customer. To some people, lunch with Donald Trump or Bill Gates or Warren Buffit might be worth $2500 a plate. To others, they might say "it's lunch! It's a hamburger and fries, it's $6.00, anything more than that is stupid!" To each his own.
 
Thank you Barry. I was going to write along the same lines but you've said it much more eloquently that I was going to. I personally think this DVD is worth every penny coming from it as a consumer and as someone who's made several training DVDs. That's why I cut a deal with Philip to resell his course the moment I saw it. You get what you pay for.

Noah
 
youngindiefilms said:
Don't tell me producing the DVD cost a year's salary. And we are not talking about a feature film here, there are no special effects, you don't have to pay locations (and if you do, sorry, but then you're stupid).
We are talking about a learning DVD. You can shoot it in the backyard, on a playground, out in the woods. You explain how to operate a camera. You're not building a film set... what am I missing here?
Click to expand...

I don't think you've been exposed to the right educational DVDs. I've paid $300+ for training DVDs multiple times and thought it was a bargain.

Also, to say that this particular 5Dmk2 DVD is overpriced is ignorant. It may indeed be terrible, but you have absolutely no idea.
 
Barry why are you comparing your sound DVD with Philips course? It's not the same thing. Obviously if you rent a studio, pay actors etc. you have high cost. My comment was in regard of producing a learning DVD where you explain how to use a camera. Noah, since you are selling the DVD I assume you must have seen it? Are there a army of actors in it, film sets and such? I'm really tempted to buy the thing to proove Barry wrong.

I've seen the table of contents and what you will learn from the DVD and I know I can get this info all for free. Period. It's not a miracle or magic to google things up. Read up on DVX User and other forums. Hell, there are even dedicated websites for film making with a 5D Mark II that take you by the hand and explain how to use it. That's a fact and it is presumptuous of you to say I cannot learn or read that info up by myself.
And please don't say again how much is your time worth because a beginner who will learn from the DVD is in no position to charge anyone 30$ or any money if he has no skills or knowledge or experience.

I can see how people who sell or plan to sell such products don't like it if someone says something about the product they don't like. But if you can't take critique best don't play the game.
Anyway, I simply stated my opinion, I am free to do so, you can like it or not. Have a nice life.
 
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What are you critiquing exactly? You haven't even seen the thing, so how is anything you are saying more than presumptuous and opinionated at best?

Anyways... there is an appropriate way to express yourself here, and I'm tired so I don't feel like being patient with you.

Read the forum guidelines and when you can learn to express yourself in a more courteous and respectful manner to the members of this board, then try again.

Until then....

Later,
Jason
 
I think it is often very interesting that people compare the price of such a DVD/book with all these free resources (been there, people compared the price of my e-books with my free web content). Then they study Philip Blooms free offerings. Kind of ironic.

I think Philip has a lot to offer.

Also Barry is right, these don't sell like Harry Potter and even some hours of work saved maybe worth it.
 
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