I have just finished my first test run of the 5D Mark II video function. Click here to watch my test video in HD.
(Update: [Jan/13/2009] after digging deeper, it turns out there are mainly two ways the camera gives me control over the video. First is the thumb wheel, which lets me dial in exposure compensation and second is the * (asterisk) key that lets me lock the exposure. The key right of the asterisk key (the focus point key) unlocks the exposure lock again. Do you know any other ways to manually control any other aspects of the video, such as shutter speed or aperture? If yes, please leave a comment)
The video function of the 5DMkII doesn’t give me as much control as I would like, but after the first couple of hours of playing with it, I know that even though it’s not perfect, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is as much a game changer as the 300D was five years ago.
Cinematic depth of field, access to all your lenses, superb low-light performance and more.
The built-in sound is okay as long as you don’t focus, or use image stabilization or touch any other key on the camera, and as long as you’re inside. Any sort of motion in the air or dials that you change on your cam will be audible. Get an external microphone (I recommend the Beyerdynamic MCE 72 CAM) and you’ll be much more happy.
And: don’t get me wrong, this is not your everyday DV camera when it comes to video features. For example don’t expect it to be as fast in terms of autofocus as your DV cam. Image stabilization is only possible by using IS lenses.
About this video: I didn’t have the camera long enough to really know what I was doing. ISO is at 3200 (but I’m not sure if the camera automatically changes it during video), frame rate is not always ideal (as you can see in the flicker) but I’m sure this can be changed. I did not post process the colors, this is right out of the camera, shot with a pretty warmish white balance.
More test results (yes, also with regards to photography) soon.
