A Newbie Guide to Filming w/ HD100

C

Carcaridon

Well-known member
Hey-LO all.
I just wanted to drop a note in here on newbie stuff with the HD100. Now I sure am hoping that there are other newbies out there that have jumped into indie movie making, or (insert desire here) making, that have never touched a camera like this, but are desperately trying to learn and any help will be greatly desired. So here it is. This may seem like easy stuff to most, but for me, when I'm in over my head, for some reason I can't think logically anymore. :)

1. Auto white balance is your friend.
I had some really good looking footage, with the exception that it was all blue. :)

2. Learn to focus.
This may seem like normal thought, but if you don't have an HD monitor on set, it's something that you really need to spend the extra time getting perfect.

3. Learn how to render your file correctly, and to render for the medium intended.
This again may seem normal, but when you're not thinking logically, you tend to wonder stuff like "Why isn't my HDV render looking good on a DVD?"

4. If you can afford to buy an HD monitor for editing, DO IT!!
It will save you burning multiple DVD's and tons of rendering time. That's my plan if I can get a good deal on one and can figure out how to setup 3 monitors on the editing PC.

That's all for now. Hopefully I can save someone the funny headaches I've had today. And if not, might be a funny read for some. :)
 
Carcaridon said:
2. Learn to focus.
This may seem like normal thought, but if you don't have an HD monitor on set, it's something that you really need to spend the extra time getting perfect.
Click to expand...


The trick withthe HD100 is to learn how to adjust your peaking for the VF ( a real plus ) and of course to also use Focus Assist when in doubt....another really great addition.
 
jimagine said:
The trick withthe HD100 is to learn how to adjust your peaking for the VF ( a real plus ) and of course to also use Focus Assist when in doubt....another really great addition.
Click to expand...

I haven't quite figured out the focus assist yet. I'm working on it. My real shoots will have a DP that can work with this camera. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from that person.
 
I keep peaking at max. Only problem is it makes your image look very noisy while you are shooting it.
 
Carcaridon said:
I haven't quite figured out the focus assist yet. I'm working on it. My real shoots will have a DP that can work with this camera. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from that person.
Click to expand...

Couldn't be simpler Heath. Just push the Focus Assist button and you'll be in focus when the highlights/outlines of the image glow red (or blue or whatever color you choose for them in your menu). Not every shot will show color...you need some edge and contrast but even if there's none in a face close-up for instance, you'll see the eyelashes go red or the pupil. It's something you should use immediately because it's the easiest way to check focus in HD
 
mmm said:
I keep peaking at max. Only problem is it makes your image look very noisy while you are shooting it.
Click to expand...


That's what I mean by learning to work with it. If peaking is maxed out then it's really difficult to work with. Setting it so that edges get a glow as they come into focus is the way to work with peaking. Our cameras are set to around 11:00 on average and that gives a good image to shoot by and an easy way to judge focus.
 
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