Camera to get for 16:9

Timofei Youriev

Timofei Youriev

Member
Hi,

looking to get camera for 16:9 film production. Don't care about HD for now - this is for learning filmmaking.

What would you recommend?
 
From what I understand the DVX does better in lowlight situations than the XL2. The 100B is supposed to have less noise than the 100/100a models as well. The advantage with the XL2 is the native 16;9 chips, though on the DVX you can shoot in squeeze mode or use photozoom and up rez to 16:9 (or you can just add a mask to it in post)
 
mehnkle said:
From what I understand the DVX does better in lowlight situations than the XL2. The 100B is supposed to have less noise than the 100/100a models as well. The advantage with the XL2 is the native 16;9 chips, though on the DVX you can shoot in squeeze mode or use photozoom and up rez to 16:9 (or you can just add a mask to it in post)
Click to expand...

Would photozoom make worse quality picture then XL2? If yes - how bad?
 
I think it would be about the same quality. I could be wrong though because I have not used photozoom before, though I know that quite a few people here use it. Granted, shooting 16:9 in camera is much easier but the focal length on the DVX is also wider than the xl2, I think adding the 16:9 bars in post would be sufficent.
Here is a VERY inforamtive article comparing the DVX/XL2/FX1.
 
mehnkle said:
I think it would be about the same quality. I could be wrong though because I have not used photozoom before, though I know that quite a few people here use it. Granted, shooting 16:9 in camera is much easier but the focal length on the DVX is also wider than the xl2, I think adding the 16:9 bars in post would be sufficent.
Here is a VERY inforamtive article comparing the DVX/XL2/FX1.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that article, very good review. understand one thing: i need HVX200 - low lux good and 24p and widescreen - nothing currently better in this price range.
 
Hello everyone, first post here. I've been looking at this forum for several months now and this is the question that finally got me to register.

Timofei,

I do not own either camera but I have rented both of them to make short films. If 16:9 and low light performance are your biggest needs, then the XL2 is the way to go. (by low-light I assume you mean you'll be turning up the gain.) The XL2 will shoot at +12db gain with very little noise, especially if you set the blacks to 'press'. Combine that with the video gamma setting and you can shoot at much lower levels of light than with a DVX100. (This is assuming you want to shoot progressive.) On the DVX, any turning up the gain gives you too much noise.

Having said that, I prefer the DVX overall. The 24p footage looks a bit more filmic, it handles better, has easier focussing, and gives you more options for looks.

Anyway, if low light 16:9 is your main shooting style, go with the XL2.
 
Need2Paint said:
Hello everyone, first post here. I've been looking at this forum for several months now and this is the question that finally got me to register.

Timofei,

I do not own either camera but I have rented both of them to make short films. If 16:9 and low light performance are your biggest needs, then the XL2 is the way to go. (by low-light I assume you mean you'll be turning up the gain.) The XL2 will shoot at +12db gain with very little noise, especially if you set the blacks to 'press'. Combine that with the video gamma setting and you can shoot at much lower levels of light than with a DVX100. (This is assuming you want to shoot progressive.) On the DVX, any turning up the gain gives you too much noise.

Having said that, I prefer the DVX overall. The 24p footage looks a bit more filmic, it handles better, has easier focussing, and gives you more options for looks.

Anyway, if low light 16:9 is your main shooting style, go with the XL2.
Click to expand...
Thank you Need2Paint - trying to find balance between 24p, low lux and 16:9.
 
Question about photozoom. I have this program but fail to see how to use this to uprez video files (avi or mpg). Photozoom is designed for stills.
 
DKEETELAAR said:
Question about photozoom. I have this program but fail to see how to use this to uprez video files (avi or mpg). Photozoom is designed for stills.
Click to expand...

"Export your letterbox footage from your 4x3 timeline as TIFF frames."

Here is disjecta's article on the process, hope this helps
 
Need2Paint said:
Hello everyone, first post here. I've been looking at this forum for several months now and this is the question that finally got me to register.

Timofei,

I do not own either camera but I have rented both of them to make short films. If 16:9 and low light performance are your biggest needs, then the XL2 is the way to go. (by low-light I assume you mean you'll be turning up the gain.) The XL2 will shoot at +12db gain with very little noise, especially if you set the blacks to 'press'. Combine that with the video gamma setting and you can shoot at much lower levels of light than with a DVX100. (This is assuming you want to shoot progressive.) On the DVX, any turning up the gain gives you too much noise.

Having said that, I prefer the DVX overall. The 24p footage looks a bit more filmic, it handles better, has easier focussing, and gives you more options for looks.

Anyway, if low light 16:9 is your main shooting style, go with the XL2.
Click to expand...


Your shootout goes against what you just said, it says "XL2: Wow is that film, it looks like it was shot on film" Ive used DVX's and XL2's many times and the xl2 makes a wayyy more cinematic look with the option to crush the blacks and interchangable lense and its perfect 24p.
 
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