Crop to aspect ratios 1.85:1 or 2.40:1 while shooting?

I was wondering if anyone is cropping their footage to different aspect ratios? I know this can be done in post but what I'm trying to figure out is the best way to pre-visualize this while shooting. I've considered trying to place tape on my LCD, but then obviously I would loose the ability to see the settings. I wish the grid at least was setup to different aspects.

This is something I would love to see in a firmware update if we ever get one. I don't mind loosing some resolution by crop bars being added to my footage to obtain the proper aspect I would like to shoot in. I would also like to see the already placed crop bars have the option to go totally black instead of 50% transparent because when I'm thinking about 100 things at once while shooting sometimes I forget what I'm seeing on the screen, especially in bright sunlight, is being cropped because you can see through the crop bars.

To shoot 2:35 to 1 I just ended up making a mask for the LCD out of black paper... works great, and you without the semi-transparent areas you can really focus on 'scope framing...

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the idea. I was heading in this direction. I'm thinking I might try and put a line on a static guard sheet so that I don't have to keep putting a mask on and off.

I was wondering if anyone is cropping their footage to different aspect ratios? I know this can be done in post but what I'm trying to figure out is the best way to pre-visualize this while shooting. I've considered trying to place tape on my LCD, but then obviously I would loose the ability to see the settings. I wish the grid at least was setup to different aspects.

Me, too. I've found that occasionally I will frame scenes prior to hitting record and find that I had misjudged the top and bottom borders.

This is something I would love to see in a firmware update if we ever get one.

It was easy enough, so I've added full-time 16:9 crop marks in my newest build of the 5D Mark Free software. I'll have a newer video later tonight that shows them in place, along with flicker-free audio meters.

Once I figure out how to create menus, I can see adding a selection of different crops and overlays, including 4:3 and title safe.

It was easy enough, so I've added full-time 16:9 crop marks in my newest build of the 5D Mark Free software. I'll have a newer video later tonight that shows them in place, along with flicker-free audio meters.

Once I figure out how to create menus, I can see adding a selection of different crops and overlays, including 4:3 and title safe.

Brilliant !

A little off-topic, but I've been shooting in HD for delivery in SD for the web, and cropping from a 28mm wide to a tigher shot for some variety in interviews. Works brilliantly if your delivery format is small and you can't redo a shot (ie a one time interview).

I've been taping a matte over the screen when shooting for 'scope, but would certainly appreciate a built-in one, if Hudson is willing to oblige.

Thanks!

Yeah, it'd be great to have full black outs in 2:35 to 1.... very handy.