C-300 aerial shoot

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Ericjurg

Active member
I have an upcoming helicopter shoot where I plan on renting a C300. We are using a Tyler nose mount. Despite my desire to preserve highlight detail as much as possible, I’m wondering if I should use C-log. One problem is setting correct exposure. We will be using a Pix-240 for recording (in order to control start/stop from the cockpit). We will also have a Panasonic BH-LH900P 8” monitor. But we won’t be using the C300 viewfinder/LCD screen for monitoring, so we won’t be able to use the view assist feature, which is designed to monitor C-log with an approximation of the final graded image.

Typically (for aerials) I gauge my exposure by watching the highlights, and adjusting for an acceptable amount of clipping. I’m not sure how this technique will work with C-log.

Also, I’m wondering how much of a difference C-log will make in the final graded product. Typically there are exposure issues with clouds and white buildings in bright sunlight that with previous video cameras had to be blown out to get the overall exposure to an acceptable level. It would be great to preserve some of that detail, but these highlights are substantially hotter than the surroundings. I’m wondering how much of a benefit C-log will bring in this situation.

If I don’t use C-log, I’m thinking the Cine 1 setting will give me a more “filmic” image than the normal 1-4 settings. Cine 2 looks a bit soft. Does this sound right?

Also, I’m thinking that the frame rate should be 30P to minimize judder. I’ve shot a lot of film on aerials at 24 fps, and it looks fine, but I’ve had less luck shooting progressive with video cameras (judder issues), and have shot interlaced in the past. Any recommendations?
 
I have shot quite some snow this winter in C-Log and just like clouds sometimes it was blown out on over cams (DSLRs, EX1). C-Log helped to avoid that and don´t worry about being underexposed. Just make sure the highlights aren´t clipping and it will be good for grading.

Cine-1 does look filmic, but you lose some advantages of C-Log.
 
In my experience, the "view assist" hinders more than helps. It really gives you no idea whats happening with the actual image recorded, because it looks like the highlights could be clipping, but they probably not. Clog is the best u can use for your situation, and then on your ext monitor if you have zebras set it to 95%, just make sure you set you exposure to just under the zebra. First black balance (menu/ first tab/ ABB, attached body cap first) then white balance and you good to go.

The studder look is preference. All films are 24/25P, there is judder on pans and side tracking, thats just the nature of motion photography. It's smoother at 30P, or 50P/60P/50i/60i but that just looks like video/documentary/sports, but its your preference. Maybe use ND's to stop down and use slower shutter like 50th (PAL) or 60th (NTSC)
 
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