HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THEE, 5D?

 I own a Canon 5D Mark II DSLR.  For those of you in the know, the 5D has made huge waves in the digital photography and filmmaking community over the past year - not only for its enormous full frame sensor but for its ability to shoot 1080p HD video, in such low light with such striking results.  The lines between photographer and filmmaker have already begun to blur - if you have yet to see photographer Vincent LaForet's Reverie take a look and be blown away by the capabilities of the camera.  Within weeks of release, after-market products for the 5D began popping up everywhere, including full camera rigs, matte boxes, transforming this DSLR camera into a legitimate filmmaking tool.  Craig Cockerill, an LA-based director of photography we recently worked with just shot a Cadillac commercial with five of them.  

Hours after receiving the camera one of our favorite collaborators gaffer/DP Jon Turk was at our apartment enthusiastically discussing his purchase of a 5D package as we captured the moment with said camera.  In addition to the 5D I picked up a tilt+shift Lensbaby for a project I am shooting b roll for now.  
Keith Loutit's tilt+shift work is also a big inspiration for the b roll on that project, if you have yet to see it watch this very cool clip:


Bathtub V from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.
Certainly, there are limitations to the camera and it isn't perfect for every project, but to capture this type of image at this price point, it is truly exciting to be a filmmaker in this day and technological age. Many people are now seeing it as something they need to build out as more of a "film-style" camera, however, I see it as something that can allow me to shoot multiple angles at once - cheaper and faster, and with less light. I'm also I'm shooting more stills than ever, and this has sharpened my sense of composition and light. I take it everywhere with me, and now love stumbling upon events like pro-amateur wrestling in a parking lot on the west side of Cleveland...

It will be interesting to see still photographers beginning to make moving images and film directors shooting stills. I have to say, I rarely think about my Sony EX3 anymore, which sits feet away from my desk. Of course, technology is never a substitute for craft and aesthetic, but this quality of image at this price, is a beautiful thing...