A Room with a View

Here is a picture taken from entrance on the 10th floor of my apartment. You can see all the little houses, mountains and a pond named Bentenike Pond. This photo is taken from the 10th floor of my apartment. A wonderful view of the Nigawa area in Takarazuka City. I also put my Canon HV20 outside one morning to capture the sunrise again. I find that I'm using my HV20 far less these days unless I'm going for some time-lapse and I don't want to worry about leaving more expensive gear in the open. The total recorded time was just over an hour and was compressed into 39 seconds. Some color correction was done in Adobe Premier Pro using Magic Bullet Looks.

Sunrise Time-Lapse from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

A Great Short Film on the Canon 7D

This is another great video that inspires. The 10 minute short captured by the Canon 7D is done masterfully well. It feels a bit like the movie Stranger than Fiction, but just a bit. What is impressive is the acting, the cinematography, the coloring and editing. And of course we can't forget that this was all something filmed on a camera that cost less than 2000 bucks.

Vicky and Sam from Nuno Rocha on Vimeo.

GoPro HD All over the car

This would be the first time I actually use the little camera and it's various attachments to see how it would stand up in the extreme conditions of Japanese highways etc.



Obviously, checking footage isn't possible unless you bring a laptop into the field with you. You have to kind of guess what you what taken and just work with what you get. I wouldn't rely solely on this for a project. This is definitely one of those cameras that are for "Danger Zones" so as not to break your more expensive gear.

The suction cup was amazingly strong. I was surprised at times that it didn't leave any kind of markings on the car. I had it in it's waterproof sealed case rather than having it open at the back because clouds where in the air and I wasn't sure if it was going to rain or not. That left me with some crap audio to work with.

I hope to get a small video up showing what I got. Some of the video is fogged up due to the moisture in the air I'm sure. The battery lasted surprisingly long. At one point on the highway I thought "The battery has to be dead or the card full." When I jumped out the next chance I got I was surprised to see it was still going strong.

HDR video - It's here, it's neat

HDR Video Demonstration Using Two Canon 5D mark II's from Soviet Montage on Vimeo.

....but I see a lot of people already complaining. I haven't seen a video in HDR, this would be the first. Perhaps I'm in the dark a bit on this. However, when HDR photography was introduced to the masses it was quickly used on EVERYTHING as a means of turning a dull photo into a not-so-dull photo...but a still in the 'dull' category. HDR has it's place in the world of photography. I'm not sure where HDR will play a huge roll in video/cinematography, but for now it looks very neat. You need 2 DSLR bodies recording the video, one under-exposed and the other over-exposed while capturing. It will be interesting to see what will become of this.

Then, there's the move I made from one end of the Kansai area to another. A couple photos of the beautiful new view I have from my apartment and the first visitor we had. How he got to the 10th floor is beyond me.





Also, I'd like to congratulate Nikki and Nozomi on their wedding. I wasn't their as the photographer so you'll have to put up with some odd angled, slightly noisy photos. All the best to you 2.

GoPro HD Hero Pics and Vids

Been a while...

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Life can get a bit crazy at times here in Japan. The summer is way too hot and humid. The air-conditioners cost a lot to run so my wife and I avoid it by using fans and ice packs, very old-school.

BUT you don't want to hear about life and how hard it can be...you want to know about the GoPro HD Hero and it's abilities.

First thing is first...for the price, it is a great little toy. Video delivers in great HD quality and the pics are very usable. I wouldn't go trading in your DSLR or anything but the quality of the 5MP camera isn't that bad for photography.

There is a down side to this and the biggest is not being able to compose your shots since there is no LCD screen for you to use. You actually have absolutely no idea what you've taken until you get home and put it on your PC. That is of course unless you have a laptop you bring into the field with you. Also, since you have no manual control over the aperture, the following problem CAN occur when using video: You start your video in a bright scene where your GoPro HD will open stop down the lens (Close the size of the hole of the lens in order to reduce the light coming in to allow a proper exposure of the scene). Then you turn off your GoPro HD. Then your in another scenario where the area your filming is a bit darker. Your aperture will be stopped down (From the previous scene you recorded)and will start off very dark and slowly brighten as the aperture opens up (The hole of the lens gets bigger). However, if you are not aware of this you may take your footage 'dark' and think you've taken it properly exposed. THAT'S the disadvantage (Or one of many) to not being able to compose your shots. Of course, GoPro is planning on add-on packs, one which will be an LCD screen so you CAN compose and review your shots (Still photos or video).

Still, the pros outweigh the cons. It's small, indestructible in it's case, able to mount onto ANYTHING without worrying about replacing it if it does happen to fall and break. The fact it's water-proof up to 60m deep when many pro HDSLR water-housing units are in 1000's of dollars (I have an Epic Water-Housing unit which I would have NOT bought had I known I could get a camera AND housing unit in one for the same price).

The unit comes with 2 outer casings, one that allows more audio in (But is not water-proof and one that is completely water proof. The little I have used it in water, it's turned out pretty good. Some have complained about fogging. I can say that I have had fogging issues not with going under-water but going from a nice air-conditioned bus to a very hot and humid outside...a little wipe with a cloth will fix that in most cases.

It doesn't have 24p but it's slowed down 60i is wonderful and it's 30p can easily be converted to 24p in post-processing if necessary. GoPro has stated it's up and coming firmware update will include a 25p (And perhaps 24p) frame rate. Customers have also asked about being able to set the camera to take video up-side-down so that they can avoid this in post (The attachments for the GoPro are versatile so to allow almost any angle of shooting) Some like to have their GoPro set up-side-down and want the camera to take the video this way so they don't mess with it in post (I personally don't see this as a big deal since you're composing your video on scene...you're guesstimating.)

The various attachments make this a must for many sports users, rock climbers, cliff divers, racer car drivers etc. It's a safe camera to use if you're not sure setting up an expensive unit is worth the risk. I wouldn't get this for photography ONLY. Taking a bit of time to understand the field of view in it's different settings is a must so you can guesstimate what you're going to get out of it when you have it in any of the settings. The front menu LCD is a bit, what's the word: chaotic, encrypticogopheric (Is that a word)...hard to understand would best summarize it. If you want to use it for photography, learn the settings...if you want to use it for video, learn how to go back and forth between 30p and 60i and it's different field's of view. I still take video and pictures with my thumb in the way. Give yourself enough time (When taking video) to allow the aperture to stop down or open up to allow the exposure to compensate for itself.

For the money it's a great b-camera. Get yourself one and say I told you so (Maybe if you say my name enough they'll send me some free stuff, and free is always good, if it's useful). I've recommended this to many friends and most of them have got themselves one. A lesson or two from me and they know what to do in their individual circumstances. At the end of the day, you have to decide whether you can live without composing...that is until they get their LCD add-on...at which time this review may be invalid (But still, mention my name...it can't hurt)

Below you'll see a couple of shots taken with the GoPro HD and a video I've posted on Vimeo. The last 3 videos have been with the GoPro HD Hero ONLY because it's been small and easy to use compared to the Canon 1D Mark 4 I usually use.

Takarazuka Gardens from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

At the end of the day I can only say that if you like photography or video and you need a camera you can afford to lose and not worry too much about your wallet but enjoy as much as if you had spent a whole wad of cash on, this is it. No turning back on this one!

My ugly mug


Harmonie Ambrassee Wedding Hotel




If this review was helpful to you, send me a quit email to let me know. I'm a fan of flattery...but at the end of the day, if you've bought yourself a good usable camera that helps your business or the ability to enjoy life with your friends and family, that's all that's important.

Here is a video that I really enjoyed taken with GoPro HD Hero and an RC airplane.

wet weekend from Wobby on Vimeo.

Now that's what I call VIDEO to the EXTREME!!

The Ishigaki Jima Saga

5 Days of Ishigaki Island

The weather was not in our favor for this 5 day trip. We arrived on a Monday and left on a Friday. It rained every single day except for Friday, but even then it was windy. It meant less Canon 1DM4 time on the beaches and more time in the car driving around checking out the island.

The island itself is beautiful. Tomochi and I both saw the beauty of the island even though it was miserable weather. The water was still that nice blue color that you only get in the tropics. There was a patch of sun without rain one Thursday morning so I took the Canon HV20 and the Epic Cam water housing system out for a test run. I will do a small review on the Epic Cam at a later time.

This was the first time filming underwater and I think I have plenty to learn about what you need to get a good solid piece of film to work with. Because I wasn't able to view the LCD while recording, I didn't notice that I turned it off and spent a good 30-40 minutes THINKING I was filming when I wasn't.

If you're thinking about going, do! It's a wonderful place. My only real advice when staying there is to stick to the hotel restaurants or to buy your food at the supermarket. Tomochi and I were not entire successful in finding local restaurants that didn't make our stomachs turn. The hotel restaurants on the other hand were great and affordable.

Here are the 5 days I spent with Tomochi on the Island of Ishigaki:
Everything was either hand-held or on a monopod. I love my monopod

Ishigaki Day 1 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Ishigaki Day 2 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Ishigaki Day 3 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Ishigaki Island Day 4 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/11597224

Ishigaki Day 5 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Canon 1D Mark IV - The transition to Canon and review

Canon 1D Mark IV - The transition to Canon and review

The story of my transition from Nikon to Canon is long and boring. In short, the Nikon D700 I had was suppose to be my ‘photography’ tool, while my new Canon 7D and lenses would be my video gear as my Canon HV20 was now limiting my creative ability. Having just entered the world of motion photography, I was extremely impressed by the Canon 5DM2 and the videos I was seeing on Vimeo.

The Canon 7D was a fun toy and it got me use to the Canon body, but I quickly got tired of carrying a Canon 7D + lenses and gear AND a Nikon D700 for photography. Enter the Canon 1DM4 (*Applause everyone*)

I sold all my 7D and D700 equipment to buy myself a Canon 1DM4, the only one available in my area and at a discount price. With the extra cash I bought myself some nice L glass and so started my new adventure.

Going from Nikon cameras to Canon for photography is a bit tough at first, but you get used to it. From a photographer’s point of view, this camera is worth the extra money compared to the Canon 7D. I say this because I do a lot of photography at night without strobes. While fast glass is one way of dealing with this issue, a nice ISO setting with minimal noise is also pretty killer. Add to that the 10fps when doing sports photography or trying to capture those droplet shots we love and hate.
But how about the video?

Well, if I were looking at something for JUST video, I would stick with the Canon 7D. The reasons:

- High ISO
- I see very little difference in rolling shutter.
- While high ISO is nice, it’s not worth the extra money when you can get yourself a nice lighting setup or faster glass.
- The white balance setting on top allows you to easily use the Kelvin temperature to monitor white balance. There is a way to do it on the Canon 1DM4 but it’s a two step process which can become tiresome when shooting on the go.
- The white balance setting on top allows you to easily use the Kelvin temperature to monitor white balance. There is a way to do it on the 1DM4 but it’s a two step process which can become tiresome when shooting on the go.
- Being able to setup C1, C2 and C3 is a great way to go from photography to 24p to 60p.
- It’s cheaper! With the Canon 7D I felt that if I broke it I could work a couple of months and replace it (I’d still cry, but not for as long) whereas I doubt my wife would let me buy another Canon 1DM4 if it were to meet the pavement at a high speed. Price is important unless you’re making money. Even then, I could see Canon 1DM4 working in conjunction with several Canon 7D’s.
- Of course L glass is more expensive and you have to use L glass on your Canon 1DM4 even though it’s a crop sensor. While L glass is nice, I loved my Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens. It was THE lens for me and my short lived Canon 7D days.

For those of you who are still looking for reasons to go the way of the Canon 1DM4 here they are:

- High ISO with quality images makes it a wonderful tool to work with in dark situations. It is incredible.
- The larger body makes it easier to handle. You could of course get the battery grip for the Canon 7D making it larger and easier to handle though.
- Dual card slots so you don’t have to swap cards in the middle of a shoot.
- Auto-ISO that works very well as an auto exposure setting. I choose the shutter speed and aperture and the brains of the Canon 1DM4 dials in the ISO to maintain exposure and image quality. It’s smart!
- Did I mention the ISO?

Here is a video I shot over the course of the evening with the Canon 1DM4. I used the Sigma 24mm 1.8 lens the entire night. AWB was used because it wasn’t something I expected to get ‘perfect’ as I’m still just having fun. It hasn’t been graded. Edited in Premier Pro CS4. Compared to the 7D shots I have, I don’t see that much of a difference, but you be the judge.

Dirty Old Men from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Debute

So I've got myself a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV with some nice new L glass. I spent the evening testing out the high ISO for noise levels and for photography, I'm loving it. As far as video is concerned, I've still got to fine tune my skills in handling noise/gain. I should have a nice video going by sometime next week. Here's hoping for a good 2010 with the EOS-1D Mark IV.

7D Finale

late SHINENKAI - Monterey Kyoto from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

This was taken with the 7D, the last time I would use it before shipping it off to the U.K. I've also shipped off the wonderful lenses I bought with the 7D AND all my Nikon gear. What does this mean? It means I've spent that extra little money to get the Canon 1DM4. I will be adding new video and photos. It's a bit sad that I let go of both the 7D and D700. The 7D was my first Canon, but what a first. It was capable of so much and the lenses were extremely affordable. The Nikon D700 had a full-frame sensor and was good with high ISO levels. To get the best of both worlds, I sold all I had and got the new 1DM4 and I'm loving it for both photography and video. The above video was the last time I would use the Canon 7D. Enjoy! Next round is on the 1DM4.

Inspirational Videos - Not mine, but I wish it was

let yourself feel. from Esteban Diácono on Vimeo.

This is a video that apparently uses Trapcode Particular to create the effects seen. A wonderful use of the AE plug-in.

Compositing - 3D

Compositing Breakdown (T&S) from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

I Feel Pretty - By Chigusa

I Feel Pretty - Chigusa from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

A Westside Story classic performed by Chigusa at Tom's Warehouse in Shinsaibashi. A wonderful voice, performance and all around act. The only trouble was with getting her voice recorded properly on the Zoom H4n and Rode Stereo Video mic. Hopefully next time I will have some new gear equipped to handle such a voice.

Rode Stereo Video mic on 7D

Nella Fantasia from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

The Rode Stereo video mic was fit into the hot shoe of the 7D which was standing about 2.5 meters away from the talent. Even though the mic is great, the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) makes the captured audio not so hot. The fact that the mic is being used in a setting where it really shouldn't (Not the right mic for this type of audio recording) was something I knew going into it. I just wondered if the audio was any better WITH than WITHOUT. Under these circumstances I don't think it matters. Crap is crap.

Below is the same clip with some editing done to the audio (And a different color correction applied). I hope to get my Zoom H4n to another session on the weekend.

Nella Fantansia (Slight Audio Correction) from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Osaka Aquarium 大阪海遊館

Osaka Aquarium 大阪　海遊館 from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

A day at the aquarium in Osaka. I had actually left the house with a half charged battery in my 7D. I didn't realize until I got to the aquarium. Realizing that I had to be careful about setting up my shots and not taking too much 'what if' style shots where I wasn't certain what the outcome would be, I was set to go through the aquarium taking video at both 1080 24p and 720p 60i (Converted to 24p). I was shooting through 30 centimeter acrylic glass most of the time. A lot of the glass was dirty as well. I was also forced to go with a higher ISO than I usually like to use on the 7D. Color correcting this was a pain and it shows that I sort of gave up mid way. I do plan on visiting the aquarium again, with a full battery (Or 3) and take more time setting up the shots.

Shinsekai in Slow Motion

Slow-Mo Shinsekai from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.

Using some time off during the holidays I decided to go to the zoo. Unfortunately, the zoo was closed. I decided to head into Shinsekai and take video at 720p 60i with the intention of converting the footage to 24 frames a second to give it that nice slow-motion effect. It also gave me the chance to use the cheap Neutral Density fader filter so that I could leave the lens wide open and not worry about the image being blown out/over-exposed. I didn't have much to work with because the cold was getting to me. I will work harder to get better shots next time around.