HDSLR shootout update by Rejouer Technical Consultant, Illya Friedman

While no images have yet been made public, the July 9th camera test has already been very informative. A total of 15-20 working professional DPs, Operator, Camera Assistants and DITs were on hand and were able to provide feedback to the principals putting this test together.

I provided the 2x Hot Rod systems to be used with the HDSLR cameras (Lumix GH1 and Canon 5Dmk2). I received some really fantastic comments from the ACs and operators throughout the day. Everyone seemed to LOVE the freedom of movement and support the Hot Rod systems provided- moving/working quickly, having solid grips, tool-less adjustments, and changing batteries without adjusting the current set-up, were all the hit features. This was the first real public outing of my system since REJOUER, and it was everything I hoped it be.

During the test the HDSLR cameras and Red camera were put into a variety of configurations including; hand held, long lenses (a 600mm cine lens was mounted to the GH1 - see above picture) car interiors, cine saddles for low angles and existing light/night shooting. There were a few charts shot as well. But this test is far more subjective than scientific.

There was a director and actors present, but as far as I could tell it seemed like they were there just to give the camera people subjects to shoot and it would be one less detail for the lead DP, Byron Shah, to worry about. My guess is that the cameras will all intercut, although it will be the most difficult for the Canon to match the others because of it's limitation of a 30p frame rate. Fotokem is going to do attempt to convert the 30p to 23.98p. But I know there's no way to do this elegantly, and I think that the Canon will probably stick out a bit more than the other cameras. The images are scheduled to be screened at Birns and Sawyer on July 30th. There will be plenty more information to follow.