Getting the best out of the EA50. at DVinfo.net

Matt Edwards · April 15th, 2013, 06:55 AM

I've thrown together a rough and ready bit of footage. I have a friend who is connected to Lichfield Cathedral and he was able to allow me film inside on my own one morning last week.

After being bogged own with my kids over the Easter Holiday, this was my 2nd really good go at using the camera and a new tripod.

Whilst I know in places it's rough I'd appreciate some comments on improving image quality. The Cathedral itself is not very well lit and despite having a halfway decent 25 bulb LED light, it still really didn't work all that well.

Would appreciate some constructive critique...Cheers Matt

PS I noticed that since uploaded to Youtube there's some frame rate drop in places...

Dave Vickers · April 15th, 2013, 07:52 AM

Looks great , I reckon just add some basic filters and colour in post. Magic bullet looks always helps.

Matt Edwards · April 15th, 2013, 07:54 AM

Hi Dave,

Am I right in thinking that Magic Bullet is a re-colouring package? Is it compatible with Final Cut Pro X?

Dave Vickers · April 15th, 2013, 08:03 AM

Yes it is compatible but you need to get the latest version and fully update your FCP X also. This might mean upgrading your OS too. If ya don't there are some glitches. MB Looks is easy to get a grip on - I ignore all the preset 'Looks' and make my own. Then you can just dump your filters onto your clips. Things can go a bit grainy if you have to over compensate for light but generally it adds great depth and makes the colours ping even more that the EA50 does itself.

Matt Edwards · April 15th, 2013, 08:05 AM

Cheers Dave

I've only heard about it in passing before. I run an IT business specialising in support Apple Macs so I'm all up to speed. Will check it out, thank you for the suggestion.

Noa Put · April 15th, 2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Edwards

The Cathedral itself is not very well lit and despite having a halfway decent 25 bulb LED light, it still really didn't work all that well.

Your footage looks good to me but I think you are pointing out the biggest problem which is the lens (I take it you shot with the stocklens?) I find that lens very limiting in darker spaces, especially once you start zooming in. Eventhough I like that lens a lot to shoot when I got enough light that's about the only time I"m planning to use it from now on. Then the fact that it is stabilised, has autofocus, auto exposure if needed and a powerzoom (though I don't use that) plus a very usable focal range is enough reason for me to hold on to it.

If you shoot in a church like this you need a faster lens.

Matt Edwards · April 15th, 2013, 09:59 AM

HI Noa, would you recommend the Rokinon or it's derivitive Samyang model? I know they're sold under about 3 different brands globally.

Noa Put · April 15th, 2013, 10:12 AM

Thet are all the same, just different names, in below video I used the 14, 35 and 85mm version

Matt Edwards · April 15th, 2013, 10:15 AM

Wow the faster lens certainly makes a big difference.

SO do you tend to use these more than the servo stock lens? Also given flexibility and price which one would you consider the better first buy?

Noa Put · April 15th, 2013, 10:20 AM

They are all cheap :) especially when you compare them to Canon glass, those are optically better but for that price difference I"m willing to make some sacrifice.

I use the 85mm for talking heads at receptions and at a venue, the 35mm for close ups, the 14mm on my steadicam (the 14mm gets less good reviews as it seems not to be that sharp) and the 24mm I use more for medium close shots. I like the 24mm so much that I haven't used the 35mm that much anymore and I plan to get the 8mm which is dirt cheap as well and gets very good reviews as it appears to be a sharp lens. That lens is more a speciality lens for very specific shots which can be large buildings or venues from up close or when filming in very thight spaces.

Dave Vickers · April 15th, 2013, 11:53 AM

Noa

Is your 24mm an E-mount or do you have an adapter? Thanks

Noa Put · April 15th, 2013, 12:10 PM

Yes, the 24mm is the only lens I have with a emount and it's a "cine" lens with a smooth iris, the rest I need an adapter for, I got the 24mm real cheap through amazon.de

Matt Edwards · April 16th, 2013, 01:39 AM

Hi Noa, watched your video again today and really love it. Regarding the focusing and general movement of your camera, I presume some of the shots involve a dolly or crane rig of sorts can you elaborate and also do you need to use a follow focus with the lenses or do you literally move the focus ring manually.

The quality of the shots are astounding and its a beautiful piece!

Matt

James Manford · April 16th, 2013, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Edwards

Hi Noa, watched your video again today and really love it. Regarding the focusing and general movement of your camera, I presume some of the shots involve a dolly or crane rig of sorts can you elaborate and also do you need to use a follow focus with the lenses or do you literally move the focus ring manually.

The quality of the shots are astounding and its a beautiful piece!

Matt

I recall Noa mentioning he used a slider & steadicam. (Not sure about the steadicam in this particular video) but definitely looks like a slider has been used.

Noa Put · April 16th, 2013, 04:02 AM

There is some more info on the vimeo page but I only used a tripod and a cheap homemade slider for all moving shots like this one: 'https://vimeo.com/9625381'
All focus pulls where done manually while sliding the camera, I used peaking to see where my focus was. These focus pulls work very well and accurately on prime lenses but not so on the stock lens.

April 15th, 2013, 06:55 AM	#1
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Getting the best out of the EA50. I've thrown together a rough and ready bit of footage. I have a friend who is connected to Lichfield Cathedral and he was able to allow me film inside on my own one morning last week. After being bogged own with my kids over the Easter Holiday, this was my 2nd really good go at using the camera and a new tripod. Whilst I know in places it's rough I'd appreciate some comments on improving image quality. The Cathedral itself is not very well lit and despite having a halfway decent 25 bulb LED light, it still really didn't work all that well. Would appreciate some constructive critique...Cheers Matt PS I noticed that since uploaded to Youtube there's some frame rate drop in places... Lichfield Cathedral - YouTube

April 15th, 2013, 07:52 AM	#2
Dave Vickers Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Malaga, Spain Posts: 61	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Looks great , I reckon just add some basic filters and colour in post. Magic bullet looks always helps.

April 15th, 2013, 07:54 AM	#3
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Hi Dave, Am I right in thinking that Magic Bullet is a re-colouring package? Is it compatible with Final Cut Pro X?

April 15th, 2013, 08:03 AM	#4
Dave Vickers Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Malaga, Spain Posts: 61	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Yes it is compatible but you need to get the latest version and fully update your FCP X also. This might mean upgrading your OS too. If ya don't there are some glitches. MB Looks is easy to get a grip on - I ignore all the preset 'Looks' and make my own. Then you can just dump your filters onto your clips. Things can go a bit grainy if you have to over compensate for light but generally it adds great depth and makes the colours ping even more that the EA50 does itself.

April 15th, 2013, 08:05 AM	#5
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Cheers Dave I've only heard about it in passing before. I run an IT business specialising in support Apple Macs so I'm all up to speed. Will check it out, thank you for the suggestion.

April 15th, 2013, 09:59 AM	#7
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. HI Noa, would you recommend the Rokinon or it's derivitive Samyang model? I know they're sold under about 3 different brands globally.

April 15th, 2013, 10:12 AM	#8
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Thet are all the same, just different names, in below video I used the 14, 35 and 85mm version Sint Trudo Kerk Peer / Sint Trudo Church on Vimeo

April 15th, 2013, 10:15 AM	#9
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Wow the faster lens certainly makes a big difference. SO do you tend to use these more than the servo stock lens? Also given flexibility and price which one would you consider the better first buy?

April 15th, 2013, 10:20 AM	#10
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. They are all cheap :) especially when you compare them to Canon glass, those are optically better but for that price difference I"m willing to make some sacrifice. I use the 85mm for talking heads at receptions and at a venue, the 35mm for close ups, the 14mm on my steadicam (the 14mm gets less good reviews as it seems not to be that sharp) and the 24mm I use more for medium close shots. I like the 24mm so much that I haven't used the 35mm that much anymore and I plan to get the 8mm which is dirt cheap as well and gets very good reviews as it appears to be a sharp lens. That lens is more a speciality lens for very specific shots which can be large buildings or venues from up close or when filming in very thight spaces.

April 15th, 2013, 11:53 AM	#11
Dave Vickers Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Malaga, Spain Posts: 61	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Noa Is your 24mm an E-mount or do you have an adapter? Thanks

April 15th, 2013, 12:10 PM	#12
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Yes, the 24mm is the only lens I have with a emount and it's a "cine" lens with a smooth iris, the rest I need an adapter for, I got the 24mm real cheap through amazon.de

April 16th, 2013, 01:39 AM	#13
Matt Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Derby, United Kingdom Posts: 29	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. Hi Noa, watched your video again today and really love it. Regarding the focusing and general movement of your camera, I presume some of the shots involve a dolly or crane rig of sorts can you elaborate and also do you need to use a follow focus with the lenses or do you literally move the focus ring manually. The quality of the shots are astounding and its a beautiful piece! Matt

April 16th, 2013, 04:02 AM	#15
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Getting the best out of the EA50. There is some more info on the vimeo page but I only used a tripod and a cheap homemade slider for all moving shots like this one: 'https://vimeo.com/9625381' All focus pulls where done manually while sliding the camera, I used peaking to see where my focus was. These focus pulls work very well and accurately on prime lenses but not so on the stock lens.