Some questions about 5D2 video recording

Which iso setting do you use maximum? Sometimes I see a hell of noise (and lines) with even a 35 1.4L and iso 1600 or 3200.

So Autofocus when moving the camera to the subject is not possible, you manually have to press the button, how can you film everything sharp with no hassle, highest f setting works?

CanonYouCan wrote in post #12571105
Which iso setting do you use maximum? Sometimes I see a hell of noise (and lines) with even a 35 1.4L and iso 1600 or 3200.

So Autofocus when moving the camera to the subject is not possible, you manually have to press the button, how can you film everything sharp with no hassle, highest f setting works?

I've used the highest ISO settings. You get noise, sure, but if it's really dark and your choice is either high ISO or turn the camera off and give up... I tend to go for the high ISO.

As far as focusing, I suggest you practice practice practice. Manually focusing isn't easy but it is much easier if you practice and get better at it.

CanonYouCan wrote in post #12571105
Which iso setting do you use maximum? Sometimes I see a hell of noise (and lines) with even a 35 1.4L and iso 1600 or 3200.

So Autofocus when moving the camera to the subject is not possible, you manually have to press the button, how can you film everything sharp with no hassle, highest f setting works?

I generally don't go above ISO1600, though it's not that noisy IMO. Computer screens tend make video look much worse than it really is, due to the high resolution and the short distance that you sit from it, on a typical HDTV it will look fine. Try to stay below ISO800 for most purposes, preferably ISO640.

As for focusing, it's all done manually using the focus ring on the lens, and keeping the subject in focus requires practice. Generally people like dSLRs for their ability to throw stuff out of focus, but it's also a nightmare to pull focus at wide apertures, especially without some sort of support rig.

If you want to film everything in focus and without hassle, then you're using the wrong camera, a camcorder with a small sensor, from 1/3" to 2/3" is far easier to use in situations where you can't plan out how you're going to pull focus. The downside is that camcorders comparable to SLRs in video quality are generally very expensive.

I think this will be implemented in the 5DMKIII, the 5DMKII was probably not ready for it.
When taking photos there's also an option (AI-SERVO) when you point your camera to a subject that it automatically focuses on that point, you don't have to press the "AF-ON" button especially like when filming.

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #12574970
If you want to film everything in focus and without hassle, then you're using the wrong camera, a camcorder with a small sensor, from 1/3" to 2/3" is far easier to use in situations where you can't plan out how you're going to pull focus. The downside is that camcorders comparable to SLRs in video quality are generally very expensive.

On the 5d I think most people are comfortable with 3200. It needs to have a proper exposure to record with little noise. I find the threshold at most receptions to be dropping the shutter from 1/50th to 1/30th. Add some magic bullet denoiser at 50% opacity in post and your golden. To improve your focusing rent an evf or monitor with focus peaking, makes things much easier. Also at receptions, stay wide so that you have more dof to work with. Shot below was moonlight and a candle.