Bwana George

I realize that, so the cropping would have to be done after the fact, in post with Adobe Premier CS5. According to others using this software program, THAT can be done. So, it's back to my original question: if the cropped area of the 5D "Matched" the sensor size of the 7D, WHICH would make the best quality "VIDEO"?

As a wildlife cinematographer shooting principally for television, I have been investigating many different cameras for HD 1080p video, that would serve my purposes and utilize 16mm, 2/3 video, Nikon lenses, and is "affordable". I looked at the RED-One in 2K, the upcoming SCARLET, the CANON 5D Mark II, and the CANON 7D. The video from the latter two would have to be severely cropped in post to work. An added benefit would be if the camera recorded in RAW, which both the RED-One and the SCARLET can do. Just this morning I happened to find a camera on the internet that blew me away. I know nothing about it, but it seems perfect for our needs, and may even be better than the RED-One in 2K, and the SCARLET since it may never be released anyway(who can say). It's the SI-2K by Technik. It was used to film most of Slum Dog Millionaire, and the latest Sherlock Holmes. Very impressive I must say. I am still investigating this camera and the accessories that come with it. Is anyone familiar with this camera and has possibly used it to shoot for television? I'd be very thankful for any and all information you could give me about it. Also, I have not been able to find a distributor here in the USA, so I'd be most grateful for that info too. Thanks.

Since the sensor in a Canon 7D is smaller than the full size sensor in a Canon 5D Mark II, if the SAME portion of the 5Ds sensor was used to match the sensor size of the 7D, which camera would produce the best quality video ? In other words, what I'm trying to find out is which camera would produce better over-all quality video using the exact same portion of the sensor? Since both cameras produce HD 1080p video, it would seem to me that the 1080p packed into the smaller size sensor of the 7D would be better than the same portion of the 5Ds sensor, since its 1080p is spread over the entire "full frame" sensor. I am going to be using lenses that WILL cause vignetting with either camera, so I'm trying to find out, since I'll have to crop in post, which camera will produce the best quality video. Don't ask my why....that's just the way I have to do it. I hope that makes sense, and if I'm not understanding something clearly, forgive me. I'd just like to clarify this issue from people that understand digital better than I do.

I have an experimental project coming up, and I will use special lenses, designed and built many years ago, which I will adapt to a DSLR camera. These lenses were made for Super16 or 2/3 Video and I must use them on a DSLR camera that shoots 1080p HD video. Hopefully these lenses will fill the frame WITHOUT vignetting, or at least come close enough to be cropped out in post. I was considering the Canon 5D, but because of its full size sensor, the cropping in post would be severe. Hopefully, this DSLR camera will be able to render better quality video with its smaller sensor, than the Canon 5D would do “cropped” in post. If not, it would be better to just use the 5D. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which “DSLR Camera” might just accomplish this? It MUST be a DSLR. Thanks.

If you use DX or similar lenses on a Canon 5D Mark II is there an in-camera menu cropping mode so you can eliminate the vignetting on still images without having to use Photoshop later? What if you use these same lenses in the video mode? Can you do the in-camera crop for video too ? Thanks.

No problem David, and thanks. I understand what you're saying and I appreciate the feedback.

Sorry everyone. I meant to say the upcoming Panasonic AF100, "not" the GH1. And, it does not matter to my "hypothetical" question whether this camera or the Scarlet are out yet.

It is NOT a pointless question, if everyone would please keep in mind that I said it was "hypothetical". Hy po the ti cal !! There is no such thing as a "pointless" question. We are here to learn and to teach. NOTHING can be learned without a question in the first place.

Sorry about that. I was only trying to put it under different categories to reach a wider spectrum of people. I realize the Scarlet does not exist, or may never exist. That's why I said my question was "hypothetical".

I have a hypothetical question I'd like to throw out there and see what your opinions are. Just humor me and give me your advise and expertise in this area. IF all these cameras, the RED-One, the Scarlet, the Panasonic GH1, and the Canon 5D Mark II, used EXACTLY THE SAME size/portion of the sensor, which one would produce the BEST quality image with the "biggest" Dept Of Field? Not the shallowest DOF, the "deepest". In other words, if the larger sensors were cropped down to match those cameras with smaller sensors, so all sensor sizes were EQUAL, which of these cameras would produce the highest quality video with the WIDEST depth of field, and give the kind of quality usable for HD television production? Everyone on these forums seems VERY concerned about getting a camera that will give them the shallowest DOF possible, but I'm interested in exactly the opposite. I want the deepest DOF I can get with the best quality 1080p HD video. The kind of specialty work we do requires it. Thanks.

I have a hypothetical question I'd like to throw out there and see what your opinions are. Just humor me and give me your advise and expertise in this area. IF all these cameras, the RED-One, the Scarlet, the Panasonic GH1, and the Canon 5D Mark II, used EXACTLY THE SAME size/portion of the sensor, which one would produce the BEST quality image with the "biggest" Dept Of Field? Not the shallowest DOF, the "deepest". In other words, if the larger sensors were cropped down to match those cameras with smaller sensors, so all sensor sizes were EQUAL, which of these cameras would produce the highest quality video with the WIDEST depth of field, and give the kind of quality usable for HD television production? Everyone on these forums seems VERY concerned about getting a camera that will give them the shallowest DOF possible, but I'm interested in exactly the opposite. I want the deepest DOF I can get with the best quality 1080p HD video. The kind of specialty work we do requires it. Thanks.

I have a hypothetical question I'd like to throw out there and see what your opinions are. Just humor me and give me your advise and expertise in this area. IF all these cameras, the RED-One, the Scarlet, the Panasonic GH1, and the Canon 5D Mark II, used EXACTLY THE SAME size/portion of the sensor, which one would produce the BEST quality image with the "biggest" Dept Of Field? Not the shallowest DOF, the "deepest". In other words, if the larger sensors were cropped down to match those cameras with smaller sensors, so all sensor sizes were EQUAL, which of these cameras would produce the highest quality video with the WIDEST depth of field, and give the kind of quality usable for HD television production? Everyone on these forums seems VERY concerned about getting a camera that will give them the shallowest DOF possible, but I'm interested in exactly the opposite. I want the deepest DOF I can get with the best quality 1080p HD video. The kind of specialty work we do requires it. Thanks.

Thanks Chance. Looks like exactly what I'm looking for, and coupled with the Rode Mic should work just fine for my purposes. But, HOW do you get it to "sync" with the Canon's video? Do you need to use clap boards, like they used in the old days with film?

Since the audio from the Canon 5D Mark II is not very good, what low to medium priced "external" system would you recommend for sync sound recordings? Also, is it possible to transfer the audio from an external devise into the Canon's CF card WHILE shooting the video. If so, how and with what? Any help or advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Very good point. If they can withstand the rental markets, they can probably withstand anything. I am now considering the Canon 5D MarkII for video, especially since it has a full-sized sensor. You're also, right, about me laying out that kind of cash without holding it first. We all make mistakes, and live and learn, and I'm the KING of that.