Digital DSLR Blog » Cameras

GoPro HD Motorsports HERO Test Video

DigitalDSLR — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:49:28 +0000

Many people really like recording video in vehicles but it often requires really expensive rigs or getting stuck with poor quality video. The GoPro HD Motorsports HERO camera attempts to get high quality HD (1080p) video from a $300 camera. Can it be done? In my opinion it’s a yes and no. Video quality is pretty good, but no where near professional level cameras. It seems suited for some stock footage or very short clips that you can weave into your final video. The in camera audio quality is practically useless. While it’s a major improvement over the non-HD version, it won’t be usable in your movie. If I had to put it on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is the best, I’d have to give it a 6 or possibly 7. Watch the sample video and judge for yourself.

GoPro HD Cameras Released

DigitalDSLR — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:05:43 +0000

GoPro cameras have been a cheap source for capturing video where a traditional video camera was impractical or when shooting solo. GoPro has since released their latest offering which shoots full 1080p HD video. In fact the following formats are supported by the new GoPro HD cameras:

* 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
* 960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
* 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
* 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
* WVGA = 848×480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

The GoPro HD cameras are offered in 4 configurations: HD Helmet HERO, HD Motorsports HERO, HD Surf HERO, and HD HERO Naked. Prices range from $260 – $300.

Buschur DSM Shootout Car Show

DigitalDSLRYouTube — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:41:27 +0000

Enjoyed the 2009 Buschur Racing DSM Shootout Car Show located in Wakeman, OH. Drove over in my 2006 Silver Mitsubishi Evolution MR.

Adobe Premiere and Proxy Files

DigitalDSLR — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:24:42 +0000

Taking videos with the Canon 5D Mark II is becoming more common, I’ve been having trouble working with the files in Adobe Premiere. The original MOV files are running at 40MB/sec which can bring most computers to a halt. I recently came across a great article which talked about using Proxy files in order to do all your editing and never have to use the render function in order to see the preview movie playback smoothly.

Sébastien goes into a bit more explanation of why he choose different resolutions, but here is quick rundown of the process for creating the proxy files and using them in Adobe Premiere.

Step 1 – Create Proxy Files
1.) Open AME
2.) Import Clips to Render
3.) Select Quicktime, H264, Square Pixel, Progressive frames, 960×540 resolution, 6000kbps
4.) Render Clips to Separate folder from Originals

Step 2 – Edit Video in Premiere
1.) Create New Project
2.) Import all Original Files to be Used
3.) Highlight all Files. Right Click Make Offline
4.) Right Click again and click Link Media
5.) Select Proxy files done in Step 1
6.) Adjust Resolution Size – Clip -> Video Options -> Scale to Frame Size
7.) Drag Proxy Files into Time Line and Start Editing and Adding Effects
8.) Once Finished, Select all files again and Right Click and Make Offline
9.) Again, Right Click and Link Files back to the Originals
10.) Adjust Resolution Size and this time uncheck Scale to Frame Size (See #6)
11.) File -> Export Media
12.) Select Output resolution

Now you can do all your editing on the proxy files and never have to render out the movie to see it play smoothly. To view the full article by Sébastien, click on over to http://www.vimeo.com/2641870.

Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 1D Mark II Noise Test

DigitalDSLR — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:48:37 +0000

After getting enough “play” time in with the 5D Mark II, I decided to do a quick noise test. I wanted to see whether the 5D Mark II would best the 1D Mark III noise control. After doing some unscientific shots with the 5D Mark II, I was convinced that the 5D Mark II was at least a full stop better than the 1D Mark II in terms of noise control. So was I right? Lets see.

Keep in mind, all shots were done on a tripod and shutter activated via self timer. The lens used for the test was the Canon 27-70 2.8. All shots are done at f/5.6 and at 51mm. I tried ISO 100 – 6400 since that is the limit of the 1D Mark III will go without using any exposure compensation or pushing it via post processing. One final note that is that no in camera or post processing noise reduction was done to any of the photos.

	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 1D Mark III
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
ISO 6400

After performing this first real test, I must say that I take back my initial observation in that the 5D Mark II was at least a stop better than the 1D Mark III. Certainly this is a color chart test and not exactly real world tests.

Canon 5D Mark II – 1080p Lion Video

DigitalDSLR — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:50:03 +0000

Another test video exported as 1080p and uploaded to YouTube.

Link to Canon 5D Mark II Test Video

720p 5D Mark II Test Video

DigitalDSLR — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:02:36 +0000

Finally got Adobe Premier CS4 and rendered out my first video clip. So far I’m pretty pleased with the quality of the video.

Canon 5D Mark II High ISO Tests

DigitalDSLR — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:26:01 +0000

After receiving my Canon 5D Mark II yesterday, i’s time to start taking some test shots. I figured I’d go straight for a high ISO test. All shots with the Canon 24-70 @f/4 with +1/3 EC. As you can see the image is split down the middle with one side with 0 NR and 0 Sharpening. The other side was run through Neat Image and has Sharpening Applied. Test are done at 3200 and 6400 ISO. I’m pretty excited about these results. I plan to do some low ISO shots tomorrow.

Test 1

3200 ISO

Full Resolution

6400 ISO

Full Resolution

Test 2

3200 ISO

Full Resolution

6400 IS

Full Resolution

Canon 5D Mark II Arrives with Unboxing

DigitalDSLR — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:35:47 +0000

In my last blog entry, I stated that I had the Canon 5D Mark II on pre-order from B&H. For whatever reason, B&H hasn’t received the shipments that one would expect a major camera seller to receive. I got a tip stating that Best Buy had them in stock today, 12/7/08. I looked it up and sure enough they did. However the closest Best Buy to me with a 5D Mark II in stock was Canton, OH.

I drove the 160 miles round trip to pick mine up in Canton, OH. When I originally got there, they had a 5D(original) waiting for me. I informed them that wasn’t the correct product they were supposed to hold for me. So I went to the camera section and didn’t see any. I asked the 2 guys working there and they said they wouldn’t get anything like that in stock. I asked them to check their system since it showed in stock on the Best Buy website.

They punched it into their computer and their mouths hit the floor in disbelief. The one guy ran to the back and brought out the 2 boxes. They were just as excited as I was. I also got it with 18 months 0% financing. To me that makes up for any sales tax savings had I purchased online. I canceled my order from B&H, so somebody behind me in pre-orders was one step closer to their own Canon 5D Mark II.

Other Images:

Just Pre-Ordered Canon 5D Mark II Camera

DigitalDSLR — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:41:11 +0000

For those that didn’t pre-order a few months ago, the chance at getting the new Canon 5D Mark II seemed rather bleak. However B&H Photo was one retailer that did not do early pre-orders. Obviously I have been refreshing their page hourly to find out if they have any in stock.

I got word on DPReview.com that B&H started taking phone only pre-orders today. Needless to say I called them up and was let down when the salesman said no such thing was occupying. I called them back an hour later after seeing more people getting theirs ordered. This time, I was successful. I even got the same salesman I had earlier. I received my email confirmation and am pretty excited. They aren’t sure exactly when they are supposed to receive their shipments, but reports indicate that it maybe this coming week which marks the start of December.

I’ll certainly be posting a review as soon as I receive it.