TM700: Desert Botanical Garden

[dan.carter]

I've been using the GH2 for a year or so, but a recent update making Final Cut Pro X compatible with Panasonic's 60P files, inspired me to dust off the TM700 for this project.

In summer, following a dry Winter, the low deserts of Arizona present very muted colors. This, and harsh sun can result in less than interesting images. This project is an attempt to use the "Picture Adjust" settings of the Panasonic HDC-TM700 to improve color, exposure and white balance for these conditions.

Panasonic HDC-TM700
Polarizer
Gitzo GT0531 tripod and G2180 fluid head

White Balance for sun
Picture Adjust settings
- Sharpness +1
- Color +3
- Exposure -3
- WB Adjust +1 to Red

[dan.carter]

Did you do any cg in FCP X ?

I have a tm900 but haven't used it in any serious way... been too busy. Is it easy to use the footage in FCP X ? I only have FCP 6.

How would you compare the GH2 to your tm700 ?

Only slight exposure correction on a few clips in FCP X.

Lion & Mountain Lion both allow FCP X to edit native 1080-60p from the TM700 & 900 cameras. If your Mac is old & slow, converting to ProRes via FCP X improves performance.

I converted to Mac FCP X from PC Vegas Pro and find FCP X a great tool. Highly recommended.

The TM700 is more convenient and produces very sharp video at 1080-60p. The GH2 is more configurable (variety of lenses), produces stunning color, and only slightly less sharp than the TM700.

[dan.carter]

Thanks, I don't know if I want to upgrade to FCP X or just get Aunsoft and go the Avid route.

Absolutely, I was more curious as to whether you would use your tm700 for narrative work instead of the GH2...don't know if you shoot narrative or prefer nature shoots etc.

I even had the crazy idea of buying a steadicam merlin for the tm900...

Though I don't have experience with narrative work, I would trust both. TM700 & 900 would provide better AF, GH2 (dependent on lens) better DOF.