XF300 vs. 7d

[David Dixon]

Doug, thanks for the personal reply. I've already re-watched the DVD section on zebras and been experimenting. I think I have the gist of it, but...

1. What if there isn't a pure bright white in the scene to set zebras from? If there's time, use a white card?

2. If the scene is dark enough that zebras don't appear even at max iris, just gain up until you CAN see them and adjust from there?

Thanks!

[Larry Becker]

Doug,

Thanks also for the personally directed reply! And, I'm afraid, in my case, you're absolutely right - I was using the LCD monitor to try to judge exposure, rather than run with Zebras. I went over your video on Exposure and Zebras again today - I like your suggestion about Zebra 2 and have set it up that way and will try it this weekend.

I think this, along with shooting on full auto, is at the core of my problem. And with the brightness set to "normal," I was misjudging the exposure - thinking it was ok when it was really "bright." Using zebra 2 set as you suggest will help judge what's actually at 100%..

And this doesn't even get to the issue of white balance - which I also have been running on auto. I'm having to do A LOT of grading to get the skin tones to look right. I bought your Warm Cards a month or so ago and will do a custom balance. This shoot is going to be in a single setting with a camera mounted on a tripod so a custom white balance is possible and helpful.

Thanks again!

Larry

[Kris Koster]

I own a 5D2, a 60D and XH-A1. Having employed the 5D2 and A1 for a few years now, I am firmly of the belief that it hugely depends what type of work you are doing. Since my work ranges wildly from professional music promos to corporate events, I find myself taking the 5D2 and 60D off the shelf for some jobs, and A1 for others.

For work that demands artistic merit, I would never use a camcorder and much prefer the footage from the HDDSLRs. For interviews, ENG, corporate events, I don't have time to be faffing around with interchangeable lenses, filters, variable NDs and the like, it's the A1 every time and pretty much exclusively.

When I first started using the 5D2, I loved the footage so much, I considered selling the A1. But it's only after a few years working solidly that I've come to realise that each has its place. I'm glad I didn't sell.

Although I have come to this thread to see if it's worth upgrading my A1 to an XF 300.
I'm particularly attracted to the fact that the 300 is a BBC approved camera. I always get raised eyebrows when handing over work done on an HDDSLR!