Scene File template sought

B

BrettHickman

Member
So I've been playing non-stop with my dvx100b and all its setting trying to get different looks and such. I was hoping that I could get someone online hear to provide a template for a desired look that I could program into my cam and tinker with to get the exact look I was going for.

here's what I want:

A Bright, Clean, Clear, sharp, crisp broadcast look to interview a couple on screen and be show later. Currently I have setting that are somewhat pulling off the task, but I wanted to see if I could get suggestions on achieving "Clean, Bright and sharp".. Think soap opera..

Thanks in advance!
Brett
 
First of all set up some lights, diffusion, bounce boards etc. You may or may not need a filter on the lens (there are many to choose from). Adding a 35mm lens adapter would provide you with a crisp, sharper image over the stock lens on the camera. As for the settings, its really personal preference. You should set up your lights like you want them then run a cable from the camera to a monitor and make the adjustments as you see fit based on how you have the scene/set lit. I can give you settings, heck we all can but I think you need to play around with your settings so you know the look you want. I am planning on doing this tomorrow as I want to work on a new look. Also don't forget about COLOR CORRECTION can also help achieve a new look too. Are your plans to shoot 24p or 60i?
 
Thanks 100Shooter. I plan to shoot in 24 p. Currently I have it hooked up to a monitor and am previewing it at 24pa. it's weired. Though I said sharp, I like the look of the shot at detail -6, and gama at cinemaD. I guess it's really all in the lighting huh? Also, shooting in squeeze mode--> will I get a lesser quality image than if I just shoot 4x3? Does shooting in squeeze mode limit the amount of CCD the camera is using as compared to 4x3? If so, Id rather just shoot 4x3. Thanks for your help!
 
Ummm... The adapter will not sharpen your image. It will soften the image. I personally love the adapter look but some people think the DOF is way too shallow.

If you like the look of a -6 detail then go with it. It's whatever looks good to you. But sharper and crisp means raising your levels up for sure. Especially if you're looking for that soap opera look. Experiment and see what you like.

Jgastelb
 
My understanding is that the camera doesn't actively reduce sharpness when then detail settings are in the negative range, i.e. -7 is the basic image produced by the camera without any sharpening applied. So -6 would have a tiny bit of sharpening applied to it, even though it's a negative number.

IIRC i think i read that in one of Barry's posts.
 
anchoryanker said:
My understanding is that the camera doesn't actively reduce sharpness when then detail settings are in the negative range, i.e. -7 is the basic image produced by the camera without any sharpening applied. So -6 would have a tiny bit of sharpening applied to it, even though it's a negative number.

IIRC i think i read that in one of Barry's posts.
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Great Thank you.. Good to know.

Also though: will I get a higher quality picture at 4:3 then 16:9 squeezed? Isn't there more chip being used in 4:3?

Thanks
 
anchoryanker said:
My understanding is that the camera doesn't actively reduce sharpness when then detail settings are in the negative range, i.e. -7 is the basic image produced by the camera without any sharpening applied. So -6 would have a tiny bit of sharpening applied to it, even though it's a negative number.

IIRC i think i read that in one of Barry's posts.
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You learn something every day. Thanks for posting this.
Jgastelb
 
I just PM'ed Barry to confirm if that is correct, I don't like to give out bad info. I'll let ya'll know what he says.

As for the 16:9 squeezed vs. 4:3(I assume you mean 4:3 letterbox), yes you'll get more quality with 4:3 as the sqeezed mode digitally stretches the image, which causes a slight loss in quality. According to Barry's book, squeeze mode has about 350 lines of vertical resolution versus 4:3 letterbox with about 380.

ETA: here's part of what Barry PM'ed,

So yes, there is no active blurring going on, it's just removing all edge enhancement. But edge enhancement is there for a reason -- it typically makes the image look "better" (within reason; obviously too much edge enhancement looks really artificial)
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Yep. -7 is basically turning artifical sharpening off. You'll find that your image has a shallow apparent depth of field (sharpening is not making out of focus areas look like they are in focus) and is less noisy (sharpening is not accentuating noise). You really have to watch focus, though, because with sharpening down, the depth of focus is really thin.

You've got to try Squeeze mode in conjunction with your other settings and see if it works for you. The first time I used Squeeze (with default scene file settings), I thought it looked pretty nasty. However, with scene file adjusted more to my liking, Squeeze mode has been looking better and better to me.
 
Thanks for confirming that Josh. As for getting 16:9 I have gotten pretty good results with the anamorphic adapter. Yes, it's a little more of a work load both in production and in post, but one you get it down I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. I do think it's better on a controlled set enviroment, as it's probably a little too finicky and fragile for a 'run and gun' type of production.
 
DVX100Shooter said:
Hey Brett did you check this out already? Somebody posted this in another thread on here: There's a slew of settings but like we all said you have to play around with them to see what YOU like the best.

http://forums.skateperception.com/index.php?showtopic=81758
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Right on.. Thanks DVX Shooter.. That's a great resource.. For the past few days I have been experimenting with all the settings and kind of establishing my own scene files as I see fit.. But I think Ill try a few of these out!

Thanks!
Brett
 
Ditto!
Thanks for posting that link. Seeing those settings and the pictures posted along with them is really helpful.
Quite some time ago I read that Evinsky was working on a "look book" for scene file settings. PM'd but no response so I would imagine that life & work dictate otherwise.
Jarreds article on understanding master pedastal alone was incredibly helpful. So if someone ever produces a book of scene file settings along with pictured examples????, ......that baby would sell pretty fast.
 
For soap opera look, I would suggest lots and lots of soft light. 60i would probably help too, as previously mentioned...
 
DVX100Shooter said:
First of all set up some lights, diffusion, bounce boards etc. You may or may not need a filter on the lens (there are many to choose from). Adding a 35mm lens adapter would provide you with a crisp, sharper image over the stock lens on the camera. As for the settings, its really personal preference.
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actually, this is quite the contrary. Adding a 35mm adapter introduces alot of things, shorter depth of field, diefferent field of view, light loss, but will not sharpen your footage compared to the stock lens,

The whole point of having a35mm adapter lens is to get that "Soft" film look that is saught after by many video enthusiasts. So if you are going for a soft look, yes use an adapter, otherwise, you will get a much more video/sharp look with the stock leica lens.

However, the softer image of an adapter can help with hte diffusion of your lighting, i.e. giving it a slightly more airbrushed look. But again, the opposite to a sharper image.

I would suggest 30p over 60i, as you do not want to get artifacting wit hthe horizontal lines from interlacing. because honestly, a progressive look always beats interlaced i.m.h.o.

Do some research and find out how soap operas are filmed, or is this the reason why you posted here? :)
 
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