5DMK2 HandHeld Video Recording?

So heres my dilemma,

How is the 5DMK2 Handheld? Is the video recording smooth or will it be very shakey?

I am thinking of pairing it up with a 16-35 F2.8 but I am scared without IS, it will be quite troublesome for me.

I do not want the 24-105 kit lens, because, I want the low aperture on the 16-35, and I will be doing a lot of filming at night.

Please provide some input, as it would be greatly appreciated.

Oh keeping in mind, this is my upgrade from my previous 400D/XTi.

It all depends on your hand's steadiness!

I suggest putting a monopod on the bottom to use as a grip, as it will steady your camera when video-ing rather than holding it normally. The IS won't be that much help, and if it's a quiet video the sound the IS makes will be very noticeable using the on-board mike.

You also have to trick the 5DMk2 into letting you keep that low DOF, sometimes, by using this trick: http://www.microstockg​roup.com …aperture-manual-override/

all depends on what type of results you're trying to get, too. Are you shooting a feature film or are you looking to capture some family moments? I've used it handheld with the 24-105L with IS OFF, and it's just like my Sony HD camcorder was (which is acceptable for what I'm trying to do with it: capture family moments).

It is possible but a monopod or tripod is highly advisable.

Yeah, like they said, it IS possible, but depends greatly on how steady your hands are and your focal length. I have some great handheld stuff from the 16-50mm range, and with my 24-105 I was able to get some semi-decent footage at 105 with the IS on (external mic so the IS sound wasn't picked up).

On the conservative side, if you're going longer than 50mm without IS, I'd say you need a tripod for excellent looking footage. 70mm for decent footage. 100mm is unusable for anything longer than 2-3 second clips without a tripod.

I wish the camera shake the footage has looked like handheld cinema clips at longer focal lengths, but alas it does not haha. It just looks like crap.

Thanks for all the input,

the camera will always be mounted on my tripod, and I will be mainly shooting with the 16-35 lens. I want the wide angle feel to my videos as I will be recording cities at night during my summer travel.
Would handheld the camera on the tripod work? Like holding the legs of the tripod to keep it steady?

Or my other consideration was the 24-70 F2.8.

Please advise

Kinky wrote in post #7915135
Thanks for all the input,

the camera will always be mounted on my tripod, and I will be mainly shooting with the 16-35 lens. I want the wide angle feel to my videos as I will be recording cities at night during my summer travel.
Would handheld the camera on the tripod work? Like holding the legs of the tripod to keep it steady?

Or my other consideration was the 24-70 F2.8.

Please advise

If you're going to keep it on the tripod, that'll work. Handheld on the tripod would work, too, as long as you can manage the tripod itself, hehe. Make sure it's got a head that's strong enough to hold the camera without moving... it's pretty heavy to be swinging around!

When you are using that 16-35, it will be doable because it's an ultrawide angle. Camera shake will be a lot less annoying. Handholding a tele for video will make viewers motion sick haha.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I think I've decided what I am going to get

Kinky wrote in post #7914487
So heres my dilemma,

How is the 5DMK2 Handheld? Is the video recording smooth or will it be very shakey?

I am thinking of pairing it up with a 16-35 F2.8 but I am scared without IS, it will be quite troublesome for me.

I do not want the 24-105 kit lens, because, I want the low aperture on the 16-35, and I will be doing a lot of filming at night.

Please provide some input, as it would be greatly appreciated.

Oh keeping in mind, this is my upgrade from my previous 400D/XTi.

I know you can use a steady cam unit, but I ran across this link. The guy makes some diy stabilizer, his videos are pretty steady..Might want to give it a try.http://cheesycam.com/

You can rule out using IS if you don't have an external microphone, as the internal one will pick up the sound of the IS mechanism constantly operating.

http://www.youtube.com …sj5U&feature=ch​annel_page

watch that video and you'll understand the importance of having one of these inventions. monopods are adequate for standing positions, however if you want to be filming and walking, steadicams are the route you should be considering.

first of all focusing is manual, so using it as an action type video cam is gonna pose quite a challenge unless you are sharp with your manual focusing skillz

second the lens you want does NOT have IS, so it will have quite a bit of camera shake when handheld for sure

with my short experience taking video with the 5d2, i find that using a tri/mono pod is highly advisable, and best suited for interview type scenarios where the subject you are shooting isnt moving that much if at all, so the focus rarely needs to be re-adjusted

my .02

hmm... So I'll really need to make myself a stabilizer eh?
well I guess for my trip, I'll just leave the camera on the tripod and just film regularly..

I know this is a beginner question, but how do you make everything focus when zoomed all the way out, for video recording? I'm guessing MF right, but at which setting?

kandyredcoi wrote in post #7955110
first of all focusing is manual, so using it as an action type video cam is gonna pose quite a challenge unless you are sharp with your manual focusing skillz

Since when are good ($20k-200K cameras) used with autofocus? I'd be more worried about videography problems on framing and exposure more than focusing. Even if the shot is off a little you can us it in web or dvd size. Shots that are not framed correctly or exposed right are impossible to fix. Remember, video editing is nowhere near the level of photography in terms of things you can fix after the fact, and even if you can fix it, it's not as easy or quick to do it.

EDIT:

Kinky wrote in post #7981764
hmm... So I'll really need to make myself a stabilizer eh?
well I guess for my trip, I'll just leave the camera on the tripod and just film regularly..

I know this is a beginner question, but how do you make everything focus when zoomed all the way out, for video recording? I'm guessing MF right, but at which setting?

On 5dmkii, you can't unless you trick the camera into another aperture. On point and shoot style camcorders, that's the only thing that happens. I suggest you get yourself a camcorder with all the auto settings on, it'll serve you better than a 5dmkii.