Random Gotcha - 01/03/11

Random Gotcha - 01/03/11

First gotcha of the new year. Don't let this happen to you.

These are corrupt frames resulting from a faulty 16GB RED compact flash card transfer. The media on the cards was fine but I found a few of these frames when auditing the files on the desktop after the transfer. Checked the original media on the cards and the corrupt frames were nowhere to be found. Re-transfered from the cards and the problem was solved. I've consulted a few RED gurus about this and apparently when the RED cards first come out of the camera and they're a bit hot to the touch, if you transfer right away you can get these bad frames. So f-n weird. R3D Manager will NOT alert you to these bad frames if you have them so despite the automatic checksum, the importance of auditing every single file out of the camera can't be understated. The things we learn.. 

Random Gotcha - 08/28/10

Random Gotcha - 08/28/10

Weisscam HS-2

Ride the gain! If you're seeing noise in the blacks or seeing fine, faint black lines all over the image, drop the gain until it's minimized. You'll lose some stop but the camera is already pretty fast. This is the number one complaint I've heard about the camera and if you know how to deal with this problem when it arises, you can shoot consistently clean images.

Phantom Flex is now shipping. I have some days booked with it next month and can't wait to start working with it. It's a shame the Weiss hasn't managed to snatch more of the high speed market because it's such a great system. Phantom is already synonomous with high speed videography and the Weiss has been a tough sell to producers who are already well versed in Phantom workflow. Flex being so "flex"ible may really seal the Phantom deal. We'll see what happens but I'll still be gunning for the Weisscam.

I have two main interests at this point - high speed video and stereoscopic 3D. High speed 3D? Go see the truly terrible Step Up 3D to see some otherwise incredible images.

Random Gotcha - 08/23/10

Random Gotcha - 08/23/10

If you're using Canon lenses with IS on your Canon body - make sure to turn the camera off before changing lenses. When you're in video mode and the IS is turned on, it's constantly working unlike when shooting stills where it's only on when the shutter is half pressed. Put your ear to it and you can hear the IS working indicated by a soft "grinding" sound. Canon recommends you don't change lenses when the IS is working or you can damage it. I made the mistake once and it definitely created an error with the electronics. The IS began behaving very strangely but restarting the camera with the IS off and then turning it back on a few times seemed to correct it. Either way it can't be good.

On a lens related note - I recently picked up the new 70-200 2.8L IS II. This lens is sick. So sharp and the fall off is just gorgeous. I cannot wait for the 24-70 IS. It seemed like they were going to give it to us there for awhile but all the rumor sites are now predicting it won't happen. If they're going to announce it, the Expo in NYC next week or Photokina would be the obvious venue. Fingers are crossed.    And one last thing - go check out Step Up 3D if you want to see how far you can push your audience's ocular discomfort. They really pushed it way harder than others have and the 3D was probably the most striking I've seen yet. I did however feel a little cross eyed when I left the theatre. The only saving grace was the cuts were very fast which didn't give you the time to linger and they would give you little breaks by going back to a shallower, wide shot for a few beats after very extreme shots.