Dropped Frames

Pixel to pixel: Left, Canon 1D Mark II, right, Canon XH A1.

Today I arrived at the Johnston County courthouse to cover a murder trial. The media was escorted up to a room overlooking the courtroom. The view of the witness stand was a good 60-foot throw from behind tinted glass. A small speaker with an 1/4 inch headphone jack offered some seriously overcooked audio.

I was doing double duty, stills and video. One problem, I forgot to bring big glass…

Even with my 1D Mark II at 1000 ISO, my exposure was something like a 60th at 2.8 with my 70-200mm. I was under-lensed and underexposed by a mile and 4 stops.

It turns out the framegrabs from my XH A1 video camera gave my under-lensed still camera a run for its money. Above is a pixel to pixel comparison of the A1 and the Mark II (shooting RAW). Both images are lightly toned in CS3.

Of course my comparison isn’t very scientific. There are too may variables in this situation, but I think it proves that framegrabs are a viable option in a pinch. If nothing else, it proves that my still cameras are old.

On another note: The second of the two videos I posted today was a raw video clip. This was the first raw clip I’ve ever posted to newsobserver.com. I thought the testimony was compelling enough to stand on it’s own. Set me straight fast if I suddenly turn into Howard Owens.

WARNING: Content contains graphic descriptions of abuse. Jessy Paddock, 20, alleges severe abuse during a hearing on whether a jury in Lynn Paddock’s murder trial should be allowed to hear evidence relating to her character and crimes for which she is not facing trial. Lynn Paddock is charged with first-degree suffocation murder of her 4-year-old adopted son, Sean. (Staff video by Travis Long)