PL to Canon EF Mount Adapter

Matthias Uhlig and MBF Filmtechnik of Hamburg win the Ron Dexter Award for first to market with a PL Mount to Canon EF adapter. We just received one and are testing it in LA this week. Beautifully machined and very well made.

The long awaited PL-Adaptor for the Canon 7 D is now available  online:  http://www.filmlicht.de/de/Video/DSLR-Zubehoer/PL-Mount-Adapter-fuer-Canon-EOS-7-D.html

It works with the following lenses:
Angenieux Optimo 24-290
Arri Shift & Tilt Set
Canon Century 200/300 mm

No camera modification necessary

Price: 399,- € + tax and shipping.

102,400 ISO and Canon White Papers

Although the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV isn’t available until later in December, you can start reading its Instruction Manual by downloading the PDF. ISO 102,400 (H3) sensitivity is on page 64. White Papers on CMOS Sensors and the major features of 13 Canon EOS cameras are also online.

PhotoPlus Expo

To see where motion picture production is headed, head over to the Javitts Center in New York for PhotoPlus Expo (last day October 24) where over 30,000 photographers converge to lay hands on convergent digital still and motion picture camera equipment. Both Canon and Nikon have raised the bar with new cameras that seem to be more sensitive than what our eyes can see. The Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3S have a low-noise ISO range of 200 – 12,800, and a breathtaking expanded sensitivity to 102,400. The Canon shoots 1920×1080 24P. Scriptwriters: you can write NIGHT-EXTERIOR with impunity, steering  directors to the dark side with cinematographers who will expect 12,800 and 102,400 in more of their cameras.

Best of Show: iDC Follow Focus and Run & Gun Kit. Above: Husband and wife Bruce Dorn and Maura Dutra of iDC Photography. Maura is holding the iDC Follow Focus Kit. Imagine a soft skateboard wheel with white focus-scale ring touching your still camera lens without the need for rods, gears or bulky brackets. Bruce says, “Most Follow-Focus rigs are overkill for use with little cameras like the Canon 7D, 5D MK II, 1D Mark IV or Nikon D3S. The gear-driven versions I’ve tried are generally  cumbersome and far too complex.” Bruce knows what he’s talking about. He’s an accomplished photographer and film director; he and I have worked together on fashion commercials: he as director and I was DP.  Bruce is holding the iDC U-Boat Commander Rig for HDSLR cameras. It has lightweight handles and grips, and a bracket for a viewfinder magnifier.

Maura Dutra is well-known for her work in Hollywood visual effects. In future articles, we’ll talk about some other products Maura and Bruce have designed to make your visuals look great: lighting accessories, brackets, soft boxes and more. Meanwhile, Bruce continues, “With many follow focus rigs, gears need to be purchased and installed on each lens. Alignment is a time-consuming process. These over-sized (below) and overly-complex focusing systems might look butch but they effectively waste the stealthy advantages of a compact capture device like the Canon HDSLR cameras.”

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Just when we thought it was safe to proclaim the recently released sensational Canon EOS 7D the almost-holy grail of the new generation of HDSLR cameras, along comes the totally newer, bigger, faster, stronger and higher-end Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. Complete specs and details on Canon website.

Faster. Its APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel sensor and advanced processors let you shoot stills up to 10 fps (121 frame burst) and 30p, 25p or 24p 1920×1080 HD video. The 1D Mark IV is also way faster in sensitivity. Imagine shooting from 100 ISO to 12,800 ISO, with an extended, processed and amped sensitivity up to a night-vision-like 102,400 ISO. The picture below was shot with an EOS 7D, set to Hi ISO (12,800) using an 18-135 zoom at 18mm, f/3.5 at 1/50th sec. None of my Kelly Calculators or Lightmeters go that high, but quick math shows what ISO 102,400 would be like. Nighthawks: at least another 3-4 stops, standard lenses and slower telephotos at night. See Vincent Laforet’s video shot with 1D Mark IV in “available, really awful lighting” at night.

EOS 7D, set to Hi ISO (12,800) using an 18-135 zoom at 18mm, f/3.5 at 1/50th sec.

Bigger. The 1D image sensor is slightly larger than the 7D’s. The 1D uses an APS-H size sensor, 27.9mm wide x 18.6mm high (the 7D is APS-C size, 22.3mm x 14.9mm).

Self Cleaning Sensor Assembly

The pixels are slightly larger than the 7D (5.7 microns vs. 4.3 microns). Bigger pixels are usually like bigger water buckets that can catch more raindrops (photons), which is why they can be more sensitive. The 1D has lower noise, and a colleague who wished to remain anonymous said that it looked better at 6400 ISO than most current cameras, still or motion, at 400 ISO. We are entering new realms of vision.

APS-H Size Sensor

Digital Eyemo IV or Motion Picture Camera? It’s a sure bet that the 1D Mark IV will be used in HD 24P mode for motion pictures. The full HD video has similar specs to the 7D. There is on onboard mono mic in front, stereo audio miniplug input, and HDMI output.

Exploded View Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

What I’m not sure of yet is whether this camera will undergo retrofit madness at the hands of machine shops everywhere in the alchemy of attempting to append PL mounts. PL mount lenses are mostly optimized for a 24mm horizontal frame—so will the APS-H sensor have edge fall-off because it is a little larger? We shall see.

Cross Section from Camera Left Side

Faster. Compared with the 7D, this camera handles autofocus more precisely. The AI Servo II technology employs 45 precise focus points and new focusing algorithms to increase the amount of in-focus shots. The sensor can detect more points of focus and makes better decisions on handling moving subjects. This will be especially helpful for sports, news and documentary photographers and cinematographers.

Rugged Magnesium Alloy Body

Stronger. For serious production, this camera is more rugged. The body is magnesium alloy, with 77 seals to make it weatherproof. The 920,000 dot clear-view screen on the back is tempered glass with a scratch-resistant anti-glare coating. It’s easier to see in bright light.

Like previous Canon 1D cameras, there’s a microphone on the rear to record notes about your still shots, and a small speaker for playback.

Dynamic range has been improved. The dual Digic 4 14-bit processors are 6 times more powerful.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV uses both CF (Compact Flash) and SDHC Cards. For video, you’ll need Mode 6 UDMA–or SDHC cards rated class 6, or better yet, class 10. The camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in late December, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $4,999.00 .

I’m sure the lines to lay hands on it will be long this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Oct 22-24) at PDN Photoplus Expo at the  Javits Center in New York.

Mirror Assembly and Motors

Canon “Eyemo” 7D

It’s ironic that although we’ve been whining about PL mounts for Canon cameras, most of the time, our crash cameras and Eyemos have been fitted with Nikon or Canon Mounts. Since continuous follow focus is usually not an issue (or safe, or wise), great still lenses have been perfect for the job.

So, could the Canon EOS 7D be the Eyemo for the Digital Age of Film? Plop the self-contained 7D onto a sandbag, padded pouch, or backback and you’re ready to roll. Although not quite disposable, you can position multiple cameras around stunts, car chases, or greatest shots the world has ever seen. Here are some things I learned. Use a manual focus lens, like the Zeiss ZE, above. Or use the premium, fast Canon EF L still lenses set to manual focus.

Be sure to turn the Camera’s Mode Dial to M, for Manual Exposure. Set the shutter speed to 1/50 second (small dial by shutter button).

Set your aperture. (Canon EF and EF-S lenses don’t have iris rings: you control the aperture via the camera’s large control dial. There’s a “match needle” display in the viewfinder that is quite accurate.

Next, check your video settings: push MENU, turn the Main Control Dial (small dial by shutter button) to view the different “pages” of menu choices, and especially note the 4th page from the left, where you’ll see whether Sound has been turned on.

Check that you have selected 1920×1080 24p (or 25p). Make changes by turning the large control dial that’s to the right of the LCD screen, and select with the SET button in its center.

Now, set the Live View switch to Movie mode (red icon of a movie camera).

To shoot, press the START/STOP switch below the red movie camera icon. Do not press the camera’s shutter release button: it will forever freeze the action while taking the still.

Finally, be sure to use some kind of screw-on filter (clear or otherwise) to protect your front lens element from flying gravel and debris from all the mayhem unfolding in the action before you. It’s a lot cheaper to replace the filter than send the lens in for repair.

New ZEISS Lenses for Canon HDSLRs

Carl Zeiss has added new leness to its ZE (Canon) mount series: the Distagon T* 28mm f/2 ZE with EF bayonet mount fits Canon EOS cameras, including the 5D and 7D. For HDSLR shooting, the attractive features are the smooth mechanical focus, sharp optics, and compact size. You set the aperture through the Canon camera’s controls, via electronic contacts in the lens mount. Other lenses in the ZEISS ZE series are 18mm f/3.5, 21mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 85mm f/1.4, with more to come.

The Distagon T* 2/28 ZE  begins shipping on October 20, with a suggested retail price of $1,080. For more information, go to www.zeiss.com/photo.