FS7: Short doc, shot in the Arctic on an FS7

bengiles said:
One other note - all handheld material was shot on the 18-105 with IS activated. Much hated by internet chatters and lots of blah blah about pincushion distortion.

But for me, it has proven to be a thoroughly respectable workhorse lens, it's worked in all sorts of conditions, gives good results in 4K and I just can't bring myself to replace it with anything else. Also, the new firmware has made it feel more like a regular mechanical lens.

Ben.
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Hah! I just recently posted something talking up the IS on that lens. Fully zoomed in and shots are remarkable stable with it. Makes you feel like a handheld champ. I find that for certain applications there is nothing like the Sony 18-105mm. The diminutive size means you can easily carry it in a pouch on your waist. It is par focal. You can perform remarkably slow / creeping zooms with it and also some nice snap zooms. Considering the relatively low price of the Sony 18-105mm, no reason not to have one in your kit. It has been a lifesaver for EPK work. I used it in a raining mud situation without worry of ruining a $2000 zoom. It seems to be well weather-sealed.
 
Why does it seem like the Brit camera peeps get all the cool documentary jobs in exotic locations??

I need to work on a British accent and start going by "Nigel" or "Alistair". :happy:

Love the fact that, with all the obsession over pricey glass like the Otus, Ben reminded us that you can do beautiful work with a lens that is selling for around £38 / $50 on ebay.
 
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Beautiful documentary! Lovely imagery and a great reminder to sometimes just ignore those online lens reviews haha. I always like to ask what went into making the choice on how to place your talent and decided on their eyeline and shot composition for the interview shot?
 
ReelFilmGeek said:
Beautiful documentary! Lovely imagery and a great reminder to sometimes just ignore those online lens reviews haha. I always like to ask what went into making the choice on how to place your talent and decided on their eyeline and shot composition for the interview shot?
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Thanks - I wanted to use natural light, as I didn't have any lighting. So that meant facing him into the external windows, angling him to allow some shadow and modelling of light across his face. I then rearranged tables behind to break things up as the focus falls off.

Eyeline - I prefer to get people to talk down the lens in these kind of films. After the initial discomfort, they usually relax and find it easier to talk with me hidden behind the camera. It also allows me to check the monitor and operate the lens without distracting them. The traditional quarter angle interview can still work if you're subliminally creating the conceit of a hidden "author" - the audience advocate who sits to the side of camera. For this kind of film, which is really a promo in a documentary style, I think a down the lens approach is more fresh stylistically and more truthful for modern audiences.

As a solo operator, it has the added benefit of freeing me up to operate the camera and not have to engage the interviewee with nods and body language.
 
JPNola said:
Love the fact that, with all the obsession over pricey glass like the Otus, Ben reminded us that you can do beautiful work with a lens that is selling for around £38 / $50 on ebay.
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I dont knock expensive glass.. but my shopping list for shooting docs like this one are far more likely to be improved by spending the money somewhere else.. getting that kit lens, day viewable monitor, more batteries, osmo, whatever.

S
 
Nice work there, Ben. I found it a very intriguing video, totally pulled me in. Great location scenery. I noticed how you didn't let camera technique distract from the subject matter. Some videos tend to distract by the "artistic" choices, like they're trying to show every gimmick shot they know, so this was refreshing in that it was straight forward, quality work.

Couldn't help but be reminded of a video clip I saw 6 years ago of this dude, Phil Coates, filming in the arctic. A real trooper. The conditions just made me pity the guy, and at one point he stops because his eyes froze.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/arctic_blog1.do


Mark
 
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