Fickle...keeping 5Dmk2, skipping X-Pro 1

[David_Manning]

I've been on the fence contemplating selling off my Canon dSLR gear for the X-Pro 1. I enjoy my X100 and sometimes want more focal length variety, hence the XP1 makes perfect sense. Trouble is, I've always had some kind of SLR or dSLR to fall back on when the rubber meets the road (challenging situations requiring flexibility).

The past two days, I've been helping my 7th grade daughter produce a "TV" commercial for her Language Arts class about a fictional business...her "tutoring" business.

I shot it on the mk2, and the result, while no academy award-winner, has a great motion signature. We tried shooting video on the X100 (and the iPhone 4S!), but they're extremely fast shutter speeds (not frame rates) gave it a horrendous video-y look. The mark2 footage looks really, really good...even on YouTube. Well, if you don't mind occasional out-of-focus moments (wow...focus-pulling is truly an art unto itself).

Anyway, it was just another reminder of how flexible that bad boy is. I think I'll just keep the mark2 for full-frame goodness, either still or motion. The X100 can be my "slower, thoughtful" camera (tongue in cheek).

In case you're interested in the final product:

7th Grade commercial project

Tech details: 5Dmk2, 50/f1.4 and 85/f1.8 lenses, ISO from 100 to 800, 1080p/30fps, 1/40 shutter speed (equivalent of normal mechanical motion picture shutter).

Please be easy on me...it's not any kind of paid gig...it was a Daddy-daughters project. Her class and teacher loved it though 🙂

 

[David_Manning]

A bit more info:

Final Cut Pro X software, Macbook Pro 2.6GHz core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM.

 

[user237428934]

Nice school project. What do other kids do when they don't have all that equipment at home? How much did you pay your younger daughter that she plays the "stupid girl" 🙂

I think that filming with cameras like x100 or xpro is more for family and fun. For real filming you need a lot of extra equipment (rig, external monitors, big focus knobs, etc.) and there is a lot available for the ff canon dslrs. Btw. most informations about the new 5D III I found on filming, not photography.

 

[David_Manning]

Tom,

I agree...what do other kids do? My oldest, who's project it was, said she saw another girl shooting video at school for her project with an iPad 2. So it's clearly my own pride that the footage looks filmic 😉

I've found that most people's reviews of both the mark2 and mark3 are all about video. It's really a game-changer for that. I haven't really previously used video on my own mark2...it's not exactly for vacation-easy...but I like the option.

Then again, it stirs my creative juices...so watch out, Sundance!

 

[MCTuomey]

I think you answered your own question, David ...

Fwiw, I don't sell what shoots well for me.

 

[David_Manning]

I just need to keep the Canon AND get an X Pro-1 😀