Rollerblades + Steadicam Merlin Test | Canon 7D

[SUPERAMAZINGATOMIC]

Aaaaah look out for the pool!

[Boobymacintoshfilms]

This looks great!

[AndreaMorrisFilms]

Oh man! I love it!

You're awesome. That can't be easy.

[tas9195]

@BlownMacTruck Uh, did I ask you. I don't think so. I didn't ask you. First off my manual won't tell me what camera he is using, which I caught it in the title after and corrected myself. Next my manual won't tell me if this is raw or if they did any post work. Third I haven't seen the phrase rough tracking in my manual. Pick up the manaul for constructive criticism not destructive. Maybe then you won't sound like an A hole.

[BlownMacTruck]

@tas9195 Your manual will surely tell you how to set your ISO and aperture, and if it doesn't, you can't. You're the one who sounds like a douche for asking people how to operate your OWN CAMERA.

[tas9195]

@BlownMacTruck what a moron. actually it shows you how to change the setting not how to use it to get correct exposures. If that was the case we could all read the manual and be pros. I can't believe I'm having this conversation because I never asked you in the first place. Besides my manual doesn't talk about ISO or aperature in videos. Are you a pro photographer. obviously not cause a pro knows it takes more than a manual to take a good picture. I am done. you can argue with yourself now.

[tas9195]

@BlownMacTruck plus someone who knew what they were talking about would rather help than run there mouth. No matter how dumb the question.

[BlownMacTruck]

@tas9195 Actually, no one's helping you because we know all cameras are different, even if they're all Canons. A kid knows this.  A person who read their manual would've also figured this out by now instead of wasting time asking strangers in a non-camera tech forum how to operate a camera they own right in front of them. Let me give you a hint: either it's completed automated for exposure or you use the light meter to adjust. If this makes no sense to you I suggest a point and shoot camera.

[tas9195]

nevermind just realized it said canon 7d, I have the T1i and don't know how to set ISO and aperture etc.... for the video part of it. How do you set it on the 7d. I would imangine it would be about the same being they are both canon.

[BlownMacTruck]

@tas9195 Uh, why don't you read your manual and learn how your camera works?

[tas9195]

what camera are you using? is this raw footage or post just curious if that is what you mean by rough tracking

[theamarand]

I'm reading the The Steadicam Operator's Handbook and learning a lot of great things so far about the full-sized rigs, but wonder how it all translates into this mix. My 7D arrives tomorrow, I have a decent set of inexpensive lenses, and will be picking up the Merlin within a week or two. Good stuff? Easy to learn? I appreciate you posting your video...hopefully I'll have one of my own to post soon!

[esotericsean]

@theamarand Pretty easy to learn. It does take a lot of practice. I look at this video now and the sway is pretty terrible!

[BradmBallew]

Hey thanks for this video. This is a great showcase of the lowlight abilities of this camera. Also it shows that it's a great fit for the merlin. I have been on the hunt for some good raw night shots on the 7D and this is exactly what I have been looking for. It really is impressive. Run it through magic bullet and you could have a serious movie with this thing. Nice test.

[esotericsean]

@BradmBallew Thanks, I did do some light CC and grading in Magic Bullet actually.

[BradmBallew]

@esotericsean I figured you probably did. I was sort of thinking out loud. I have been looking for something that could get me the shallow depth of field and could handle low light well. This definitely fits the bill. I am about to get serious about making some shorts and eventually a feature length film. What's great about this camera is you don't need a ton of lighting and grippery. This could cut down on cost and crew, which could be helpful starting out.

[esotericsean]

@BradmBallew Oh, you'll definitely be happy with a 7D or even a T2i. If you want even better quality go with a 5D Mark II. Let me know when you get one and I can give you some advice on the optimal settings :)

[BradmBallew]

@esotericsean I will. I am probably going to get the 7D next week maybe. One question I have is how high have you been able to go with iso settings before your image quality noticeably takes a hit. So far I have seen some pretty impressive low light shots. Just wondering how far you can push it. Thanks.

[esotericsean]

@BradmBallew That's a tough one. With the 5D, we could push it to somewhere around 2500. We try not to go past 640 on the 7D. There are optimal ISO settings, as well (kinda like sweet spots on lenses). For example 160 has less noise than 100 ISO. Keep it to 3 step intervals: 160, 320, 640, 1250, etc. And turn Highlight Tone Priority off. Any idea what lens you'll be getting?

[BradmBallew]

@esotericsean Will at first I am going to just have the 28-135mm that comes with it, and invest in a better lens down the road. Speaking of,.. did you buy just the body and get a lens separately or did you get the 28-135mm that comes in the package? If so then what is your experience with the 28-135mm? I know it's not the best glass, but what are your thoughts?

[esotericsean]

@BradmBallew I bought it body-only and got a 16-35, but I used to have a 28-135 back when I had a 40d, it seemed pretty good back then, but shooting video might be a different story. It's good to start out with a zoom lens that has a decent range like that. IS works pretty well, too.

[TheMarxProd]

@BradmBallew I just got a 7D, any advice?

[BradmBallew]

@TheMarxProd if your planning on doing color grading then you might look into some of the extra flat picture settings on the web. vimeo.c om/ 7256322 Do a lot of reading on forums ect.. to see what people say about different settings. People can be pretty polarized on whether to use certain settings or not depending on what they are going after. Try and use iso 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 if you can.

[esotericsean]

@BradmBallew On the 7D, ISO 160, 320, 640, and 1250 have the least noisy patterns.

[BradmBallew]

@esotericsean Good point, but you do have better latitude at the 100, 200, 400, ect.. that's the trade off..

[TheMarxProd]

@BradmBallew Hey, so I just got a 7D, any recommendations on settings?

[TheMarxProd]

@BradmBallew Hey, so I just got a 7D, any recommendations on settings?

[austifer33]

well im confused

[esotericsean]

@austifer33 Heh, just a little test we were doing.

[bluemangroup16]

hey guys, love this shot..great job! the only thing i would suggest instead of the roller blades. try using a long board. alot smoother and steady, ( less wobbles)

[esotericsean]

If only I was good at skateboarding :P

[ken0ken]

how did u manage to keep focuz at all times?

[esotericsean]

Just set the focus for each shot and try and stay the same distance. If you look at 0:28 you'll see that the shot is actually not in focus at all. But this was just a test.

[MikeOfKorea]

So you were just rollerblading... Not a hint of "pushing off" or sudden stops or anything. Cool.

[esotericsean]

@MikeOfKorea We've improved a lot since :)

[Nihilism13]

God, the lowlight on this camera is unbelievable. Nice work with the blades. I think this camera looks best in lowlight situations.

[esotericsean]

@Nihilism13 Thanks! We've actually improved the low light settings on our 7D by using a superflat picture profile setting. Check out our website for more details and tests :)

[tabulafilms]

don't you find it hard to negate the wobble with your merlin? It's always there no matter what i try ; ;

[esotericsean]

@tabulafilms Practice practice practice. You'll get better. Real Steadicam operators have a LOT of experience under their belt. Check out our website on Wednesday for a tour of Steadicam HQ :)

[beans1979]

the rollerbladin sounds hardest part. you guys are helpin me wi my media course.

keep up the good work;)

[esotericsean]

@beans1979 The rollerblades are pretty easy, but it's only useful when someone is pushing you, otherwise it's too wobbly.

Check out our website, we post vlogs twice a week :)

[LivingForLOL]

The only bad thing with 1080p is that it kinda lags here on youtube and its so big as file...

[esotericsean]

@LivingForLOL Yeah, you need a powerful graphics card or a fast processor. Fortunately, I have both because editing video demands a good computer :)

[rike889]

I feel like anytime im watching a movie i take everything the director does camera wise as purposeful, when you say you would have put more work into it do you mean when the camera turns and wobbles a little, because i believe that adds to the feel (of the whole short, not just the song)

[esotericsean]

@rike889 Well you see, that's just the point. If this were an actual short film with a story and a narrative and symbolism, then a little wobble might work, but it all depends on what's necessary. Sometimes a smoother camera is called for. So yes, I understand what you mean :) But it's always good to be able to get to know your tools better so you have the choice of how you want to use them.

[Ericspasstime]

nice camera work!

[BeithProduction]

ah very nice. some good tips here.

[redbandfilms]

looks good.

[nedwarp]

damn i can't even watch it in 1080p hd with this crappy graphics card.

[esotericsean]

@nedwarp :(

[walk888]

Looks good

[ngstylez]

Sean, I'm loving these smooth moving shots! Did you ever do a video talking about your Steadicam and/or your review of it vs other stabilization systems? If you did, I must have missed it. If not, would love to learn more about them.

[esotericsean]

@ngstylez Ah, I haven't talked about it, actually. Really wish I had 2 cameras sometimes :[

[BrysonJohn]

Awesome video. Love how you avoided your own shadow at 1:30.

[thegreatsubscriber]

Wow I did not know Jon Brion did Magnolia. I saw him a few times at some club near the farmers market area in LA, one night fiona apple showed up.

[esotericsean]

@thegreatsubscriber Wow, cool! Was he performing or just partying? Heh. PTA made him famous :)

[thegreatsubscriber]

He was the main attraction, but he seemed to bring a lot of other folks in, ie the singer from maroon 5 also showed up. Kind of an open mic, he sang a few beatles songs and played a bunch of different instruments. I am pretty sure this was after Magnolia came out

[esotericsean]

@thegreatsubscriber How fun! He's done lots of amazing scores. I Heart Huckabees, Eternal Sunshine, Hard Eight, Punch-Drunk Love, just to name a few.

[CreativeOutletHobbie]

Looks good

[kmacc390]

nice work... that 7D is sweet!

[dackjaniels555]

I leik the running shot at the end, Very dramatic,

Leik the shot in Requiem for a Dream when Sarah Goldfarb has goes nuts, I'm not sure exactly how they did that but meh.

[esotericsean]

@dackjaniels555 Thanks :) The RFAD shot uses a Snoricam, google it and you'll see what I mean

[yutubecop]

brilliant, good to know how hollywood did these kind of shots.

[esotericsean]

@yutubecop This isn't how Hollywood typically does it, they hire professional Steadicam operators. Though, sometimes they use techniques like these. Garret Brown used a wheelchair in The Shining.

[Tweek5470]

nice, i tried a glidecam skateboard combo once, when you are going forward you can really get creative with the shots but going backwards for something like a don juan shot gets tricky and you need someone to pull you!

[esotericsean]

@Tweek5470 Yep! Peter was pulling me for a couple shots :)

[Tweek5470]

nice, how is the merlin? Glidecam can be a pain to balance sometimes is the merlin better with that?

[esotericsean]

@Tweek5470 It's not as good as a real Steadicam/Glidecam, but still very decent little rig for only $800. Balancing was easy because they have our camera + lens combo listed on their website.

[voicepoet]

nice shots...were you being pushed and pulled on the rollerblades or were you doing it all yourself?

[esotericsean]

@voicepoet Push/Pull, you get a lot more tilting when skating by yourself

[itisnti]

these shots are great. where did you get the camera?

[esotericsean]

@itisnti I was one of the first 10 people in the US to get a 7D :)

[oxzanofilms]

Nice!

how was it to walk backward with rollerblades? ;D

[esotericsean]

@oxzanofilms Not walking, Peter was pulling me :)

[oxzanofilms]

oh ok:) that makes it a bit easier xD