HVX with and without M2 Test Footage

B

Brian Petersen

Well-known member
I just got the HD M2 from Redrock and I’ve been doing some tests, especially inside because I’m trying to see how well I can get in low light. First off I LOVE this product and HIGHLY recommend it. You have to tinker to get the right settings, which is what I'm in the middle of, but in the end I'm going to be one happy clam.

These tests use three different lenses, and then I shot the same shot without the M2 with stock HVX lens. All of this footage has no color correction.

Some notes:
- I was shooting this myself so I would set focus and then run into the shot and then fake talking to people. As a result the focus may be slightly off (especially in the 28mm) but I think I got pretty close.

- The lighting was a simple Home Depot work light. Nothing fancy, and no backlight or fill to speak off. The lack of extra light really shows on the 28mm because there simply wasn’t enough light for the wide scene and the lower f-stop on the wide lens

- I realized color was really hard to tell. I shot the thing then went to FCP and the difference between how it looks on my laptop and on my External monitor was quite large. I have the Marshall 7” coming so I can’t wait to see accurate color.

- There is some added noise due to the compression, but the original is very clean. After shooting this I have NO reservations about noise in low light with the HVX.

- I am still trying to get the edges sharp and I’ve gotten pretty close, but not perfect, which is evident in the charts.

- Yes, that is a Brittney Spears pillowcase laying on the couch I used for focus help, and I’m holding a “That 70s show” DVD to look at depth of field

Here’s the link: (the first seconds are black. Forgot to put a title in there. Opps)

http://www.thinktankthemovie.com/HVX/hvx_and_m2_480.mov


Also here are some links to some frame grabs from charts I shot with the different lens. I don’t really know how to shoot charts so you can’t use it for true resolution. Also, I don’t know how to frame them up the same. For example, with the 28mm I couldn’t get the chart close enough to fill the frame and still be able to focus.

Best to RIGHT CLICK and SAVE these:

HVX:
http://www.thinktankthemovie.com/HVX/hvx_z75.tif

105mm:
http://www.thinktankthemovie.com/HVX/105mm.tif

50mm:
http://www.thinktankthemovie.com/HVX/50mm.tif

28mm:
http://www.thinktankthemovie.com/HVX/28mm.tif

Like I said I still see some edge softness and I'm trying to eliminate as much of it as I can with more testing. My setting are a 75 on the HVX zoom and a 17 on the focus.
 
Wow it's really night and day w/ the m2 - That was entertaining, haha you should have left your audio though, it looked like you were saying, 'no no no' a lot - I can't wait to get my m2, coming tomorrow! You're going to love the Marshall..
 
Hey Brian - yes, we had talked about your setup and fine-tuning it. I hope you will consider coming to the Sunday training.

Thanks

(Redrock) Brian
 
hey brian,

this is the best comparison I've seen. it's funny - you could grab an M2 frame and a "bare" HVX frame and point out all the ways in which the M2 shot is technically inferior: edge softness, some chromatic abberations, etc etc - but if you play it back, the M2 shot is gorgeous and achives the purpose of the shot (focus on a character) and the bare HVX looks, well, like a horrible front lit quickie news interview.

excellent tests.

I wish the ergonomics of the whole setup were better, but there's no getting around the awkwardness of putting a lens on a lens through a converter ;(

_a
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to really try to get to the Redrock thing on Sunday, because while I'm happy with what i'm getting now, I know I can get it working even better.

When it comes down to it, I think I'd by practically anything Redrock puts out. I have the M2 Adapter and the Follow Focus. I'll probably get the Mattebox when it becomes available, and the PowerPod sounds really exciting.
 
One Million Miles Away by J Ralph. It's from the VW commercial with the guy making a mad dash to stop a wedding. Great commercial and song.
 
Thanks for sharing Brian...that was very helpful.

For your last shot, was the HVX wide open? If so, that seems to suggest that using a 28mm lens is similar (in terms of fov) to the HVX wide open?
 
Brian,
This is really well-done. It shows what a tremendous difference shallow depth of field makes. I got my M2 a couple weeks ago, and the coolest thing to me is the ability to get shallow depth of field EVEN with a 24mm lens --- something you could never do with the HVX lens. The M2 really is the last step in getting that "film look" (however variously that might be defined).

BTW, you're fake talking was excellent!
 
I agree! It's amazing how much of an effect the M2 has on giving a cinematic feel to your production. Obviously it's not a magic box that replaces being able to light well, tell a good story, get good performances, etc. - but I think this is really helping to take a lot of the 1/3" footage to the "next level." Quite honestly, the film I just completed (the Faithful) was the first digital production I've done where I'd look at playback on the monitors on set and say, "wow... we're making something that looks like it compares with stuff we've shot on film!" What I don't understand is if this technology is so cheap, why we can't get 1/3" cameras with 35mm lens mounts that just do this from the beginning. I mean, just look at the comparisons Brian shot - I know you won't find me shooting anything narrative n the HVX again without the M2! :)

Oh, and Brian (darwinandpaine) - I know I blast people for not taking the effort to write "you're" out, but sometimes all you really do need is a simple "your." :laugh: Gotcha!
 
Haakon said:
I agree! It's amazing how much of an effect the M2 has on giving a cinematic feel to your production. Obviously it's not a magic box that replaces being able to light well, tell a good story, get good performances, etc. - but I think this is really helping to take a lot of the 1/3" footage to the "next level." Quite honestly, the film I just completed (the Faithful) was the first digital production I've done where I'd look at playback on the monitors on set and say, "wow... we're making something that looks like it compares with stuff we've shot on film!" What I don't understand is if this technology is so cheap, why we can't get 1/3" cameras with 35mm lens mounts that just do this from the beginning. I mean, just look at the comparisons Brian shot - I know you won't find me shooting anything narrative n the HVX again without the M2! :)

Oh, and Brian (darwinandpaine) - I know I blast people for not taking the effort to write "you're" out, but sometimes all you really do need is a simple "your." :laugh: Gotcha!
Click to expand...

I thought the new JVC generation of cameras are coming equipped with that ability? To adapt pro 16mm lenses off the shelf? Forgive me for any misinformation here.

It'll happen, soon enough, though. With all the 35mm adapters being produced, someone's bound to notice up there.

m2 for president.
 
JesterJJZ said:
What's the current wait time for an M2? Dare I ask.
Click to expand...
Took me a little over 6 weeks. It's a lonnng wait (especially since they take your money at the beginning). At first you chalk it up to them being an indie company and doing everything by hand, but around week 4 or 5 you really start to go insane. All I can say is that despite the ridiculous order time (I thought by now they were supposed to have all of the parts on-hand - and it's really not THAT complicated of a device!), the wait is worth it. Just look at the amazing results people are getting!

Just don't schedule a shoot for 7 weeks from today or you'll be sweating bullets (and giving yourself an ulcer!) like I did!!
 
Haakon said:
it's really not THAT complicated of a device!),
Click to expand...

yeah, I was wondering. Is there any difference from the pro and DIY version, construction wise? Is there any other glass element between the lens and the GG that isn't mentioned in the DIY guide?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top