Spheron HDR Video camera footage

Spheron HDR video – footage from SpheronVR AG on Vimeo.

I would have LOVED to have seen some dramatic backlit scenes as examples.  I was most interested in the lighting examples around the 3 minute mark in the above video because of the way you can relight shadows due to the latitude in the file/capture.

Full Spheron Press Release here: http://bit.ly/bnjShW

Excellent to see this work done. The cost of the camera is beyond mere mortals and it is huge, but this is coming to us all in a not so distant future.  Its only a matter of time before we have true HDR Video devices that can tackle difficult exposure issues that exceed current day sensors.

Check this video out!!!  Amazing results!

I’ve toyed with pseudo HDR Video myself, but nothing real time.  This was created with a Nikon D3 shooting brackets one after another, then tonemapped and tweaked in post to create a video like tilt.

HDR Video – Eden Gardens 2008 from Michael James on Vimeo.

T2i gets some HDR love according to Canon themselves.  The quote from their press release reads:

“”"The new Rebel T2i also has an expanded ± 5 EV exposure compensation range allowing for much more versatility when shooting in extremely bright or dark environments; or when shooting HDR (high dynamic range) images.“”"

My question is… does the camera shoot 3 AEB and allow +/-5.0EV? Because their language says exposure compensation range.  So is it a capture “range” of 5EV or how it reads preceding those words which shows ± 5 EV with the focus on the Plus or Minus.

Currently they have no user  manual available for download so this is a mystery at the moment.  CanonUSA.com doesn’t show a line item for AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) like they usually do for their cameras so again… no definitive answer as of yet.  The fact they made a point to comment on the expanded range for HDR capture makes me believe they jumped up significantly here.  I can’t wait to hear the actual specs.

I’ve pre-ordered one through Amazon already.  The manual controls of full HD video, an external mic input, frame rates, etc… make this a no brainer backup body and video workhorse for certain shoots.

HDR Video is something I started toying around with in 2007.  The post production side of it was a challenge and a whole series of blog posts to touch on what I’ve found to be “best practices” for me.  The image below shows one single frame of the video. Each frame actually consists of 7 shots taken on continuous shutter release at 9fps on a D3.  Each frame was merged to HDR and tonemapped and then laid down in Final Cut Pro’s timeline.  The D3 was on a tripod with a fluid head and it was a manual (not perfect) tilt move.

I started doing the HDR Video segments for architectural shoots for builders, architects, realtors, rental companies, vrbo … the kitchen sink.  I had exported them out for video CD-Roms and marketing DVDs. The problem then was that the whole HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray DVD was a battle that had not been fully settled yet.  So I didn’t bother exporting out the segments to high definition.  I’m going back to old hard drives and bringing that footage back online into Final Cut Pro and doing that now so that I can export out to 720p for Vimeo and 1080p for YouTube.

The first one I converted to HD was not an architectural interior, but rather a segment I shot near the back yard of a client’s home for sale that happens to bump up against a state park here in North West Florida called “Eden Gardens”.  I’m still exporting and uploading the YouTube 1080p version and that won’t be done until later tonight after the Super Bowl, but the Vimeo 720p version is live now.  I’d let it cache and watch it full screen.  There is also a link to the right and below that allows you to download the video to your computer if you want to see it in much greater detail.  It is 720p, H.264 quicktime at 30fps.

I’m not even going to embed it. You really need to view this at full rez.  Here’s the link:
HDR VIDEO on VIMEO – 720p HD

I’ll be uploading more videos in the coming weeks.  All were shot from 2007 to 2009.

The Nikon D700s is probably one of the most sought after Nikon cameras.

The amount of chatter surrounding the Nikon D700s is truly amazing.  In fact I get over a dozen hits a day from a very old blog post from summer 2009 where I said the D3s would likely be released before any D700s simply from a corporate perspective (money flows).

The logic of a D700s (the naming convention) makes sense from Nikon’s perspective and past.  The D300s was their upgraded D300 adding video.  The D3s followed suit from the D3, but from reports in the field, the D3s sensor is in fact a NEW sensor and explains the dramatically improved high ISO performance.  So we have the D300 ==> D300s and the D3 ==> D3s and the expectations are now to see a D700s follow the D700.

A Nikon D700s if following the chronological order of past releases should release in spring or early summer of 2010 (North America seasons). Logic would also lead one to believe it will be the same D3s sensor with low light sensitivity and of course video capabilities matching the D3s.  I’m not predicting this mind you.  For all I know Nikon jumps right to a D800 with even newer features that warrant moving to the next generation of numbers.

What I can predict with certainty is that the D700s will disappoint everyone when it is priced.  Like the D3s, the D700s will likely be priced HIGHER than you’d think it should be (much like the reaction of the D3s pricing).  You can just go ahead and plan on a price point for the D700s that will piss you off.  And after early adaptors demand dries up in 6-9 months Nikon will lower the D700s price accordingly.  But those who can’t justify the costs of a D3s will consider the D700s despite the initial price tag which will not be “fair” in the eyes of many.

Make no mistake the D700s AEB for HDR capture is a hefty 9AEB and the camera is a solid performer with high FPS bursts.  The D700 line has been compared to the Canon 5D mark II, but I consider that an unfair price/value comparison if you are an HDR shooter.

Christian Bloch who runs HDRlabs.com and is a VFX Artist at EdenFX just posted a great overview video on Vimeo. It covers using a high res HDR image as backdrop for an entire green screen scene. “The Advantage is total flexibiliy of viewpoint and exposure, leaving more time for detail enhancements and animations.”

He also posted a video “Demonstrating using Gigapano sized photographic imagery for rapid prototyping shots of city flyovers.”

Both are excellent examples of using images in a video/compositing post production environment. Even if you don’t intend to learn video editing or compositing they are worth watching just to see how the photos were used in concert with 3D/2D compositing.

Christian is the author of The HDRI Handbook which I wish I had found back when it was first released! It would have saved me time figuring out a ton of geeky stuff I found out on my own through various sources online. It is not a beginner’s book by any means, but an amazing reference.  He’s announced he is working on a 2nd edition this year and I’ll definitely be getting that one as well when it releases.

Jack Howard has put together a great list of top class HDR capable cameras over at Adorama’s Learning Center.  Check out the list here:   2009 HDR All-Stars

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For you iPhone addicts, check out the very interesting app that allows you to take two images and they get tonemapped in the iPhone.  The app is called TrueHDR =  http://pictional.com/TrueHDR/Videos.html

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Here is a recent shoot I did for an existing client. On this shoot I used a D3 exclusively and many of the shots required a range of -5 to +5 EV in total.
Builder Shoot (Gallery Link)

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Here is a link to a High Dynamic Range Image sequence.  It is a “tilt” sequence I shot at a local garden near a state park.  This series was shot with a D3 and each frame is actually 7 images spaced 1EV apart and then tonemapped before being placed one after the other in post.

The amount of quality lost when exporting to a web video format is horrifying, but I have no choice.  The full 1080p version has no loss of color, detail/clarity or color shifts.  That said, here is the link to the web clip:
HDR Video (link to landing page)

Rather than hash out every single detail, I’ll link to Pentax USA’s site below to the K-x.  However, a few notable features that I’m amazed to see on a $599 DSLR+Kit Lens combo:

• Sensor shift stabilization (up to 4 stops) for stills AND video
• 720p HD at 24fps
• 4.7 FPS in continuous shutter
• 1/6000 second shutter
• HDR Capture Mode (processed in camera for you to a JPEG)

The Pentax K-x I kind of let slip by without mention.  It also has the HDR capture mode of the K-7 (where it takes 3 bracketed shots and auto processes in camera to a tonemapped JPEG).  However, it does NOT have the AEB capabilities of the K-7, but for 1/2 the price of a K-7 of course there are always compromises. I just saw that the K-x + kit lens is only $599 so I am just going to have to get one and post a review on it in the next 30 days.

Hell, the thing even does 720p at 24fps native. Probably not super high quality, but at this price point… a no brainer for a small form factor DSLR.

More info here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-x_Black/

Pentax has released a pretty juicy K-7 plus lens(es) rebate. Buy a Pentax K-7 and get $100 off each pentax lens on the rebate form (listed on the PDF and below).  You can buy up to five pentax lenses under the rebate which means you could save up to $500 on Pentax glass.

The rebate is in the form of a visa gift card.  The K-7 has dropped since its introductory price as well making this a great time to jump in if you are looking for a digital system and you like the K-7 features.

PENTAX K-7 REBATE

K-7 Lens Kit w/DA 18-55mm WR $100.00
UPC Code: 027075155305– Product Code: 17831

DA ★ 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) $100.00
UPC Code: 027075129276 – Product Code: 21660

DA ★ 55mm F1.4 $100.00
UPC Code: 027075147348 – Product Code: 21790

DA ★ 200mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM $100.00
UPC Code: 027075139213 – Product Code: 21700

DA 15mm F4.0 ED Limited $100.00
UPC Code: 027075147362 – Product Code: 21800

DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited $100.00
UPC Code: 027075122161 – Product Code: 21590

DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited $100.00
UPC Code: 027075141209 – Product Code: 21730

DA 40mm F2.8 Limited $100.00
UPC Code: 027075111004 – Product Code: 21550

DA 70mm F2.4 Limited $100.00
UPC Code: 027075124783 – Product Code: 21620

DA 10-17mm Fisheye F3.5-4.5 ED (IF) $100.00
UPC Code: 027075117280 – Product Code: 21580

DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) $100.00
UPC Code: 027075114173 – Product Code: 21577

DA 14mm F2.8 ED (IF) $100.00
UPC Code: 027075042568 – Product Code: 21510

DA 16-45mm F4.0 ED, AL $100.00
UPC Code: 027075079762 – Product Code: 21507

DA 17-70mm F4.0 ED (IF) SDM $100.00
UPC Code: 027075141223 – Product Code: 21740

DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR $100.00
UPC Code: 027075154407 – Product Code: 21880

DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II $100.00
UPC Code: 027075139220 – Product Code: 21717

DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED WR $100.00
UPC Code: 027075154308 – Product Code: 21870

DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED $100.00
UPC Code: 027075113695 – Product Code: 21567

DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED $100.00
UPC Code: 027075141186 – Product Code: 21720

D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro $100.00
UPC Code: 027075108639 – Product Code: 21530

D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro $100.00
UPC Code: 027075108622 – Product Code: 21520

FA 50mm F1.4 $100.00
UPC Code: 027075030534 – Product Code: 20817

Very interesting tech for both video and stills.  In development. http://www.livetechnologies.com.au/products.htm

A brief video showing a blurb about it here (Inventors: Live Lens):

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2746555.htm