Firmware upgrade will add manual exposure to 5D Mark II video

I received an email from our Canon rep, Mary Mannix, delivering the much-needed good news that the Canon 5D Mark II will finally be given manual exposure controls for it’s video mode via a firmware upgrade coming in “early June”.

With the popular request for manual exposure control within video for the EOS 5D Mark II, Canon U.S.A. Inc. will be releasing a free firmware upgrade in early June. The upgrade will enable users to have manual exposure controls while shooting video, including ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The manual exposure control in video on the EOS 5D Mark II is expected to make a huge impact with photographers. –Mary

Here’s the link to the press release. I’ll be sure to review it here shortly after it’s debut.

Q & A: The Canon 5D Mark II

I recently had a few questions about the Canon 5D Mark II from Ethan Magoc, who plans to upgrade his camera body this summer.

“I’m going to be photo editor at a small college newspaper in the fall and would like to develop a better multimedia presence on the Web. I’m looking at upgrading bodies this summer and the 5d Mark II is the front-runner at this point. Since I already have some experience as a videographer, the HD video feature intrigued me.” – Ethan

Q: Obviously there are the concerns about the lack of manual control, but have you found that to be a major hindrance?

A: I have found it to be a minor hindrance. I think that the attitude you bring to the table will determine how positively or negatively you react to the camera. If you are willing to adapt, learn, compensate and accept the camera for what it is, you’ll be fine. I have found that the disadvantages of the camera are outweighed by the advantages for my circumstances. While the camera will help you shoot video much like you shoot still photos, you absolutely have to work differently. You have to anticipate and plan more than ever and you have to get used to sometimes tricking the camera to get it to do what you want.

Q: What is your main audio set up? I saw that you use a Sennheiser MKE 400. Would you recommend that?

A: I really have come to appreciate the Sennheiser MKE 400 as a catch-all mic. If that’s all you can afford, I’d start with that. Some folks have reported some hissing, but I have not experienced that. I have heard white noise when the room is very quiet and the auto gain control in the camera has pumped up and is listening for something. I blame the AGC for that, not the mic. An alternative is the Rode video mic.

Next I would add some kind of wireless mic to your kit. While I use the Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 series, you might want to look into the Sony UWP v-series as it has an option for headphone monitoring. The Canon 5D Mark II does not allow for monitoring of the audio – one of the major complaints about the video side of the camera. Beachtek has just recently added to their line a box specifically for the Mark II. It compensates for all of the issues that the camera has regarding audio. It allows for xlr inputs, sound level control, and it disables the auto gain control built into the camera.

All of this costs money and adding all of these could easily cost more than $1000. But starting with the $200 MKE 400 is a good beginning. It will work well in most situations unless your audio source is far away. You will have to perform interviews relatively closely. All of the audio in the Road to Recovery video was recorded completely with the MKE 400. The audio in the Lessons in Life and Basketball video was all recorded on wireless.

Q: How does your post process work? I’m also looking at upgrading from my PC laptop to some sort of Mac editing system. What do you use? What seems to be the minimum setup for editing the 5d’s .MOV files?

A: I have a two-year old MacBook Pro 1.33 Ghz Intel Core Duo. Most of my video from the 5D Mark II has been edited on this machine. If you are buying new, just make sure you are buying the most current machine you can. I’m really not sure if a MacBook could handle it. Perhaps you could take a CF card to an Apple Store and try it out. I’d recommend buying a new MacBook Pro. I’ve listed my system and software versions here. Absolutely make sure your software is up to date (FCP, OS 10.5.x).

I don’t want to undervalue the process of transcoding your video before you begin editing it. While that’s not something I do regularly, it comes highly recommended if you have time.

Q: I shoot a lot of sports videos. I watched your piece on Coach Sallee and liked some of the game shots. Have you tested video much while shooting sports?

A: I would not recommend this camera for shooting sports action. You essentially have NO auto focus, and follow focus is not practical given the way the lenses focus. The LCD monitor is a bit awkward, too. I have shot a bit of horses and basketball, but I always had to pre-focus and/or shoot wide. It’s certainly possible to shoot some feature pieces on an athlete, but don’t count on it for game coverage.

Q: Any lens recommendations? Especially for wide angle and general use purposes. My current line up includes a 70-200 f4, 300 f4 and a 50 1.8, plus an EF-S wide angle for a Rebel that wouldn’t fit on the 5d. Did you get the 24-105 to go with it?

A: Those lenses will work great on that camera (minus the Rebel lens). I highly recommend the 24-105 f/4 IS. I use it all the time now and so far do not miss the f/2.8 of my 16-35 f/2.8. The IS on the 24-105 is a huge help when hand-holding the camera. The unbelievable quality at the high ISO range helps out the lack of the wide f/2.8 aperture. What you may miss with the f/4 lenses is the shallow depth of field which is one of the key factors in creating the cinematic look of the 5D Mark II.

Q: My tripod is on its last legs, so to speak, so would you recommend your Gitzo setup?

A: So far I love my Gitzo tripod. With one exception: It’s price. I bought a Gitzo GT2540LLVL carbon fiber leveling tripod and put a Gitzo 2180 fluid head on it. That’s a $1000 investment. I last bought a tripod 25 years ago. If this one lasts that long, then it will end up being a good buy. I highly recommend buying a tripod with some kind of leveling head. It’s great for quick setup.

A couple of other accessories I have added:

• A Glidecam 2000 HD steady cam.
• A camera and lens plate system from Really Right Stuff that allows me to quickly switch between the tripod and the steady cam.
• A set of Neutral density filters to help cut down the light (and open up the aperature) in bright light.