Canon 5D Mark II

Well... As many of you know, I took a long break from blogging to work on some reinventing. Over the past few months we have innovated new products and services, and made great strides with a focus on quality that is evident in everything we do from our private online web presentations for clients to our new line of custom books, to our motion picture offerings for companies and private usage, we have been evolving in incredible ways.

Many of you also know, I've been working in motion picture here and there and have spoken widely about it at programs in the past and how I felt that photography and video would soon merge.

Well it has, and the entire word of photography and motion pictures is literally about to change. I got my first Canon 5D Mark II a few days ago and I can't remember a time when I have been so excited to get a new camera. At first glimpse, the camera is smaller than the professional flagship cameras that I normally would use. But inside is an entirely new way of looking at our profession that will undoubtedly change and shape our industries for years to come.

Having worked closely with other HDV cameras over the past couple of years, I can honestly say that this camera blows the doors off of traditional HDV cameras in terms of image quality in virtually every situation. Combine pristine color and sharpness and a full frame chip with prime 1.2 glass, and you have a motion picture camera that has impeccable low light capabilities, but also renders depth of field that motion picture experts dream of.

I am certainly glad I took the time to learn Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack, Color and the rest of the Apple suite of motion picture software over the past few years as it is now clear that this will be a major portion of the direction of our company in years to come.

Audio on the camera is strong, but there are some lacks in control in this first generation hybrid in terms of on camera mixing. This came as no surprise, but my sound tests working with Sennheiser booms, and lav mics show that there are still incredible capabilities and I look forward two ironing out the details.

My one wish for motion is that you could focus while looking through the viewfinder as it would be more natural and comfortable to be able to do so. I understand the limitations of why that isn't available, but am in hopes that will come in the future. You also must manually focus the camera. However, that I don't mind as with practice I see that you can use your insticts and work well with manual focus and motion picture.

As far as still photography goes on this 21 Megapixel hybrid, expect the best. I am finding files out of the 5D Mark II to be the sharpest and most colorful I have ever captured. Even at high ISO's of 6400 and 3200, the quality of file is remarkbly cleaner and stronger than any camera I have ever used.

Many will wonder what direction our careers will go with this new technology at our fingertips. That I can't answer, but to say that like always, we will be following our hearts and working towards being the best we can be. In these uncertain times, unlimited opportunities are upon us, and we are so excited to be in the middle of this incredible innovation.