Ideal HPX500 setup for indie film

T

Trapp

Member
Any info on an ideal setup for an indie film (see: low budget/low lighting) using the HPX500? This includes accessories like ideal lenses for a close to 35mm look, Firestore, monitors, lighting, mics, tripod, and any other necessary gear. What's too much/too little? If you rented would it come with the majority of needed gear minus p2 cards?

I've not seen a thread where a specific package has been mentioned, so if anyone could give me a good idea of the proper accessories needed to shoot a feature film with a close to film look using an HPX500 I would really appreciate it.

If this has already been discussed previously, please link the thread.
 
Looking around a little bit more, the HPX500 is not incredibly expensive UNTIL you add the necessary components. One guy mentioned $44k for his setup, and honestly that's more than I want to pay to shoot about 1 feature every 2 years...so rental is likely the way to go.

I am still interested in finding an ideal setup though, even if it's rental I'd like to know what's required for that film look.
 
There are several websites that are a wealth of knowledge that one person couldn't learn in a lifetime. DVXuser is one of them. There is so much info on this site that will answer mostly all, if not all of your questions. The HPX500 is perfectly fine to make a feature film, capturing the image is only part of an appealing film. How you capture (e.g. 24 fps), block, frame and most of all, light, is what sets it apart. Other than great acting, which is another vital ingredient for another topic.
 
How indie is indie? Take this with a grain of salt:

THE ULTRA INDIE:

HPX500 Body + battery
1 p2 card
old SD broadcastlens
shoot handheld

THE IDEAL INDIE

HPX500 Body
4 or more p2 cards
The new p2 gear with avc-intra through Sdi (for recording 10-bit fullraster 1080p)
an EC cinezoom or prime-set
Panasonic 8" and 17" monitors
A 6x6 mattebox and filters
Shoot handheld...for aesthetic
 
also included with Luxe Ideal Indie:
1st & 2nd AC, LD, gaffer, best boy, 4 grips, audio & A2, craft services and Security (to keep the Unwashed Masses from asking you, the DP, if you're hiring)
 
hunter richards said:
How indie is indie? Take this with a grain of salt:

THE ULTRA INDIE:

HPX500 Body + battery
1 p2 card
old SD broadcastlens
shoot handheld

THE IDEAL INDIE

HPX500 Body
4 or more p2 cards
The new p2 gear with avc-intra through Sdi (for recording 10-bit fullraster 1080p)
an EC cinezoom or prime-set
Panasonic 8" and 17" monitors
A 6x6 mattebox and filters
Shoot handheld...for aesthetic
Click to expand...

what is the new P2 gear with avc-intra through Sdi
 
thanks Hunter. I saw one of the clips you submitted with the elk, and it looked like the one Downtown. At any rate. Do you prefer to use the 500 for filming? Could you get a comparable 200 setup? Or is the 500 just that much better even with an SD lens, 1 battery and 1 p2 card?

Thanks.
 
Yep thats the elk at OHSU! Good eye!

For the comparison your asking, the footage would be pretty similar. The hpx500 will have abit more dynamic range, shallower dof (if needed), and a little less noise.

But thats only half of the equation!

I bought an hpx500 because its a great production tool. Its a shouldermount, that means I can shoot all day. Because its a full size HD camera, my clients (and crew/talent) are more impressed than they might be when shooting with a handheld. (that sounds fickle, but its true and at times, its worth it). I can make more money with a fullsize camera vs a handheld (higher day rates, ect.) I can use a real lens! with a real servo! Anything from a 90x box lens to a 3.6mm digiprime ultrawide.

Its about having the right tool for the job, working with the hpx500 is comfortable, flexable, and fast. That is more important to me than any image quality upgrade.

Does that answer your question?
 
Could you not get the shallower DOF with a 35mm adapter and good lens with the 200? Or is, the 500 just that much better?

I do believe that answered most of my questions. I'd like to have a chance to see the 500 in action, and while I'm completely new to filming, I still feel seeing what can be done with a camera in person would be the ideal move before buying...though it's very likely I'll still pick up the 200 and rent the 500 for a few weeks - you never know.
 
Seems to me that even with a tricked out 200 setup, you still won't get the dynamic range of the 500 nor the low light capabilities. Either way, the 500 will still be a cleaner image. Hunter is exactly correct in saying that basically "presentation is everything".

Lets say you have the choice of 2 companies standing side by side to shoot your commercial. One company has a few 200's and some gear, the other has a few 500's and the rest is the same gear. Which is going to look more impressive to you? I would think that most people would say the full size cameras.

You also have to think about this.... By the time you add all of the accessories to the 200 to make certain features "look" like the 500, you'll probably have spent more on that 200 than you would on the 500 and a SD lens, without having all of the capabilities. IMHO
 
Kit, that definitely makes sense. I understand from what I've read that from an actors standpoint they're like to see that bigger camera...and honestly I can see that a 200 might have that camcorder/unprofessional look in comparison (though still a great camera obviously). As for how the two images will look side-by-side, I'm unsure but hear nothing but great things about the 500.

Hunter. Hey thanks, that sounds pretty cool. Where would I find your office? I'll take a look and see if you have a site in your profile, then check that if you do - it's probably listed somewhere.

Again thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top