DSLR and TV Commercials

[Mad Aussie]

I've had an interesting few days with a TV Commercial.

I'm often involved in building sets for such things as TV commercials, corporate presentations, theatrical productions and various other projects this time I was also asked to work my set during the filming.

The commercial was for Nova FM, a major rock radio station over here. They are doing a rip off of a TV show called X Factor and I had to create a fake elevator that fell apart on command.

A couple of days ago a workmate and I rocked up and set up the set ready for the days shooting and sat back while lighting did their thing.

It was when the camera crew set up that I learned something. I learned just how good the video is on the better DSLR camera's these days.

The whole high definition commercial was shot with Canon 7D's. Maybe this is common knowledge to some but I didn't know.

I was chatting with one of the camera operators (don't want to actually call them photographers) and he told me that if they don't have to swing around while shooting the vids then the 7D and 5D's work perfectly. Apparently they are not so popular for news gathering vid because the operator often has to quickly pan around to find a subject and the frame rate doesn't handle that so well. However, mounting it on a dolly that follows the action is fine.

Not that I use video or want to but I thought it cool to see a professional film crew not using a single TV camera but rather using Canon 7D's as their weapon of choice.

[Bambi]

that is interesting. With the development of technology it will be interesting to see where it all leads.

[Wicked Dark]

I just read a thread on another forum by a guy who bought a bunch of Olympus glass and a new E-5 for this purpose. He says the lenses are faster and sharper than Canon's and the camera was easier to operate. Also the lenses will go on his Panasonic video camera. It was an interesting read.

[asnow]

Its amazing how good the video has got on the DSLRs. I hear that the entire season finale of the TV program House was done with Canon 5D Mark IIs.

[kat]

Haha... I tried to do "good" video on my recent trip..I think I have to look into a good lens and filter that make the filming a bit better. And read how to do it. :P It is a neat feature to have if you know how to do it!

[Iguanasan]

The final episode of last season's House was shot exclusively with the Canon 5D Mark II. It's becoming quite a popular thing. I've heard the camera guys like it because they can do neat things by exchanging lenses which is not quite as easy to do with fixed lens video cameras.

[Peter]

One day I would love to own a 7D. (When my ship comes in that is.)

[Mad Aussie]

Didn't know that about 'House' ... cool!