III. VIDEO RECORDING ON EOS 5D MARK II | 16 |
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In order to view 100% of the scene while recording in 16:9 ratio HD or 4:3 ratio SD, the camera automatically adjusts the LCD display to the proper aspect ratio with unused portions of the normal 3:2 aspect ratio still image area partially grayed out. The display can also be set to include exposure and time remaining indicators, as well as the movable focus frame area. In playback mode, a familiar tool bar allows you to jump from scene to scene, pause action, or proceed in slow motion. When connected to an HDTV via an optional HDMI cable, the camera automatically senses the resolution of the TV and provides the proper signal for the highest quality video playback possible.
Video Display (16:9) | Video Display (4:3) |
Since the camera records video using the popular “.mov” storage format, a wide variety of movie editing programs can be used to edit the video clips or combine clips into short videos. Canon includes its Movie Edit Task software, for Mac or Windows computers, to allow basic video editing at the computer. These clips can then be resaved on a CF card and played back on the camera monitor or fed out to an HDTV via an HDMI cable or provided audio video cable. That’s a great way to show off your video highlight or even slideshow portfolios of your favorite subjects.
Positioning Thinking outside the box: Many still photographers have never even used a camcorder or had video training. To them, the HD video recording mode on the EOS 5D Mark II might seem as odd a feature as adding Live View Function once did on a DSLR. (But once you’ve used Live View Function to shoot an otherwise impossible macro shot, or take photos remotely from a computer, you’ll understand its benefits.) So here are some scenarios where the video recording feature might help to increase a photographer's sales or capture unforgettable moments:
Wedding photographers: Some couples can’t afford to hire both a professional photographer and a professional videographer, and when they can, both pros can’t always be in the same place at the same time. The EOS 5D Mark II can be used to capture an HD video of the bride throwing the bouquet (freezing the flowers in mid air in a still frame, of course!) and then continue to record HD action as bridesmaids and guests battle for control of the bouquet (or turn and run in the other direction!)
