News: Commercials Utilize Canon's Powerful Video Mode on the 5D Mark II Camera

Commercials Utilize Canon's Powerful Video Mode on the 5D Mark II Camera

It's no secret that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is being used in low-budget indie films, as well as big blockbuster movies from Hollywood. But it's also become a staple for television commercials.

Geoff Fox has been a weather forecaster for over 28 years in Connecticut and can be seen nightly on WTIC-TV (FoxCT). A couple months ago he posted a behind-the-scenes video of a promo he was in for FoxCT, but quickly took it down because he was told that he was "revealing company secrets".

Company secrets? It's a secret that they used a Canon 5D Mark II for their promos?

Commercials Utilize Canon's Powerful Video Mode on the 5D Mark II Camera

That's beside the point. Though only a half-minute long, the video gives some great insight into the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into making a decent commercial with the 5D Mark II.

Behind the scenes of the FoxCT "More" spot.

In Fox's video, Bill Murphy slides the Canon EOS 5D Mark II down the camera rail system while he films newscaster Brent Hardin in front of a green screen. But what's the coolest part? Murphy's homemade dual laser pointing system that's sitting atop his DSLR, which is needed to match the live action chromakeyed footage with the HDR (high dynamic range) time lapse video in the field.

When the video was all shot, After Effects was used by Chad Sherman to put everything together. Check out the finished product below.

FoxCT "More" spot.

But this is just the beginning of adverts made with the Canon 5D Mark II. Below are some more commercials for inspiration, real ones and school projects.

(1) Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Blind Spot Assist. Shot in old horror movie style, by DP Harvey Glen. (2) Another one by Harvey Glen, this time for Gulf Air, featuring time lapse and real time footage. (3) Behind the scenes footage and commercial for NOS Energy Drink, directed by Steve Chase, starring 2009 FormulaD Champion Chris Forsberg. (4) Commercial for Vilniaus Pergalė chocolate by photographer Tomas Kauneckas. (5) One of the worst examples of what the 5D Mark II is capable of in commercials. It's an ad spot for Advanced Pain Management with Dr. Nick Connors. (6) A demo commerical for Mustang, which perhaps went a little crazy with the computer effects, because it masks everything the Mark II shot.

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1 Comment

I got a DSLR recently myself to replace my old camcorder, and I've gotta say, it is AMAZING! It's no surprise they're slowly making a rise in the industry!

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