Now, I'm still not a fan of using a D-SLR for serious filming, but I still think thismakes for an interesting article. Unfortunately the clip isn't included, as the author said he couldn't source it.

All the while this sort of thing is seen as a gimmick, it'll never be taken seriously as an alternative to video cameras.

I think it's interesting. I find myself having very mixed views on it, given my background in moving images and my current interest in stills, it'd be something I really should be getting into having had a bit of experience in both.
However - I don't use a vegetable peeler to slice cheese, and I'd have to think very carefully about shooting on a DSLR instead of a purpose made video camera for all sorts of reasons. I find it hard to think of a conclusive argument to do so aside from 'because we can.' at the moment.

Until something like the Red system is the norm and available to all - but then doing that really changes the professional market for us all, and probably not in a good way either.

I remain cautious.

And now 5D MkIIs have been used to film the season finale of House.

Edd

I wonder where (or who) you got that from. (8+p

Mark

Doctor Who also shot a sequence using Canon 5D MkII cameras.

Mark

The Digital Picture. Did you tweet about it? I don't have text updates on today. They annoy me. I need an iPhone. Bring on the V4.0 hardware!

I did, as did Nick I believe, and many other people as well. Do keep up old chap. (8+p

Mark

I can't when at work.

Nope - I didn't Tweet it. He didn't get it from me!

They mentioned that some footage for various broadcasts is being shot now on DSLRS on the Gadget Show recently, although I only caught the tail end of the feature.

With the quality of the sensor, on say the 5D Mk II I can see it being used more and more.

A friend's been shooting something with a 7D all day. He's a focus puller - the person who makes sure things are nice and sharp in focus (or not) when they need to be.
I've been having texts with questions like 'How do you adjust the shutter angle? How do you go from 25fps to 50fps?'
He also had to spend the day pulling focus straight off the barrel of the lens, as the follow focus system pressed on the lens and trapped it's movement. Not ideal, as you're possibly introducing shake into the camera, especially on any camera moves that require you to follow it.
He didn't sound hugely impressed. I suspect there's a lot of people jumping on the 'Hey wow! Cheap HD!' without actually thinking the process through.

I think what has impressed professionals so much about the 5D 2 is the sheer quality of video, along with the shallow depth of field that is hard to attain with a dedicated video camera, not the technical features. I think your focus puller friend was being a little naive if he expected a dSLR to match the features of a proper video camera. Shutter angle? Seriously?

It's horses for courses.
I suspect what's happened is there's a lot of folk in and around Soho who are mad keen to jump on the 'Let's shoot it with a DSLR because everyone else is' band wagon without thinking the thing through.
The House finale showed that it's quite possible to do, but it does require a bit of thought and planning as to your work flow.
And yes, seriously, shutter angle. It gets played with more than you'd expect.

I wasn't scoffing at the concept. Just the fact that he expected it on a dSLR!