I have been doing a lot of reading and watching lately, had some concrete ideas that have disintegrated into sand and reform, only to do it again, but within all that, I have noticed some things that, when I chose to listen, have managed to enlighten me.
1)
The images I see that I like have little to do with codec, camera, or lens. They are generally contrasty, sharp and realistic, something that was the norm prior to the current regime.
2)
Cameras and lenses can look different to each other, which makes us question what we have, try more and buy more, but they can also, more often than not look the same. Most reviews “normalise” to the point where we are only looking at the most basic level of their output. Yes brand or camera “X” is slightly sharper looking than “Y”, but in the hands of a decent colourist, “Y” may end up looking better or at least the same. There are too many variables to know from a simple test.
3)
You need to chase what you want and when you do, when you know what you are actually trying to achieve, gear and process concerns fall away.
4)
Listing to that little voice that says “I am seeing a lot of this, maybe time to shift direction” or “I am sick of that flat, washed out, overly soft look, so maybe everyone else is?” and change your processes until you like what you do.
This is a super sharp image taken with a video lens on a video capable camera. Why cant modern video look snappy and life like?
5)
Read and research less, look and learn more. The grass is not always greener nor the sky bluer elsewhere and even if it is, is greener always better?
Basically, fight back, change perceptions evolve and drag the rest of us with you, don’t let analysis paralysis stop you, don’t be a follower.
On a practical level, where this post started but quickly got de-railed, I am noticing that often V-Log footage looks as good as RAW, sometimes even a rec.709 codec can. My desire to expand my B-Raw capabilities has been reduced after some close calls, now looking at V-Log as my norm, B-Raw as my “safety net” and personal indulgence.
My recent lesn purchase has helped me put some things into perspective. Yes the Vespid 40mm is the best video lens I own, no doubt, but my cheaper or less specialised glass is also pretty close.
The S-Primes, Hope series and others can produce, I just need to get better at it. More RAW capable cameras for 3-4 cam interviews would be overkill as in those controlled situations, even Standard mode would be enough.
Time to produce, not prepare. Time to practice what I just preached.