Leica M Video; First Short Film

[brianjones66]

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Edmond

 

Along with a lot of M owners I always said I wouldn't use the video function on the new M but after seeing this I may just be tempted to have a go. Loved the video and will make a point of visiting when I can find an excuse to travel across to the other side of London. Hang on, I think somebody may have already given me the excuse, did I see a mention of Raspberry Danish...

 

Thanks

 

Brian

[edmond_terakopian]

Edmond

 

Along with a lot of M owners I always said I wouldn't use the video function on the new M but after seeing this I may just be tempted to have a go. Loved the video and will make a point of visiting when I can find an excuse to travel across to the other side of London. Hang on, I think somebody may have already given me the excuse, did I see a mention of Raspberry Danish...

 

Thanks

 

Brian

 

Many thanks for the kind words. Video is a fantastic creative outlet and for the professional can also be a lucrative service to offer. The camera is capable and our lenses are stunning, so worthwhile having a play :-) Definitely pop in to the Electric; fab people & great coffee :-)

[erudolph]

Thank you kindly. My colourist friend and colleague did correct some of the shots; the huge issue there wasn't the shots, but in some areas, there were three completely different colour temperatures! Two wildly different artificial light sources and daylight. One just cannot correct for all three, so we did the best we could! It was a bit challenging! I didn't realise there was a free version of Resolve though, thanks for the pointer.

 

The free version, Resolve Lite, will do everything the pad version does except for Noise Reduction, and also it is limited to 1920x1080 resolution.

 

Edward, what did you use to record sound?

[erudolph]

Hard to address reddish skin tones in video i guess otherwise i like it very much.

 

Actually, not at all hard with the right software.

[Peter H]

Actually, not at all hard with the right software.

 

What software would you recommend?

[erudolph]

What software would you recommend?

 

DaVinci Resolve Lite from Black Magic Design. There is a learning curve but there are QuickStart type of tutorials with media available on the Black Magic site. The current Version 9 has only rudimentary editing function, so a video editing program is also necessary. The upcoming Version 10 will have some additional editing features, but Resolve is really a color grading application.

[Peter H]

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Thank you. I shall look into this. It's all quite exciting!

[edmond_terakopian]

The free version, Resolve Lite, will do everything the pad version does except for Noise Reduction, and also it is limited to 1920x1080 resolution.

 

Edward, what did you use to record sound?

 

I have all this listed in the tex with the piece; but for convenience - I used the built in mic to record the ambient audio (although did record externally onto a Zoom H1, I found the built in mic did a good enough job for how I wanted to use the ambient audio, that I just used that) and for the interview used a Roland R26 and Rode lav mic.

 

Edmond (not Edward!)

[Dan Bachmann]

Well, it looks like we have found a good location for an upcoming London Leica meet-up!

[wda]

Thank you Edmond. Most interesting with natural performances. It is not easy switching from still skills to producing a video which entails script-writing, producing, directing, lighting, cameraman, continuity, sound, props, editing etc etc. You did very well.

[edmond_terakopian]

Well, it looks like we have found a good location for an upcoming London Leica meet-up!

 

Definitely recommend the place for that! Do give me a shot & I'll pop by too. Also the owner Simon loves photography, so it's all good :-)

[edmond_terakopian]

Thank you Edmond. Most interesting with natural performances. It is not easy switching from still skills to producing a video which entails script-writing, producing, directing, lighting, cameraman, continuity, sound, props, editing etc etc. You did very well.

 

Thank you so much for your kind words; very much appreciated :-)

[adan]

.....you should stop using the FCP X anti-shake.(if thats what you we been using?) At a few points in the video you get that wobbly-glass "effect" ......

 

I think this is a small amount of camera movement, exaggerated by the "rolling shutter" or "jello" effect. Rolling shutter

 

With large (i.e. 24 x 36) sensors used for video, there is a noticable delay in reading each frame out of the sensor, top to bottom. If there is movement of any kind across the sensor, it will seem to "squirm" its way down the frame.

 

It is sort of analogous to the oval wheels and other distortion captured with early vertical focal-plane shutters - except in real motion.

 

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/images/screen/lartigue/lartigue_car_trip.jpg

 

Happens with the Canon 5D2 - reports say the M240 shows it as well. Just something to be aware of, and take extra care over, when shooting with big sensors.

 

I wouldn't have really noticed it except for Chris's comment.

[edmond_terakopian]

I think this is a small amount of camera movement, exaggerated by the "rolling shutter" or "jello" effect. Rolling shutter

 

With large (i.e. 24 x 36) sensors used for video, there is a noticable delay in reading each frame out of the sensor, top to bottom. If there is movement of any kind across the sensor, it will seem to "squirm" its way down the frame.

 

It is sort of analogous to the oval wheels and other distortion captured with early vertical focal-plane shutters - except in real motion.

 

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/images/screen/lartigue/lartigue_car_trip.jpg

 

Happens with the Canon 5D2 - reports say the M240 shows it as well. Just something to be aware of, and take extra care over, when shooting with big sensors.

 

I wouldn't have really noticed it except for Chris's comment.

 

Having just had another look at the original file and also the Vimeo file, I still don't see any rolling shutter. There is movement in the dripping coffee, as alas I shot that on a day without the tripod. The aesthetic of the shot though I guess overrides this as no one else (from my photo, video or broadcast editor colleagues) had issues with it. Well noticed though and that clip should have been on a tripod. Hopefully this doesn't detract from the feel and look of the film!

[edmond_terakopian]

A favour please folks;

 

Would love your vote (just one click) if you liked my short film: Electric Coffee Company (FilmConvert Grade)

 

Many Thanks,

 

Edmond :-)

[jaques]

that is a great video- thanks for sharing it. Nice to see a Kees Van Der Western Mirage espresso machine in their cafe.... that is a quality machine- bespoke work reminiscent of Leica itself... I work in the coffee industry- and am a Leica fetishist who just secured an m240- so for me your film was perfect! Also your film demonstrated what can be done with the m240 very well- it seems to number one thing is: no (or as little as possible) hand held.

 

Did you ever find yourself focusing by rangefinder or was it all done via live view?

[erudolph]

snip... t seems to number one thing is: no (or as little as possible) hand held....snip

 

In the first video tests I shot with the 240, the aliasing, the jaggies on fine diagonal lines, were about the only thing that really bothered me, and these stemmed from my hand holding.

[edmond_terakopian]

that is a great video- thanks for sharing it. Nice to see a Kees Van Der Western Mirage espresso machine in their cafe.... that is a quality machine- bespoke work reminiscent of Leica itself... I work in the coffee industry- and am a Leica fetishist who just secured an m240- so for me your film was perfect! Also your film demonstrated what can be done with the m240 very well- it seems to number one thing is: no (or as little as possible) hand held.

 

Did you ever find yourself focusing by rangefinder or was it all done via live view?

 

Thanks for your kind words. I would definitely stay away from attempting hand held unless you at least get some sort of rig (Zacuto etc) for it, as it's form factor does not lend itself to hand held shooting.

As far as focusing, it was all done using LV on the rear screen.

[Paul J]

Nice Video Edmond, well done and proof that the M can be used well in such circumstances.

 

Just to chime in on the Rolling Shutter, I do find the small amount that is there a bit distracting but there is nothing that can be done except for locking down the camera which is annoying. I saw a review somewhere comparing M and 5D3 and the M had a much more pronounced effect from Rolling Shutter. It looked like double the amount.

 

The forth coming Blackmagic 4K Camera will have a Global Shutter which eliminates the effects of Rolling Shutter, working at a pixel level. It's sensor is also CMOSIS so hopefully the sign of things to come with the M.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[edmond_terakopian]

Nice Video Edmond, well done and proof that the M can be used well in such circumstances.

 

Just to chime in on the Rolling Shutter, I do find the small amount that is there a bit distracting but there is nothing that can be done except for locking down the camera which is annoying. I saw a review somewhere comparing M and 5D3 and the M had a much more pronounced effect from Rolling Shutter. It looked like double the amount.

 

The forth coming Blackmagic 4K Camera will have a Global Shutter which eliminates the effects of Rolling Shutter, working at a pixel level. It's sensor is also CMOSIS so hopefully the sign of things to come with the M.

 

Thanks Paul :-)