Magic Lantern does it again - continuous RAW video from the Canon 5D Mark III!

Andrew Reid at eoshd shot this video on his 5D Mark III with new pre-beta test software from Magic Lantern:



This is very big news - RAW video from a $3300 hybrid still/video camera body. If Magic Lantern can turn this into production software and releases it for free, it is a real game-changer.

First, it undermines the price of the $12,000 Canon 1D C Cinema EOS camera. If this free software upgrade becomes widely available for the 5D Mark III, Canon 1D C sales will likely dry up.

Second, it threatens the use-case for the 2.5K RAW $2995 Blackmagic Cinema Camera, which is yet to ship in large numbers.

The question becomes, would you rather buy a $3299 full frame Canon Mark III still/video camera that is in stock right now and upgrade it to RAW with free software - or would you rather order a $2995 video-only RAW Blackmagic Cinema Camera with a micro 4/3 sized sensor that might ship sometime in the next few months?

I know what I would do.

New Panasonic G6 - contender for the GH2's video crown?

Julian at DIGIFOTO PRO has posted a comparison video between the "hacked" GH2 and the upcoming Panasonic G6. The G6 has a mic jack, the same sensor as the GH2, and shoots at 1080/60p.

For $749 with the kit lens (and less without?), the G6 could be a great GH2 replacement for shooters who can't afford a GH3 (even though used GH3 prices are coming down ).

Here is the comparison video (please watch at 1080p):


And here is a side by side that includes a shot of shingled roofs - a good test of a camera's susceptibility to moire (again, please watch at 1080p):


The good news is that the G6 seems to be as moire-resistant as the GH2 and the Nikon D5200/D7100! The bad news is that it won't be available until June. If you can wait until then, please support the blog by pre-ordering it from Amazon here :)

UPDATE: Great news - according to Panasonic, the G6 uses the DMW-BLC12 battery, the same battery used by the FZ200, the G5 and the GH2.  So all of you GH2 upgraders can keep your existing batteries!

Feature Film "Upstream Color" - Shot on Panasonic GH2 - Now in Theaters and on Amazon Instant Video!

I highly recomment Upstream Color, a feature film from all-in-one writer/director/DP/actor Shane Carruth shot on the Panasonic GH2 and now playing at your local theater!

Time Magazine's piece on this film asks if it is "One of the Best Films Ever Made?"

Here is the trailer:




If you can't make it to the theater, or it's not playing near you, you can buy or rent it on Amazon Instant Video.

If you prefer physical media, you can get it on DVD or DVD and Blu Ray.

And if you want to buy a GH2 and make your own movie, there are still a few left at Amazon and eBay :)

Shane is distributing the film himself instead of selling it to a studio - so more of the dollars you spend at the box office or at Amazon go to a fellow indie hybrid still/video camera shooter, and not to big Hollywood.  Pretty cool.

I'll say it again - this is a great time to be a filmmaker!

UPDATE: Box Office Mojo reports that Upstream Color has grossed $401,200 as of today!  We don't know how big the production budget was on this film, but if it was anything like the $7000 he spent on Primer, this is very good news for Shane and for the indie community.

I haven't seen the film yet, but plan to get over to Berkeley to see it this week.  I'll keep you posted.

Best Professional Compact System Camera for 2013 - Panasonic GH3!

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), an association of the top photography magazines in the United Kingdom,  has named the Panasonic GH3 the "Best CSC Professional" for 2013.

The award says,

"The 16MP Live MOS sensor in the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH3 boasts sensitivity up to ISO 12,800 with +1EV push capability. Sophisticated noise filtration and suppression and a newly designed low-pass filter provides further enhancement of low light shooting results. Utilizing Contrast AF, the camera boasts improved AF performance along with faster start-up and shorter shutter time lag. The 100% coverage, 3-inch 16:9 Live View finder has a brilliant 1744k dot; there is also an articulated OLED rear view monitor (180 degrees to the side and 270-degrees up and down). A magnesium alloy, full die cast frame and splash-proof/dustproof seals are among the other impressive specs."

Full text of Panasonic Press Release on its 2013 TIPA awards after the jump.

Even though the award principally recognizes the GH3 as a still camera - its lightning fast autofocus and ability to create high quality, low-noise images at high ISOs are pretty useful for filmmaking too.

You can get 2013's "best professional CSC camera" for $1298 at Amazon, Adorama or at Samy's via eBay

 

Panasonic Awarded Prestigious Industry Accolades for its Digital Imaging Products

Panasonic Wins Two Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards

Panasonic today announced that it has been awarded two prestigious 2013 TIPA awards, widely recognized as one of the most coveted photo and imaging awards worldwide. Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-GH3 has been awarded ‘Best CSC Professional’ and the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FT5(TS5) ‘Best Rugged Compact Camera’.

Laurent Abadie, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Europe said, “We go to great lengths to ensure our digital imaging products deliver the best possible photographic experiences and we provide a wide range of memory cards for all storage and usage needs. It is great to see our efforts rewarded with such industry accolades and we’re honored to again be recognized by the respected international journalists that judge the TIPA awards.”

LUMIX DMC-GH3 for Best CSC Professional

Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-GH3, the camera for the serious photographer looking to take their professional videography to the next level with a portable interchangeable lens camera, was named ‘Best CSC Professional’, following Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-GX1 winning the ‘Best Advanced Compact System Camera’ last year.

A TIPA jury spokesperson commented: “The 16MP Live MOS sensor in the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH3 boasts sensitivity up to ISO 12,800 with +1EV push capability. Sophisticated noise filtration and suppression and a newly designed low-pass filter provides further enhancement of low light shooting results. Utilizing Contrast AF, the camera boasts improved AF performance along with faster start-up and shorter shutter time lag. The 100% coverage, 3-inch 16:9 Live View finder has a brilliant 1744k dot; there is also an articulated OLED rear view monitor (180 degrees to the side and 270-degrees up and down.) A magnesium alloy, full die cast frame and splash-proof/dustproof seals are among the other impressive specs.

LUMIX DMC-FT5(TS5) for Best Rugged Compact Camera

Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-FT5(TS5), the camera for the adventurous photographer demanding the ultimate tough still and video shooting, was named ‘Best Rugged Compact Camera’ following in the footsteps of the LUMIX DMC-FT3(TS3) which came top of this category in 2011.

A TIPA jury spokesperson commented: “Waterproof to a depth of 13 meters (43 feet), shockproof from a height of 2 meters (6.6 feet), 100kg (220 lbs) of pressure resistance and freeze-proof to -10C (14F), the 16.1MP Panasonic FT5 is an excellent example of today’s breed of outdoor and rugged compacts. Video can be recorded in Full HD (1920 x 1080, AVCHD) with audio capture utilizing Dolby Digital. The Leica DC-Vario Elmar lens (28-128mm equivalent) delivers high quality previews to the 3-inch LCD. Keeping with the “connectivity” trend, the camera has “one touch easy” connection to WiFi that allows for remote capture using the ‘Panasonic Image App’. This also allows for tagging images using GPS functionality.

Cinco de Mayo Deal - 32GB Sony SDHC Card for $16!

These Sony branded 32GB Class 10 cards are a great deal at $16 from DB Roth via eBay - less than you would pay for many 16GB cards.  Limited quantity available.

Unanimous Decision - Just Like Mayweather Over Guerrero, $648 w Kit Lens is Winning Canon T4i Price

If you are a Canon shooter, and you need a DSLR with touchscreen video autofocus, the T4i is a great option.  I have shot with this camera, and the touchscreen autofocus makes life a lot easier.  Now that the T5i has been introduced, the T4i's price is coming down.  Right now, you can get one for $648 with the 18-55mm kit lens from BuyDig via eBay.  That is $101 lower than the price at Amazon as of this post.

There are only a few available - and they won't last at this price!

May Day Sale - new Canon 6D with US warranty, $1599.99!

While they last - here is a brand new Canon 6D full-frame camera from Get It Digital via eBay for $1599.99.

For hybrid shooters who emphasize stills over video, this is a great deal if you want to step up to full-frame for not a whole lot more money than the cost of a top-of-the-line crop sensor camera such as the Canon 7D, Nikon D7100 or Panasonic GH3.