Field Monitor, Tripod, & Film output res. ?'s

Nick Walters

Nick Walters

Mentholated Member
I've tried to read through the forums as heavily as possible before I even registered, but I'm sure I've missed a few things...so please forgive me if I try to cover questions allready answered.

I just got an HVX-200, and suppose I'll cover my questions in order of the topic.

Could I get by with monitoring my footage via Onlocation? Here's the big question : Is Onlocation the only windows solution for monitoring footage. Here is the HUGE question though : If I want to monitor my footage at 1080 is the only solution via a Mac system? I can't get Onlocation to work at 1080, and see that on Adobe's site it mentions working at a max of 720. I can knock the output resolution to 720 for 1394, but I'd rather have the extra resolution for even better focus tuning. Also, Is this solution as good as an external monitor, or better(aside from portability)...can I get as good of an idea as possible from an external, or the computer option? One big problem I see is that all options at $3k and under for external monitor max out at 800x480.....while on a computer I can get pixel for pixel(except for some monitors with zoom functions)....it's all so confusing, lol.

I'm looking to get a tripod for it, as well as my Arriflex 16BL EQ(20 pounds with a 400ft mag that has 400ft of film in it). I was hoping to spend in the area of $1000-1500. I found this :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...anfrotto__BO351MVB519_351MVB_Tripod_Legs.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...rotto_350SPRB_350SPRB_Mid_Level_Spreader.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241204-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_565_565_Rubber_Shoes_Set.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...anfrotto_MBAG90P_MBAG90P_35_4_Tripod_Bag.html
It's a 351MVB/519 combo, a mid level spreader, rubber feet, and a case....all in all it comes in at about $1400, and I'm wondering if any one either has experience putting a 16mm cam on a combo similar to this, or had advice for something of this sort.

Last but certainly not least I'm wondering about output to film(from 1080 setting on the HVX{1280x1080}). I've read a number of threads, websites, books on framing....but it seems, as far as I've read, that no one has pinned down the exact resolutions needed for output to 35mm film from the HVX. I know that alot of films are formatting for 2.35:1 with special lenses, but I think that option is out for me as I'd have to either get the extra lens, or crop like a mad man.....Then I know that I could crop 11 lines on each side and 200 lines on the top and bottom to reach an industry standard of 1.85:1(1258x680)....heres where my confusion starts. I've allready decided to shoot for 1.85:1, but I'm unsure if I should be trying to crop the footage myself to acheive this, or if I should try to just frame at that res. and crop the footage to 1280x934....which is 35mm's actual resolution(1.37:1).

Wow....I think I've got a headache after typing that last bit out....any and all thanks are much appreciated

- Nick Walters

P.S. My sources are wikipedia for 35mm's aspect ratio, American Cinematographer Manual for theatrical release aspect ratios, and my own math for any extrapolations thereof.
 
TRIPOD QUESTION: I do not have experience with the Arriflex 16BL, but would not recommend a tripod by Bogen. I was looking in a similar range and thinking Cartoni Focus. Instead I made the jump to the Sachtler DV6SB and Miller legs. Never looked back, in fact, I probably would regret if I went any other way.

Incidentally, I had a similar thought process with wireless lav upgrade - was going to go cheap like a Sennheiser G2, but ended with Lectrosonics. Again - buying the second piece of equipment first has been the best option.


Jason
 
If you don't mind me asking, which set of miller sticks did you go with...although it all seems a bit out of my price range. I have a old zenith tripod I'm using now with a pair of vise grips on one part....suffice it to say I need a new tripod, lol. When I say I can't spend over $1500 I'm quite serious. If I spend any more I'll need to start washing dishes til my next gig....which just isn't an option lol.....should I just stick with my crappy tripod til' I can get something in the $2k+ range ?

AwakenedFilms said:
TRIPOD QUESTION: I do not have experience with the Arriflex 16BL, but would not recommend a tripod by Bogen. I was looking in a similar range and thinking Cartoni Focus. Instead I made the jump to the Sachtler DV6SB and Miller legs. Never looked back, in fact, I probably would regret if I went any other way.

Incidentally, I had a similar thought process with wireless lav upgrade - was going to go cheap like a Sennheiser G2, but ended with Lectrosonics. Again - buying the second piece of equipment first has been the best option.


Jason
Click to expand...
 
You are a lot confused about Aspect Ratios but..

16:9 is very close to 1.1.85.
Shoot 16:9 (native to your HVX) andy you should be fine.

Are doing an actual Out Put to 35mm film? If so talk to the Lab.
 
In what way am I confused? I could really use some help on this, as I'd like to plan out my safe areas. 1.37:1 is 35mm I know that, and 1.85:1 is what 35mm is cropped to for actually showing to an audience. Should I develope a 35mm safe and a theatrical release safe area within that? Or am I totally confused about the possible resolution and aspect of a theatres array of lenses?

or should I just not even bother worrying ya'll with this? I don't want to bog down the forum with unnecessary technicals.
Shooter said:
You are a lot confused about Aspect Ratios but..

16:9 is very close to 1.1.85.
Shoot 16:9 (native to your HVX) andy you should be fine.

Are doing an actual Out Put to 35mm film? If so talk to the Lab.
Click to expand...
 
Talk to your film lab

Once you know what they need from you then you will know what to give them
If you want to do any playing around with framerates then you will be shooting 720 24pN.

No matter if you are shooting 1080 or 720 you are going to lose resolution because you are going to have to crop out part of your frames top and bottom to match your 35mm films aspect ratio.

this reference might help understand visually:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image)
 
I guess one thing I forgot to mention is I'd be trying to get true 720P at 24P ie 1280x720, and the only way to get this on the HVX is to shoot in it's 1080 24Pa mode(1280x1080), pull out the bunk pieces to make it 24P, then crop to get a 1280x720 film. Even after that there is a small amount of loss for 35mm printing. I'll be sure to contact a lab about the details, and I'll post what they say here. I haven't actually selected a lab yet, but I've looked at a few and was thinking of making a 5 minute short using dvfilm.com Anyone had experience with these guys, or have a suggestion for a lab?
 
Hi NIck,
I do alot of low-angle shooting and out door docu stuff. Went with Miller solo DV legs - light fairly strong, no spreader to deal with. Can put the lens as short as 8" off the ground and as high as 78" (including fluid head height). It looks a little bit amaturish on an ENG type of shoot or a feature and is not a solid as I would like it to be, but for what I use it for - very good.

It is my opinion that you wait. I am sure you will love the bogen as compared to your current setup, but will probably wish you waited once the novelty wears off (i am not even sure if the 519 is a true fluid head). Rent a really good head on your next project. Assess whether or not it helps you with your work. Do another couple of gigs and let the work buy you the better gear. Better gear does not make you shoot better, but it can help make your shoot easier and maybe even keep your footage from looking worse as a result of system failures.

If you are just shooting as a hobbiest and cannot afford to put money into the hobby, I completely understand. For me, if I screw up one serious shooting day there can be serious consequences. I would rather re-invest into business money back into the business in order to get the right equipment and be able to nail those 'money shots'.


Jason
 
I'm sure you're right, so I'm going to wait til I can get something that exceeds my needs a little more.

Yes, at this point this is hobbiest territory. I've done an internship with a documentarian, doing second AC work(although the project is in limbo so I'm waiting for imdb credit), volunteered as a grip on a film(which got me an imdb credit)..... been a free DP on a hand full of skit/promotionals and one feature...although that last stuff is all low grade horror movie stuff so I get credited under a different name.

I'm hoping to make a short film mixing 16mm and footage from the HVX, and do a little bit of festivals and contests with it.....and use the film and any awards to show to prospective clients.

AwakenedFilms said:
Hi NIck,
I do alot of low-angle shooting and out door docu stuff. Went with Miller solo DV legs - light fairly strong, no spreader to deal with. Can put the lens as short as 8" off the ground and as high as 78" (including fluid head height). It looks a little bit amaturish on an ENG type of shoot or a feature and is not a solid as I would like it to be, but for what I use it for - very good.

It is my opinion that you wait. I am sure you will love the bogen as compared to your current setup, but will probably wish you waited once the novelty wears off (i am not even sure if the 519 is a true fluid head). Rent a really good head on your next project. Assess whether or not it helps you with your work. Do another couple of gigs and let the work buy you the better gear. Better gear does not make you shoot better, but it can help make your shoot easier and maybe even keep your footage from looking worse as a result of system failures.

If you are just shooting as a hobbiest and cannot afford to put money into the hobby, I completely understand. For me, if I screw up one serious shooting day there can be serious consequences. I would rather re-invest into business money back into the business in order to get the right equipment and be able to nail those 'money shots'.


Jason
Click to expand...
 
Well I think I'm going with a Dell Precision M60 for my field monitor :
http://workstations.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=20132-1
It's a little outdated, but has a screen resolution of 1920x1200, and comes in a a whopping $400 with shipping off E-bay. I figure at that resolution with Onlocation I should be able to have a 720 field monitor, video analyzer, waveform monitor, and vectorscope all fit in at the same time.....any opinions?

Edit : It's also old enough to still have a PCMCIA, albeit only one.....so it'd be possible to use it as a light editor or to view footage. I'll actually be using my OLD Latitude C610 along with some external drives for dumping cards(unless I find a better solution then my old crusty laptop).
 
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