Apple released Quicktime 7.6 today, which “includes changes that increase reliability, improve compatibility and enhance security.” Sweet. Undocumentedly, it also changes how Quicktime movies made with the Canon 5D Mark II are decoded—for the better.
Above is the same 5D clip I wrote about yesterday, back in Color, with Grade Disabled. The clipping is gone. Unlike yesterday, now the waveform is contained entirely between zero and 100 IRE. You’ll see this as well in Final Cut and any applications that use Quicktime to decode the 5D movies, such as After Effects.
Yay! Problem solved, I guess. This is a scary thing for Apple not to document in an update though, because it will radically change the appearance any 5D clips you’re already working with. So update with caution, especially if you’re in the middle of a project.
I first read about this on the cinema5D.com, a new and already busy forum about making movies with the 5D Mark II. They have a good FAQ-like sticky post.
I was recently accused on Twitter of “liking and using” the 5D Mark II for shooting video, so I feel compelled to remind readers of my post-shoot review:
With 24p and manual exposure control this camera would be of use. Without those adjustments, it’s a tantalizing but ultimately frustrating curiosity to the DV Rebel. The best thing about it is what it portends for the very near future.
I have not yet bought a 5D Mark II. When I do it will be for stills, or because Canon has finally released a firmware update addressing my complaints.
Which I hope they do, now more than ever.