Low on cash? Now achieving the look and feel of cinematic film from your digital DSLR or Panasonic hybrid DSLR/Video camera has never been easier or more affordable for the novice or independent filmmaker. In this article I will discuss the best and most reliable cameras for filmmakers on a tight budget, and the essential tools and software necessary to hack your camera to simulate the cinematic style of film.
1. Canon EOS Rebel (2Ti - 5Ti) DSLR - For a full review follow the link to DP Review. This site will give you a complete review featuring past and current camera and video comparisons:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-eos-700d-rebel-t5i
Panasonic (GH1 - GH2 or GH3) Micro 4/3 cameras - For a full review follow the link to DP Review. This site will give you a complete review featuring past and current camera and video comparisons: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcgh2/
2. The following lens will offer you shallow depth of field for closeups and cinematic creative background blur:
Canon 50mm f1.8 auto focus:
Leica 25mm f1.4 auto focus:
Manual Focus 50MM F1.4 (Nikon - Canon - Olympus - Takumar) needs lens mount adapter.
3. Free software and firmware updates are available to enhance the features on your DSLR or Panasonic hybrid camera. They are quick and easy applications to install safely on your memory card. Hacking your camera will improve the overall video quality, especially on the internal Microphone, ISO Sensitivity, Manual Focus Accuracy, Shutter Speed, Audio Meters, Crop Marks. The Hacked Panasonic also offers the ability to set your camera to the actual shooting environment for optimum utilization of all the GH series professional features.
Canon hack software - For a full review and setup instructions follow the link below: http://www.magiclantern.fm/
Panasonic hack software - For a full review and setup instructions follow the link below: http://osgfilms.com/hack- the-panasonic-gh2/
DSLR Video - Advanced - Hacking the Panasonic GH2 - YouTube | |
| www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF5Be2LfQDQ | |
4. Required Memory Cards - 32 or 64GB 45MPS SD or Compact Flash Card
5. Set your camera to video mode Cinema 24FPS - Color (Neutral) - Contrast (-2) - Shutter Speed (50) - ISO (max 640) - AVCHD.
6. Camera recommendations: I like the Panasonic GH series auto focus, resolution, microphone, size and weight more than the Canon EOS Rebel Ti series.
"What makes the Panasonic GH2 so special? This camera is unique in that
it is a hybrid camera offering professional quality for both video and
photography all in one body. The camera’s chip offers the best video
quality a DSLR can deliver today and to make matters more attractive
with the use of certain enhancements the camera well exceeds the image
quality of far more expensive cameras aimed at the professional market.
Besides producing more detail than the
average dslr the Panasonic gh2 has no moiré and aliasing issues like the Canon crowd suffers and boosts a higher quality imagery offering more
resolvable detail in both its 720p and 1080p resolution choices. With the hack it is able to resolve more detail in the 1080p mode
than the other options under $5,000 and competes with the $5,000 market."
The Panasonic will offer better dedicated video tracking than any DSLR currently available. You can purchase the GH1 used for a third of the price of the GH3, with minimal differences in video and audio output quality. The Canon EOS Rebel pricing, availability and equipped with a high quality lens also makes it an incredible option that can be hacked as well.
Now
that you have bought or rented your equipment it is time to hack your
operating system and add many of the features only available on
professional quality cameras costing several thousand dollars. This
software and firmware update is stored on your memory card and will not
damage your camera, it is also completely free. Simply download, install the software and begin shooting.
In our next issue we will review three video editing software applications (iMovie - Final Cut and Adobe Premiere), guaranteed to give even the novice filmmaker excellent results in minimal time with reasonable start up cost.
Really interesting, tony. I've heard about hacking cameras, but haven't really read anything more in-depth on it. seems like there is still a significant up front cost for even the minimal equipment. true? and how significant would you say the quality difference is. is it noticeable say on a you tube video? larger screen?
ReplyDeleteFor a basic setup you can be up and running for under $500.00 with quality used or refurbished equipment. The quality is almost equal to the high end Canon 5DMK2 depending on your light source. All quality levels degrade once we make them low resolution to fit on YouTube or Vimeo. But while viewing your work rendered in high definition the quality is amazing. Good luck!
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