Nikon D4s promo video by Corey Rich in one word: Incredible!

DEDICATED from Corey Rich on Vimeo.

New Nikon D4s promo video shows off D4s' video capability and looks stunning!

Corey Rich posted his new video showcasing the newly released Nikon D4s. While the D4s is not a big leap from the D4 in my opinion - the video clearly shows that D4s is a viable contender in the DSLR/cinema camera market for shooting cinematic professional content.

Gritty documentary feel from a good performance and a good time!

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Another challenging assignment of photographing a band performance... In order to preserve the mood of the show (dimly lit, high contrast) I had to shoot a very high ISO. This is what happened...

RevUp show at Crusaders in Frederick, MD on 17 August 2013.

Production Blog: development continues on Square One - a short drama to be filmed in the summer of 2013

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This month I'm continuing to work on development and pre-production for the short film "Square One". Production is now scheduled for the summer of 2013.


Here's the short and longer log lines for the movie:

"Square One" is a short drama about a man, his wife, and the uncertainty of our existence.

After losing his wife in a tragic accident, Mike wants to take his own life, overwhelmed with guilt. But an unexpected turn of events makes him change his mind...

Operation DSLR Cinema Rig continues...

While I continue to massage the script slowly, I'm also working on finishing up putting together my cinema rig. DSLRs have terrible ergonomics for filmmaking.  I miss the form factor of my ENG-style Panasonic HPX-300.  If only they'd put a bigger sensor in it... Oh well... 

In order to make the DSLR ergonomics suitable for filmmaking, I have purchased a basic shoulder/tripod rig, that I have modified to fit my needs better.  In January I have purchased and installed a follow focus, and another articulating arm. I also installed a cage bracket, so that I can attach the microphone, and a fill LED light, whenever I get it. Here are some photos.

cineSerge Flat Cinema picture profile for the D4

I also started experimenting with the picture profiles for the Nikon D4.  Thing with DSLRs is that they produce an 8 bit image, which makes it a bit difficult to color grade in post production.  In order to obtain the best latitude and preserve detail in shadows as well as highlights, several settings have to be turned down a bit [contrast, saturation, and sharpening].  

On the other hand, if you turn these settings all the way down, then you'd run in the problem of skin looking plasticky and unrealistic.  So, there has to be a balance. 

I have created my own custom picture profile for the D4 based in D4's Neutral profile. I'll still need to test it extensively. I call it cineSerge Cinema Fat [Cinema NL FLAT version 1-03].  Here's a pic of the profile setting.  In the future I'm planning on writing a separate post about setting up the D4 for cinema production.

Color grading reference tests

[ In case you don't know what color grading means, look it up HERE ]. 

This month I've also tested some "looks" for the film, aka color-grading.  First three images here are from one of the actual locations that will be used in the movie. The fourth picture is a reference image from some magazine, which I like a lot, so I might have a similar color-grading in Square One. [I also like this grade].

More equipment to get my hands on

As far as equipment goes, I'm still looking into purchasing Atomos Ninja 2 external recorder/monitor, some audio gear, and a tripod.  I was browsing Videomaker magazine the other day and saw some gear that I might have to purchase: Libec LX7 tripod, indiSystem Airjib, Roland Systems Group R26 sound recorder, Que Audio Q Sniper Mic.  Need to do research on these items...

Status update summary

So far, I'm making progress with the script, getting the gear together, doing camera tests, and researching locations.  Next step after that would be casting... Stay tuned!

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What's in my gear bag?

I believe that equipment should be the extension of the artist.  I dont chase the latest and greatest gear (except for D4, because it is a great camera that I plan on keeping for a long time).  I am also not into too tech details and tests.  I believe real-life field tests are more valuable.  Also, it is not the camera that makes the image, it is the photographer/cinematographer.

But, it helps to have the right gear.  So, in my pursuit of the right gear, this what I currently have, used to have, or want to have ;)

Here's what I currently have:

1. Nikon D4
2. Nikkor 80-200mm 2.8
3. Nikkor 24-85mm 2.8-4
4. Nikkor 50mm 1.4
5. Nikkor 12-24mm (DX)
6. Manfrotto Photo tripod
7. SB800 speedlite
8. SB600 speedlite
9. Vella 10pin Remote for Nikon
10. No brand DSLR Shoulder Rig
11. Flashpoint Mattebox
12. indieSystem follow focus

Here's what I sold and no longer have:

1. Panasonic HPX300
2. Redrock mattebox
3. Redrock follow focus
4. Glidecam X4500
5. Libec Video Tripod
6. Nikon F5

Here's what I want to have ;)

1. Atomos Ninja 2 field recorder/monitor
2. Video Tripod
3. On-camera field monitor (5 or 7 inch) for AC

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1. Putting together the right DSLR cinema rig
2. More gear reviews
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The frog story: quick reaction macro field test with Nikon D4

I usually don't photograph wildlife, but when I saw this tiny frog sitting on my basement glass door, I had to grab the camera.

Late one evening, while in the basement, I noticed a little baby frog sitting on the glass door.  The frog measured about an inch and a half.  I grabbed the camera and started setting up tripod as fast as I could.  I thought the frog would leave, but it sat there, oblivious to my actions on the other side of the door.

Here's a snapshot of the frog with my phone.

I have setup the tripod and started taking images.  I used a Nikkor 24-85mm macro lens, zooming in all the way to 85mm.  The aperture was locked at f/4, shutter speed was about 1/2 of a second.  Because the light was dim, I had to raise the ISO to 1600.  D4 is the low light king, so I knew there will be no problem there.  I put the camera on self-timer to minimize the camera shake.

I took a few shots, changing the exposure slightly.  Then I brought the images into my Mac, chose the one I thought was the best of the set.  The adjustment were minor - contrast, color temperature, and cropping - thats about it.

So, below is the final image.  I didn't clean up some of the glass imperfections, so what you see is what the camera saw, minus a slight contrast and color adjustment.  I would say it is a pretty good image, considering how bad the lighting conditions were, as well as the small size of the frog.

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Photoshoot at an abandoned hospital - Nikon D4 in the field

I wasn't sure what to expect going to a location like an abandoned hospital in Maryland to do my first field test of the Nikon D4.  First, I haven't done a shoot with people for some time now; then there's the issue of photographing at an abandoned building.  It was starting to look like a challenge.

After finally receiving the D4 in June 2012 ( ordered it in January ), I was looking forward to field testing it. I wanted to find a unique location to use as a backdrop. A friend of mine checked out an abandoned Insane Asylum a few years back and told me about it, so I decided to find an abandoned hospital to put D4 to the field test.

Location Background

Initially I have found an abandoned power generation station not too far from where I live, but after doing some research I found out that the building has been demolished.  Too bad, because it was my Choice A location.  So, moving on to Location B - Henryton State Hospital.  I have spend a bit of time to research the location.  This is what I found out (in part on Wikipedia):

Henryton State Hospital is a now-closed hospital complex in Marriottsville, in southern Carroll County, Maryland, just across the Howard County line. The Henryton State Hospital center, or the Henryton Tuberculosis Sanatorium as it was called, was erected in 1922 by the Maryland Board of Mental Hygiene. It was established as a facility to treat African Americans suffering from tuberculosis. This was one of the first such facilities in Maryland erected to provide African Americans with the same level of treatment as whites.

Will not use tripod or speedlites - going to plan B

On the day of the shoot myself, my assistant, and two first-time models set out to find this hospital.  The location was easy to find, although the vehicular gate was closed, we parked the car and continued on foot.  The buildings were in bad shape with no windows, debris everywhere, peeling paint, and an eerie feeling.

My plan was to find one or two locations within the hospital complex, setup tripod, backlight flash, as well as key flash.  Going through the abandoned building gave me the unsettling feeling.  It was a feeling like you're being watched.  I didn't like that, but we were there, so we continued.

I realized that we'll have to move fast, taking a few shots at different locations within the hospital.  So the tripod never got setup.  I like using tripod for the simple purpose that it makes you slow down, think about the shots, plan things.

This was turning into run-and-gun shoot, which was fine, considering that I wanted to leave the place the second I got there.  I also decided to ditch the flashes and use available light, once again realizing that it was taking to long to setup, and I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to.  Oh, and did I mention that it was so freaking hot, I was sweating like a pig.

D4 becomes an extension of me

The models were tense as well; I think it showed throughout the whole shoot.  Usually, the model will be tense in the beginning, but then loosen up - that's when the photographer will get the best shots, usually towards the end of the shoot.

Now, the models being tense a bit might have been a good thing because this tension can be felt in the photographs, so considering the location and the whole background of the shoot, it seems ok to me.

I took just over 400 photos in couple of hours, shooting both inside the building and outside.  The light outside was harsh and direct, because it was mid-day - not the ideal conditions for the shoot.

The camera became my extension, I didn't have to think much about the settings, as it was second nature.  I concentrated on directing the models, with varying degree of success.  The camera performed really well, considering the high contrast situations I encountered.

After coming back, I processed the images in Camera Bag 2 on my Mac. Considering how fast the shoot went, the bad lighting conditions, models and myself being tense, this was a good shoot.

D4 low light / high ISO performance

Just as I expected the D4 performed so well in not-so-good lighting conditions. Low light performance as well as ISO performance were absolutely superb!

I was shooting with 50mm 1.4 Nikkor lens (great lens) most of the time, so that helped to get little bit more light on the sensor.  I was able to raise the ISO up to 6400 with no problems, although I mostly shot at 800 ISO.

Some images were a bit soft: could be because I've used the 50mm Nikkor lens fully opened at 1.4.  This lens is not the sharpest, especially at 1.4 setting.  It also could be that there was no sharpening applied to the images in camera, and I didn't do any in post.

Conclusion

Overall, the shoot went well.  The main point was to see how the D4 holds up in the field.  It did as advertised.  I love this camera.  Its built like a tank, it's fast and accurate, and it's a pleasure to use!

Bottom line - we had fun (sort of), and the D4 had its first field experience!

  

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Nikon D4 time-lapse test: moving car

Below is my first time-lapse test with the Nikon D4.

Camera: Nikon D4, lens: 24-85mm, interval: 3 seconds, total time: 10 minutes, final file duration: 8 seconds. Metering: matrix, shooting mode: manual.

Note: this is ungraded file, directly from the camera.

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DSLR Focusing Test to help confirm your camera's proper autofocus operation

I have finally received the Nikon D4. Yay! But... during my wait, I have read that some units had a focusing problem. So, I decided to run a simple test (outlined by Nasim from mansurovs.com) that allows to check for proper autofocusing of the camera. My findings are described in this post. Please, take note, that this test can be performed on any DSLR/lens combination, so its not specific to Nikon or the D4.
1. Print out a focusing chart.

2. Tape it to a well lit wall (or other vertical surface).

3. Setup your DSLR on a tripod framing the focusing chart to take approximately 1/3 of the frame. I've used my Nikon D4 mounted on Manfrotto tripod.

4. Setup your lens to the largest aperture possible (smallest f/ number) (I've used Nikkor 50mm 1.4D lens; aperture set to 1.4); activate LiveView, focus, then take the photo via Self Timer Mode (to minimize the blur caused by vibration. You can also activate Mirror Up mode).

5. Deactivate LiveView, defocus the lens, then activate autofocus and take the photo by looking through the viewfinder.

6. Now you have 2 images on the memory card: one taken via LiveView, the other one via the viewfinder. Transfer the images to the computer and open them via image editing software.

7. Open both images in 100 % view or actual size (see images below).

8. Compare the two images; both of them should be sharp. Below is an image of the test chart that looks out of focus-its not suppose to look like that (image via mansurovs.com).

9. Repeat this test with another lens. Compare the results.

10. If your images are not sharp on both sets done with different lenses, your DSLR has a focusing problem. If one set is good, and another is bad, then, its the second lens that needs to be calibrated.

After conducting this test I confirmed that my Nikon D4 is focusing properly.

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Nikon D4 shipping from Adorama? Not so fast...

I have been waiting for the Nikon D4 to ship from Adorama for some time now (I pre-ordered it in mid-January 2012) . Calling their Costumer Service proved pointless. Today [10 May 2012] I got this email from Adorama:

Thank you for placing your order for a Nikon D800/D800E or D4 with us.
As you know, the Nikon D800/D800E and D4 are currently highly-sought after. The excitement for the these new acclaimed models created a demand that has currently outstripped supply worldwide. Nikon has sent us initial quantities of units and continues to do so on a weekly basis. Those have already been shipped out to customers in a first-in/first-out process. 

We are fully aware of how eager you are to receive your new camera and how frustrating the wait can be. The lack of clear forthcoming information as to the estimated ship dates only adds to the frustration. We know it and feel it and we’re going bonkers about it. Nothing is more important to us than to deliver a great customer experience, and while it might not be evident, we’re turning the world over to get these hot cameras out to you as fast as humanly possible. We are working closely with our partner, Nikon, to get all orders fulfilled in a timely basis and to hopefully meet your expectations to the extent possible.
We promise you that as these cameras roll into our warehouse, they won’t linger for even a moment. They will be packed and shipped same-day on a strict first-in/first-out basis.
Be assured you that we don’t charge your credit card until the order ships. 

Customers have been asking our customer service and sales personnel questions like: How many units we have on order? How many we have on hold? Where a particular customer is on the waiting list? Please understand that they do not have access to this information. In spite of their genuine desire to be of help, they cannot possibly share information not available to them. We are unable to make this information widely available internally at this time. 

We fully understand your excitement to get this new Nikon DSLR in your hands, and we deeply regret the inconvenience the wait is causing. We are working diligently and hard (sweating actually!!!) to get it in your hands as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your understanding and support. We know you placed your trust in Adorama. We are working hard to continue to earn your trust. 

Sincerely,
Adorama Camera

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