We finished up green screen photography for a client at Chroma Studios this week. We managed to get everything we needed on the shoot and I was very pleased with the outcome. Our talent was fantastic and we had a manageable schedule that we moved through at a good pace.
We managed to do some additional tests with our various HD cameras and I am increasingly impressed with the quality of footage that we are able to get out of a variety of capture devices. Our main camera was a Panasonic HDX900 shooting in 720p and a secondary Panasonic 200HVX. Both are fantastic, however, I did continue to shoot a variety of element tests using a Canon 5D Mark II and have continued to be impressed with the quality of the video at the price point.
The plates are noisier than what we get from the Panasonic cameras, but with the oversampling factor, the DSLRs are fantastic. This is a huge issue for keyed footage, but workable. The plates that come off the Canon in exteriors and well lit interiors are going to continue to pressure the lower end cameras coming out in the 2-3K price range.The form factor is very challenge to use, but in a studio or set environment, I think the cameras are extremely compelling.
The unlocking of the manual controls on the Canon’s has been a key element in their usefulness for pro’s and I think that we will see more accessories that help make this camera more usable in the field.
