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Charles Frisby

Cinematographer • Editor • Director

Guymon at Midnight (a Canon 7D Test)

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I had just pulled my Canon 7D out of it's box and was really anxious to see how it preformed in low light situations. I filmed this piece in Guymon, Oklahoma on 10/28/09. I shot in various parts of the city from midnight through one o'clock.

Music by Jimmy Eat World.

Special thanks to Sean Lee for the tip on where to find a 7D, the most sought after (and backordered) camera in the US right now.

Thanks,
frisby

Comments

Curtis Edwards

October 29, 2009 09:08 AM

Thanks for sharing now I really want one!

Glenn Thomas

October 29, 2009 09:23 AM

Hi Charles,

This came out nice. A lot of the footage would be perfect for a horror film.

Tony Murnahan

October 29, 2009 09:34 AM

Thanks!

Thanks for doing this! I badly want one of these. I need something with interchangeable lenses. What card are you using and what is your workflow like? Anything you don't like about the camera so far?

Shiv Kumar

October 29, 2009 09:46 AM

Nice Charles! Love how you use the zoom and focus while shooting video. In the time lapse parts, how are you doing the zooming? In post?

I'm curious, why the 7D and not the 5D?

Radu Barb

October 29, 2009 10:14 AM

Very good!!!

Hey Mr Charles! Good work. I like the color, zoom, focus. Very good.

Charles Frisby

October 29, 2009 10:17 AM

Tony - It's hard to complain since having researched the camera for a while, I knew what I was getting into. I had purchased a Letus Extreme for my XHA1 and sent it back after getting cold feet when the wrong thread size came. If I looked at this as my one and only camera I would have to say that this is an amazing photo cam that also shoots video.

It was not designed as a HDV Camera so you don't get the niceties, such as a Zoom/Focus controller (LANC), you are limited to one 3.55mm Stereo Line in (Splitters are available), 720 only for 60fps, it's not designed for over the shoulder (there are attachments you can get), it has whats called a Rolling Shutter (search 5d vs 7d Noise and Rolling Shutter), no auto focus and the video files it spits out are a PAIN to edit with (you have to convert before editing.... trust me). If you are prone to shooting video on Automatic... this is not for you. Check out the HV40.

Why get this camera then? Glass, Color and Price. The reason I dropped 4 G's on the Letus originally was to get the bokeh I wanted on a whim, even though it was going to be a pain to attach. This camera was half the price and there is none of the artifacts that come with the Letus or similar adapters. The color range the cam captures is just great and gives you a lot to work with in post. Also, I guarantee that I can take my A1 off the tripod, pack it, take it too the car and come back, put the 7D on a tripod and hit record WAY before I would be able to set up a Letus properly ;)

Shiv - Price. I can get the 7D and some great glass for the same price as the 5D. Thats where the extra cash is going. It was all video (no stills) and I did speed changes, zooming and motion all in FCP. There are 3 pans in the video. If I tried to speed up the pans I could see the rolling shutter pretty bad... so I didn't.

Fun tip. On the pans I used the cable from my Varazoom Remote Zoom Handle to pan (since I can't use it for the cam and it's always on my tripod). I stood off and slowly pulled the cord. Made for a smoother pan.

Tony Murnahan

October 29, 2009 11:06 AM

Thanks 4 the info

Yeah... I'm pretty much looking at this camera for the same reasons you did. I can grab a couple of these for the same price as some of the other cameras I've been looking at... AND, I'll be able to switch lenses.

I've seen the DSLR kits available from the different makers.... Zacuto, Cinevate, Red Rock Micro, etc... my friends and I call looking at the Zacuto gallery "Camera Porn" ha ha ha!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DO WITH THIS CAMERA!!!

Shiv Kumar

October 29, 2009 12:11 PM

So what new glass did you get?

Yes, I see your point about the Canon XH-A1 and Letus (and adapters in general) combo. I have a Letus Extreme (and a Canon XH-A1) and unless I really need the functions of an the XH-A1 (and Letus combo) I'm much happier walking out the door with my Canon 5D. Mind you, I'm not a professional (I've done some work professionally) but now if I had to do some work professionaly, I'm not sure if I'd use the Canon 5D, especially if audio is to be captured. I don't have a seperate sound recorder so the Canon XH-A1 would be better.

The XH-A1 has a 600mm zoom so if I need that kind of zoom (300mm is the max I have for the 5D) I'd use the XH-A1 (of course then there is no Letus involved).

The issue with a cropped body like the 7D is that wides are not as wide unless you have an EF-S lens. In the last video I uploaded I used an EF-S 17-55 on the 40D (cropped body) but EF-S lense don't fit on the 5D and other non-cropped bodies. So I guess one has to be wise in what they invest in (lens wise). Of course telephoto gets a boost with cropped bodies so if you're a wild life or sports videographer there is an advantage.

Nice tip about the pan, except I don't own a Varazoom or any other gizmo like that.

Charles Frisby

October 29, 2009 12:36 PM

Well any Zoom Controller with a cable will work. Most sports videographers I've met leave their LANC controller on the tripod and roll up the cable.

I have not gotten the lens yet, but this is the one I plan to get in the next few months.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397662-USA/Canon_0344B002AA_24_105mm_f_4L_IS_USM.html

You may note that this is the lens that commonly comes with the 5D if you bought the kit. My next lens will probably be a Wide Angle (to compensate for the crop). Right now I am just using the DLSR lenses listed under equipment.

I've still got a lot of small things to get as well since this is my first CF Card camera. Some of my HV40 stuff (mics and stuff) work for this camera as well so less initial investment there. I know I'm getting another battery and a Firewire CF Card Reader in the next day or so. The 16GB CF Card I got holds plenty, but a backup card is still on my list.

Then there is the Zacuto stuff...

As you can see. The saved money will be used!!!

Tony Murnahan

October 29, 2009 01:46 PM

oh yeah...

nice choice of music as well!

Charles Frisby

October 29, 2009 02:05 PM

Tony - SanDisk 16GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card. GREAT CARD! Never lagged and after shooting all of the footage I still had the '999" photo's remaining. The battery life however was just as advertised. 1.5 to 2 hours of video off and on. Turn off your stabilized on the lens as well, it's a little leech.

I picked the song before filming and knew what beats I was after. You may have noticed I almost always cut on a snare hit. Love JEW. Flying to the east coast this New Yeast to see them. Expect to see a video of that adventure as well!

Sean Lee

October 29, 2009 04:54 PM

Thanks for the props. Glad it helped. I expect to see more of good footages from you. I just don't have time these days to go out and shoot with my new 7D, which is very sad.

Shiv Kumar

October 29, 2009 04:59 PM

Charles,

I bought the Zeikos battery pack for my 5D. It's way cheaper than the Canon version and works perfectly and it build well too. I don't know if the same would work for the 7D, but if it does you should buy it along with your extra battery, since you can use either two batteries together or 6 AA batteries instead. So it's great for those long shoots and the ability to use AA battries might be a life saver.

Ron Coker

October 29, 2009 05:35 PM

Charles, Thanks for posting, most interesting. The 7d can be a tad frustrating when it comes to camera movement. There is no doubt, a professional quality tripod should be part of the kit.

The EF-S 17-55 mm IS works well as a general purpose lens, with a fast prime when required. I'm finding the EF 1.4 24 mm a good companion.

For me, the main attraction is the variable frame rate, other than this, the 5d would be first choice for most events.

Pedro de la Torre

November 01, 2009 07:37 PM

Cool Stuff...

Charles... great stuff! i love the color!

thanks for sharin´

peet.

Armin Ruede

November 02, 2009 08:36 AM

Great choice of music, nicely edited - very cool shots! :-)

Tony Murnahan

November 02, 2009 11:53 AM

SCARLET

RED is going to announce the release date for the SCARLET soon. So, I'm going to wait to hear the price and delivery date. I'm hoping I can get the 2/3" interchangeable Scarlet. I figured it's like the 7D and 5D mkII only it shoots in 3K and has variable frame rates from 1-120fps with bursts of 150fps.

Jim Layes

November 22, 2009 11:17 PM

Looks Great for a "Still" camera....

Credits & Tags

Director / D.O.P. / Editor: Charles Frisby Rating: 4.67

Tags: canon 7d Guymon main street oklhaoma sunset lake test footage

Equipment: Apple Soundtrack Pro Canon 18.0-55.0 mm Canon 55.0-250.0 mm Canon UV Red Giant Software Magic Bullet Looks Manfrotto 501HDV/755 Canon 7D Final Cut Pro Studio 3

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Updated: 27 months ago

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Born in Los Angeles and raised in Dallas, I have been a film junkie from a young age. While I was heavy into to 2D computer animation in high school (as well as 3D animation in college), it was not until I received a roll in an independent film that I realized my love for film-making.

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