How do pro 7D users cope without ML for video?

F

flamenco boy

Member
Hi, it seems to me that Magic Lantern provides some arguably essential pro tools for video such as zebras, false color and peaking etc,
I'm just wondering how 7D users cope on professional jobs without this stuff- for example how do you ensure good exposure?- do you
buy or hire in a good HD monitor with false color?, just wondering as some of the cheaper cameras Eg. T2i, 60D, 600D almost seem
more professional tools with ML- I'm considering getting a 7D but lack of these tools is frustrating given that it's more expensive.

Cheers all!
 
well its more expensive because its a pro stills camera that offers more features for the pro photographer. if its frustrating you then get the less expensive cams.

re: exposing before i got my Zacuto evf I exposed using the histogram and the light meter. You do what you have to do. just learn your tools and its fine.
 
Zebras are great to have but it's not hard to get a good exposure with just the built-in metering. Also you can always grab an outboard monitor with features like peaking, highlight etc.

Noah
 
By eye.... and by camera meter.

"Coping" is such a strong word.

People shot with film camera's for years and years and made movies just fine without zebras and such.
 
I don't use the zebras in ML, they are super ugly. I always use the histogram, and you can just snap off an exposure and get a histogram reading on the 7D.
 
draven4 said:
By eye.... and by camera meter.

"Coping" is such a strong word.

People shot with film camera's for years and years and made movies just fine without zebras and such.
Click to expand...

+1000


Also after shooting for so long, you just know. A good way to judge is the skies, white shirts & honestly you should underexpose just a little bit. Not always perfect, but this is the reason you shoot a lot. Ultimately though having an external monitor with those features is truly helpful.
 
For a lot of us the 7D was the first "affordable" video capable camera that gave us full manual control over all settings in video mode. Spending half a lifetime as a working professional photographer, I, like most others learned exposure both theoretical and practical by exposure meter and experience long before even hearing about "zebras" and "peaking".

The built in meter, histogram, and a good viewfinder loupe are more than enough.
 
LCDVF's seem to do people well. But I do enjoy having zebras and not spending time on a DIY or money (at least $70) on a real viewfinder.
 
by eye, meter, and contrast on scene. I underexpose too. I do like the HD out to my Monitor. Great for focusing and framing. LCD is just too small sometimes.

Only time I had to cope with anything on the 7D was trying to shoot low shots and not being able to easily see my shot. I got a monitor.
 
I think thats the big difference, you 7d guys have 1080 out while recording so you can use monitors much more readily. For me a monitor is a large investment that doesnt really have as much use since i can't use it for pulling focus or anything like that. Thats sorta the trade off i guess.
 
I work as a DP too. I had a lot of Directors asking for a monitor and it was an large investment for me, but worth it. I'm very happy with a 7D.
 
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