Video 1st light for my 5D-II - a run around the block

[Omaroo]

I'm constructing a website for one of my vehicles I'm restoring, a very old and ultra-rare 1980 Saab 900 Enduro, one of 12 built and 5 left worldwide. These were an aggressive "1980's" product, and like the Audi Quattro and Peugeot 205 GTi of the same era has massive boxed wheel arches, big-ish rubber and tons of go. They were the first commercial turbo passenger vehicle to incorporate water injection upstream of the turbo to combat pre-ignition temperatures at full boost - 1.2bar or 17psi.

I decided to try out the 5D-II's HD video capabilities to see how easy it would be to gather some in-cabin footage. Focus is still a concern as it's difficult to adjust whilst moving, so a second person in the back would be advantageous to have present.

Easy :) Superb camera when mounted on a GorillaPod (http://joby.com/gorillapod) clinging to the headrest of a seat. Great thing about using the 5D-II for video is that the standard 24-105's wide angle is perfect to get the whole dash in. My usual dedicated 1080HD video camera's FOV is far too narrow, and only gets about half the field at the same distance. The 5:58 minute movie took 1.94Gb to store in-camera at 1080p and 25fps.

Before anyone tells me off for doing 70 in a 60 zone, the speedometer is stoofed - and reads high. Truly! :( The final 30 secs shows the entire car fro those interested.

Click here to see the video (5 mins) (http://www.saab900enduro.com/page13/)

[joe_smith]

Very nice mate its got a good sound to it. You should come along to one of our runs, or bring her out to Harry's one Saturday night. The last sat night of the month is the best a lot of clubs get out there :)

[Omaroo]

Cheers Joe :)

Harry's? As in "wheels" and "café"? :question:

[joe_smith]

yep that's the one, near Liverpool. we are heading out there this Saturday if the weather is ok :)

[Octane]

Ooh, look forward to seeing this, Chris.

I've got tonnes more footage of NZ to upload yet. :)

H

[Omaroo]

Cheers Joe - may turn up, but will more likely be in Cantberra on Saturday.

Humayun - I'm liking the 5D Mk-II for video - all except for one thing, and that's that the in-built microphone picks up the rattly noises made by the USM mechanism. A remote mike is a must.

[spearo]

cool
thanks for the ride!
nice mags too
frank

[Omaroo]

Cheers Frank

The mags were standard factory fitment for the Enduro - Aussie Simmons V4 3-piece composites - straight off the track. My favourite wheels ever. The offset was radical too - rear track was a full 9 inches wider than the standard cars and the front was 4 inches wider. Turn-in is somewhat...snappy :)

[h0ughy]

your pinged you speeder ;) LOL

complete with all the squeaks and rattles

[bartman]

Nice Vid Chris,
I have always liked the SAAB.
I just had to pop out to the shops after I saw your vid and sure enough, a SAAB 900 pulled up beside me! Not as nice as yours though:).
Cheers
Oh and nice work with the new camera.
Bartman

[Omaroo]

You wouldn't believe it David - ALL the squeaks were fixed wth one squirt of WD40 this afternoon :) I think that the camera position makes the footage look fast, in reality I was rarely out of early third gear before I backed off...

[Omaroo]

Cheers Bart :) Always a Saab lover here...

[Chillie]

Is that a chip in the windscreen about half way between the centre and the left hand side?

What model GorillaPod? I have the Focus for my Canon 450D.

[Omaroo]

1) Yes :( time for Mr. O'Brien to come out to my place...

2) DSLR-Zoom, which goes back tomorrow to be swapped for a Focus (3kg vs. 5kg capacity). The 5D Mark II is too heavy for it.

[Omaroo]

Swapped the plastic GorillaPod "DSLR-Zoom" (3kg) for the aluminium "Focus" (5kg) model. MUCH better.... solid as a rock with the 5D and a big lens. The articulated joints are superbly machined and it smacks of quality. :thumbsup:

Not me of course, but as you can see, it's a rather substantial system:

[RickS]

Pretty funky looking car, Chris. I had a 900 for about ten years. It certainly had some personality about it...