VaricamLT: Converging Beams

S

sebben

Well-known member
I have been trying to get hold of a demo camera to test against the alexa. But that has proven impossible in Iceland so far. I have also had trouble finding footage from the Panasonics so I would say that the marketing department is not doing a good job. I stumbled on this piece shot by Vanja Černjul ASC for panasonic in case you guys have missed it.

https://vimeo.com/165676816

Some weird grading going on I think, with some tracked masks jumping around a bit at the end. (At least thats what it looks like to me) Im not so sold on the look to be honest but my guess is that this was shot at high ISO. Some of it is really nice but other parts seem overly sharp with strange colours.
 
DVX's own Charles Papert shot the new MTV "Mary + Jane" TV series using the larger Varicam 35 camera : Getting high (ISO) on MTV's "Mary + Jane"

And the NetFlix series "Master of None" starring Aziz Ansari was also shot with the Varicam 35 camera : IMDB: Master of None

The Varicam LT camera is supposed to use the same sensor as the Varicam 35 but with a different electronics package, so I would expect a similar image from the LT camera.
 
TheDingo said:
The Varicam LT camera is supposed to use the same sensor as the Varicam 35 but with a different electronics package, so I would expect a similar image from the LT camera.
Click to expand...

Correct, though it should be noted that those differences have no impact on the sensor, and its more about processing power required for the additional codecs the 35 offers + through put for the codex RAW recorded.

I will openly admit that the LT has taken a little bit of time for me to really get moving. At the time of it's arrival (May) I was in the midst of other things and coming of those I was away in Japan etc etc etc. I do have a few LT pieces coming over the next month that I will be able to openly share here.
 
To add to the list of varicam material. Fast 8 (fast and furious 8) just wrapped shooting the varicam 35. The film started on the Arri Alexa and after evaluating the varicam switched cameras. I personally wouldn't judge or make a camera decision based on graded samples online. I'd suggest trying to get some un-graded footage. I believe milan O posted a clip on here a few days ago.
Better yet I'd say try to get hands on an actual camera and shoot your own material to evaluate.
 
here are some links to varicam LT and 35 material on Vimeo. People seem to love using this camera at the 5000 iso base, but hey since it's the only camera that's capable of that I guess why not.

I tried to pic the ones that don't have dodgy grades

https://vimeo.com/159585064

https://vimeo.com/162334715

https://vimeo.com/105522587

https://vimeo.com/164623796

https://vimeo.com/171133916

https://vimeo.com/147561872

containment is also shot on the varicam

[url]http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4421578/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
[/URL]
 
Last edited:
Hi Sean:
A bit off topic, but would love to get your feedback on the Letus AnamorphX Pro. Did you ever use it with the LT? What is your opinion on its performance, especially relative to ready-made anamorphic lenses. Would be great to see some footage of it with the LT if you have any. Cheers.
 
I really liked the look of the video in the OP, although that masking towards the end was very strange. That was the 35, not the LT, correct?
 
Alex Roz said:
Where did you get that info?
Click to expand...

I had a chat with the DP Stephen F. Windon, He an Aussie don't know if Noel Evans knows him. They shot everything on that show including RED and Black-magic but the Varicam 35 replaced the Alexa SXT at the main camera on the films. Also did all of the re-shoots
 
RayZan said:
Hi Sean:
A bit off topic, but would love to get your feedback on the Letus AnamorphX Pro. Did you ever use it with the LT? What is your opinion on its performance, especially relative to ready-made anamorphic lenses. Would be great to see some footage of it with the LT if you have any. Cheers.
Click to expand...

I love the ANamorhX, I think optically it's the best adapter (hence my owning 2). It's and adapter so a comparison to proper ready-made lenses isn't really valid or logical. I have used all the other adapters out there and can confidently say performs better optically.
the down side is that it is proper glass and a but heavier than the cheaper adapters
 
Hi,

I've only seen a few tests between the Varicam vs the Arri ALEV III sensor.
https://vimeo.com/159843345
https://youtu.be/-OAEgariGKI
https://youtu.be/9DkU_qzK7mg
https://youtu.be/fKlkYYSjWkk

For whatever reason the Varicam in the Vimeo test had serious moire issues when shot at 1080p. I'm not sure if it is because it's shot at cropped 1080p and not 4k. From my experiences so far tho, the Varicam didn't seem to be easily prone to moire when shooting fine patterns. But maybe others who have shot more can share their experience.

To my eye, it looks like the Arri ALEV III sensor might have around 1/2 a stop more info in the highlights and shadows compared to Varicam. And this is slightly confirmed in the test done in Russia (see link above). But you could use a low-con filter in a very high cotrast situation to help the Varicam hold highlights.

I also heard a good interview on the Go Creative podcast with Ludovic Littee, the DP on Orange is the New Black. He discusses why he switched the show to the Varicam over the Arri, Red, or Sony camera's. http://gocreativeshow.com/shooting-orange-is-the-new-black-with-ludovic-littee-gcs064/

And here are some more samples shot on the Varicam sensor (35 or LT)
https://vimeo.com/187422801
https://vimeo.com/182052187
https://vimeo.com/181762783
https://vimeo.com/167484940
https://vimeo.com/122709918
https://vimeo.com/124901790
https://vimeo.com/176070346
https://vimeo.com/172816644
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-CMenIzx3A



Cheers :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top