Cine-ei

[jo kami]

Came across this video from NAB 2011 where the F35 firmware update was released... 12 bit, and the EI values were included.
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/video/redirect.do?releasePid=SzXbIEv8OyGA
They also mention in the video the really amazing SR-M9000PL which I soon discovered was never produced as well as the SR-R3. Really huge bummer...can't believe sony just left the owners in the dust like that. If you had a 9000PL, they would upgrade it to the SR Memory versoin for FREE! Insane...however they also cancelled the free upgrade :-(

Anyways they mention having new CINE-EI values 640/800/1000. And 800EI was noted for best latitude.
Now I understand the base ISO is still 450, and setting the EI value to 800 is pretty much just underexposing the image. In the manual it mentions using a LUT to bring the levels back up. Hence allocating more headroom for highlights but noiser shadows.

Why did sony include this? Was it to compete with the alexa by showing off they could also do 800EI and 12bit?
We obviously could have rated it at 800 with our meters and have the same effect.

I just want to make sure that 800EI is just a simple display feature, and not doing anything at all...

anyone want to chime in?




PS. here is a PDF from 2011, showing their future upgrades, and also a latitude chart using 800EI
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/show/highend/pdf/HDCAM_SR_Full.pdf

if only they released the SR-R3 dammit!!!

 

[JMtheDP]

Jo

You are right. Whatever ISO you choose in CINE-EI mode, the camera doesn't change the image - only the MLUT.

A cynical person (like me) would say that RED basically did a similar thing by calling the M-X ISO 800 - IMHO it is still 320, they just took advantage of improved shadow latitude to make it appear better in the highlights by getting you to under-expose.

CINE-EI mode is great for people used to shooting film, as it is very similar to push-processing film in a way. Having the latitude reading on the side of the camera is handy. I like the mode.