Cambook charts for the Af100?

mcgeedigital said:
Those are good for photo, not so much for video.

The DSC charts ae specifically calibrated and laid out to conform the colors to the color vectors on a vectorscope in 2x mode.
Click to expand...

I tend to use grey scales and grey cards more than Color Charts.

I can set up color entirely from only the grey card with the vector scope in fact.

I do use Color Charts eg Macbeth, Fuji and Kodak ...but they are more for the "eye-ometer"

I would love a set of the DSC Charts myself but can do without and spend that kind of money elsewhere. ( one day maybe)
 
I would recommend the Frontbox series chart for AF-100 users that don't want to blow their brains out on a color chart. The list price for a 12+4 Frontbox series chart is $400. I know a couple of months ago FilmTools was selling them at a much lower price. The Cambooks are very good as well.

I have a the RED Camalign book. It retails for $500 and it has 24 colours plus 4 fleshtones and a few out of regular video gamut colors that are specifically for RED cameras. I got it as it has the full 24 + 4 colors with the greyscale chart. I don't use a RED and the out of gamut colors are not an issue for non RED use. You just ignore the colors on the vectorscope as they are plainly evidient.

http://www.filmtools.com/dsclabs.html

A few things to keep in mind. You can get a small chart but you have to remember that when you do, you have to get right up to it, in order to get a full frame shot of the chart. Sometimes this is impractical in the heat of the shoot when you aren't at liberty to manoeuvre around before things start. You want to get a chart with both greyscale and color swatches combined in the chart. Having them separate will end up being impractical in a lot of situations.

The amount of time it saves in post is remarkable and it gives you a level of confidence when yanking on the color. Once you do a shoot with one you will never want to go without.
 
Last edited:
I just had a quick look at the DSC chart that was recommended above. A couple of things to keep in mind. One, the greyscale only has 5 levels. Second it is quite small. Third, it doesn't have fleshtones. Both the lack of fleshtone charting and the reduced number of greyscale steps is a significant compromise in this chart.
 
Can you elaborate on those charts? for what purpose they're made?
I always had a feeling that its made only for programming the camera, is that true?
Is there beyond that?
When do you usually use them?
 
Didnt actually rate the DSC promo video too much in regard to an AF100 or post production.

Its not actually possible to set up an AF100 to the chart. Studio cameras yes of course.

The video did not fully explain to a novice how one would shoot a chart on location. A color chart shot at random , means nothing to a colorist.

There was no explanation of grey scales and the value to the D.P.

I dont know what a novice could get from this vid. apart from getting confused.
 
Heres a basic: explanation of grey scales and the value to the D.P.

Even though these 2 links are about Monitor management...it should not be difficult to translate it to exposure in a camera using a grey scale card by thinking backwards a little.

(Forget color for the moment.)

http://www.ivan.co.nz/ColorManagement.html
http://www.ivan.co.nz/Color management/Monitor.bmp


Heres the idea:

The grey scale represent the full range of tones in an image . (Grey scale is far more important than color. You cant control the color as much as the grey scale - tones)

If you expose a Grey Scale correctly (perfectly) you will see all the greys in the chart. (over or under expose either way and you see less of the greys at either end accordingly)

Understanding the grey scale then takes you to being able to control it. (With Lighting + exposure). It is absolutely legitimate to under or over expose (shift) any area of the grey scale ( except you must protect your whites ie they have an absolute upper limit)

Thats why a Grey Scale chart is useful.

A grey card has different functions. Its about the mid tone exposure. ( Gammas) The grey card correctly exposed sits in the mid sections of the grey scale and the wavform show this.

THey are also useful as a set up for Colorists.. The grey card is color neutral and should display on a vectorscope as such. ( ie a dot in the centre of the vectors). If it displays other wise...the colorist can dial the color out so that it does. This dial out will reflect in the images that you have shot also if the colorist uses the same dial in as the card.

Grey scales and grey cards need to be shot in controlled perfect conditions ( color temp /exposure. Not randomly under weird color temps or badly exposed..

Hope that helps a little. There is a lot to this subject. Color charts are another whole ball game.
 
Shooter said:
Its not actually possible to set up an AF100 to the chart. Studio cameras yes of course.

The video did not fully explain to a novice how one would shoot a chart on location. A color chart shot at random , means nothing to a colorist.

There was no explanation of grey scales and the value to the D.P.

I dont know what a novice could get from this vid. apart from getting confused.
Click to expand...

It's a starting point. If someone is really interested in a color chart they can first jones the DSC Labs site and read the articles, they can also read elsewhere on the net.

Of course you are right that the AF-100 is limited in what it can do to manipulate the color and tonal balance in camera but anyone with a passing knowledge of shooting properly knows how to light, get the tonal balance evened out for the siutation and white balance. Basic stuff if you are going to be hanging a shingle.

The color/greyscale chart allows you to hit the ground running in post. One should assume white balance and basic tonal adjustments are done before shooting. And yes I would completely agree that greyscale charting is immesely useful when you begin the process of grading but I wouldn't minimize the importance of the color charting. Those flesh tone swatches allow you to get the color in the vicinity pretty quickly once you bring up the scopes and start adjusting the curves and such.

People should be encouraged to use charts. It will elevate their product once they school themselves on proper use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top