HDSLR Movement

I spent this past weekend attending a Canon HDSLR workshop in Chicago.  The three day event was put together by Createasphere and Canon to showcase and teach the many uses for this remarkable camera.  Our instructors Nancy Schreiber ASC, and Jared Abrams (HDSLR Expert) trained us on the aesthetics of movie making, and provided the technical expertise on camera operation.  Additionally, Mike Sippel, the Director of Engineering at Fletcher Camera Chicago, was instrumental in educating the group on complex menu systems and the “guts” of the camera.  If you’ve ever read a manual and wondered what the heck you were looking at, this is the guy that can explain it.

A week before attending the event, I purchased a Canon 7D, one of three HDSLR models.  In the 15 years that I’ve worked as a shooter/editor, I have never purchased a professional grade camera.  I have always borrowed or rented, and this is the first time I’ve seen a camera produce this quality below $2000.  As with any camera, it has it’s pros and cons.  If you’re shooting a wedding or event and need to record segments longer than 20 minutes, this is not the camera to rely on.  Also, not to be forgotten, it is a still camera.  Most of the people purchasing this camera will do so because of the video capability, but it’s a wonderful still camera for recreational and professional shoots.  By just looking at the camera, it doesn’t look that much different than a regular digital SLR, but the technology packed inside of it is being put to use on television programs and motion pictures.  It has the ability to change lenses like other SLR’s, which is one of the major reasons why so many are putting it to use.  With standard video or HD cameras we are usually seeing everything in focus.  Right out of the box, the HDSLRs offer the ability to put only your intended subject in focus, while softening the rest.  This depth of field offers a look that we usually only see on tv, film, or commercial work.  As an example, if you look at the camera picture adjacent this entry, the front of the lens and the background is out of focus, while the main body of the camera is in focus.

When you have a moment, take a look at some of the incredible work created with this camera technology.  Soon after the camera came out, Manning Productions put it to use in capturing hand movements and artistic elements for a Snowflake Workshop.