Canon white paper and manual video control

The Canon white paper on the 5D Mark II says that it "provides amazing depth-of-field control" and that no 1080p HD video cameras provide "the depth-of-field control found in the EOS 5D Mark II" (page 14, "Video recording"). It seems that this is false advertising on their part and misleads customers as to the capabilities of the camera in video mode.

Perhaps the petition for manual control should include this whitepaper as a reminder that they promised these features and that we are not asking for something beyond normal expectations for a high end camera like the 5D Mark II.

Technically, this is true. No matter the difficulties with setting up the camera, the sensor size - and thus the selective focus characteristics - is twice that of the red or 35mm movie film (24x36 vs 16x24).

While the sensor does provide a shallower depth of field, the claim in the white paper is that the camera provides "amazing depth-of-field control". This clearly isn't true: without the ability to set the aperture on the lens while filming, there is no control of the region of selective focus. Sometimes the camera will decide that f/11 of f/16 is best, removing the advantage of the larger sensor.

Actually, this excites me!
I work in the software world where we live, breath, and get sued by, and because of, our documentation.
If the whitepaper states you can control it then it must be so. That's the reason we all bought the camera. Right?
If any of you are legal scholars - or have friends or spouses who are more versed in the legal profession, then this should be of interest to them - can you say "class action?"
I for one would be willing to sign. But perhaps even a well worded letter to Canon may be all it takes to unlock the ability to control DOF


Page 6 of the white paper...

The 1080p HD video
recording mode represents a paradigm shift for still photographers and videographers alike, and
promises to open new creative doors and
commercial opportunities for advanced,
professional, and fine art photographers.
With it activated, photographers and videographers
can capture high definition video
with depth-of-field control found only in
professional video models—using much more
affordable Canon EF lenses including fisheye,
ultra-wide, and image stabilized lenses.

So, Canon, how do I control my DOF?

my .02

Tom

That might be the key to a firmware upgrade which makes it possible to control the aperture.

Fair input and good idea -- stick it !

. . . can you say "class action?

Don't let Raplh hear you, he loves a good class action !

But perhaps even a well worded letter to Canon may be all it takes to unlock the ability to control DOF

Well I would certainly put my name to the list of signatures.

Perhaps someone should draft an open letter based on this angle, and put it up as a sticky for people to sign, link it to various other websites (DVXuser, DVInfo etc etc ) then forward it to Canon.

[ralph-FR]

he loves a good class action

Very good post.

I don't understand why so many people even in this forum, "Cinema5D", demonstrate some resistance to do things straightforwards for a full manual control available in the camera, but to argue "reasons" that Canon should not, or doesn't have to provide what they promised even in a written form, like you quoted.

I would simply delete those unhelpful post, that instead of contribute, they damage the benefit of people fairly claiming what it was promissed and advertised.