Final Cut Pro and Canon 5D Mark II

Google "rolling shutter."

Editorial comment: Why not shoot video using a video camera? Eliminate all those hassles.

bogiesan

The rolling shutter would only be the problem if the jitter was there BEFORE you tried to convert it. It it looks fine before the conversion, then it's likely you have either an improper frame rate, or an improper field dominance when you convert. Make sure all settings match the original except the codec.

I'm sure I can help. First, make sure you're shooting with right shutter speed. Unless you seek a specific high speed shutter effect, make sure your shutter is set to 1/50th. Set your camera to shoot at 24 frames per second. At 1/50th, you'll get the proper "motion blur" that will give your work a cinematic natural look.

Next, download a free plug-in from Canon's site that allows for fast and easy conversion to Apple ProRes right in Log and Transfer in Final Cut - no Twixtor or Compressor mPeg Streamclip needed. Download here: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slrcameras/eos_5d_markii#DriversAndSoftware

You'll need to choose your operating system to see the EOS Movie Plug-In E1.

Make sure your've set up the proper sequence settings in Final Cut. Make sure you're operating at 24 (23.98) frames a second. Choose Apple Pro Res also in the setup. Do all of this, and you'll be looking at feature film quality results - promise.

The Popper wrote:
...and you'll be looking at feature film quality results - promise.

Mmm, not quite. You had me up until the "feature film" quality bit...

Sure, these cameras shoot really nice footage. No question. However, the people that are executing the best results are those that are well aware of the limitations of these cameras and are doing what's necessary to cope with these issues, while on set. There are certainly things to be aware of with the DSLR footage: moiring, aliasing, rolling shutter and general image softening. come to mind. There can also be artifacts from the H.264 compression that often comes to light once you start trying to grade the footage beyond the most modest amount.

If these cameras cost $15,000 then no one would be talking about how amazing they are. Part of the fashion of shooting with these DSLR's right now is cost: they're cheap to buy/rent/use. But "feature film" quality? Sorry, not in my book. Unless you consider movies like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity" to be feature quality. (Both of these, and I'm sure other 'low budget' films, were shot on small/cheap camcorders.)

Maybe I'm one of the few folks that puts a premium on image fidelity while most other folks are embracing the concept of " good enough".

Just my 2¢ here...

Well stated and intelligent. Your reply is rightfully without my superlatives. However, let me add this. I'm a tv commercial director. I recently shot a 35mm spot with a renowned cinematographer (Head & Shoulders with Troy Polamalu and his growing massive hair). I set up my 7D and shot one take of every set up. And matched my edit to the agency edit, and then colored my footage with Magic Bullet Looks on my Macbook Pro to match the agency color which was certainly done on a DaVinci. And guess what? I can barely tell the difference. And the laymen who the commercial is intended for? They wouldn't understand the conversation, let alone perceive the difference in the visual.

I've worked with the RED, and oddly I find the Canon footage more "film" like. Not sure why.

I've heard that "House" is mixing Canon 5D footage with film in this new season. So I guess these are the reasons I'm saying "feature film quality". There's a range in features, of course. The Oscars remind us of that every year.

PremPost wrote:
It is a real simple problem, no point starting a war over it
I will look at the canon software and post the results. for me twixtor does a great job just trying to find a faster solution.
Cheers...

But I still don't know what your original issue was. Since we're FCP users, mostly, and not experts in all many of acquisition formats, I assume other Canon users are your best bet for Canon issues. Even Twixtor has a support forum. And without seeing what you're talking about, guys like me and RedTruck can only guess if you even know what your'e talking about or whether your description has any credibility. A "jitter" suggests vertical movement but our experience around where is that Canon posts are usually about field, interlacing, and shutter speed issues.

bogiesan

I'm a photographer. I shoot with Nikons. I have a Panasonic 170 for my HD video but I'd be hapy with my old Sony 170 and plain ol' DV.
If I needed video from a DSLR, I'd shoot it.
I don't.
I don't need a Red camera system.
I don't need a jib.
I don't need a gyro-stabilized helicopter mount.
I don't need a Steadicam rig.
Heck, I don't even need an iPad.

bogiesan

PremPost wrote:
...no point starting a war over it ...

We're not even close, and I don't see it heading that direction either...

Anyway, my point was/is simply: this is a perfectly fine camera—for the cost. With undeniable limitations. Know what they are, try to shoot around them and you'll probably go home with footage that is satisfactory for your needs.

Anyway, in the vein, of staying on topic: if you can give us more details about what you're seeing, it will help us diagnose/remedy the problem. All we've heard is, it "jitters". Can you post footage somewhere? Or better describe the problem? Exactly what is Twixtor being used for? It has a different purpose than the other items you've mentioned: Compressor, Streamclip, etc.

What are you monitoring the footage on? A computer monitor? Do you have a broadcast quality or professional color grading HD monitor? Also, how fast are you panning the camera? Are you following fast moving object? Or are you letting them fly by the lens? The camera doesn't have a problem any more than my Honda Civic has a problem because it won't beat my friend's Aston Martin off the line. It's mainly about knowing the limitations of the camera and working within them.

Look at this video. It's a year old, and they've released a plug-in for AE and Nuke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITkLwVgxo98

Have you tried using the Canon Movie Plugin software for importing.

It's available here http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slrcameras/eos_5d_markii#DriversAndSoftware

Choose your operating system, then select the ce1100x.dmg.zip file.

You need to make sure you copy the original CF card from the camera correctly onto your drive, this is best done by creating a "New Image" using "Disc Utility" in your Utlilities folder. You can then Log and Transfer in FCP6 or 7 from the disc image you created. This plug in has the added advantage of converting the camera's time of day data to timecode, useful if you wish to re-import etc. You can also choose which ProRes type you wish to import as, or as AIC.

Shane Ross has an excellent video tutorial on how to do all this
http://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/8/1101273

My 2 bobs worth:

I have a 5D as well as a Canon XL-H1. THe 5D quality beats the H1 hands down using a full 35mm sensor. You also have the benefit of the EF lenses which give you far better DOF control than the H1.
However the drawbacks with it is that it does not autofocus (although the H1 I have is panfully slow)and it's very difficult when the subject is changing distance relateive to the camera. Great for controlled situations though.

Usually I find the problem is with shutter speed being too fast, need to shoot either manual or Tv and use ND filters to control the light so you can set your aperture to what you want.