Creating the best image with the XL-H1 (on HDV)...

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poppe

Member
Hey guys,

I am a student at a film school (Director), and I am shooting a short for my Directing 2 project.

What is the best way to get the best image possible with the XL-H1. What I mean is their lights or light temperatures that come off better? For example in this short the whole room needs to be white without being blown out. Will the XL-H1 have troubles with 2 1.2k HMIs?

I am also really just looking for any help or tips that you all have experience towards making the XL-H1 image the best it could be.
 
My advise is, find a better camera to shoot with rather than the H1. My year or so experience with it shooting news was a terrible one. now your best bet is to shoot with the EX1 for a low budget shot it produces great results!
 
Socman86 said:
My advise is, find a better camera to shoot with rather than the H1. My year or so experience with it shooting news was a terrible one. now your best bet is to shoot with the EX1 for a low budget shot it produces great results!
Click to expand...

This is just wrong advice. It's not the camera that gives you good result, it's the operator. Steven Dempsey (Disjecta) used to have an XL-H1 and he created some gorgeous image with it. I have an A1 which is basically the mini-H1 and the picture is great when used properly.

With regard to the OP's question, the H1, like most video cameras, have a limited dynamic range. Those HMI will likely cause the walls blow out and you'll definitely have to cut down the light output somehow.
 
The lights or the camera aren't the problem. Knowledge is all you need.

You simply need to expose for the highlight areas you want to maintain detail in.

White balance the camera. Light the scene properly. The XL H1 is a great camera. If you want a film look, shoot in 24 F, use a Min-35 adapter with prime lenses, record to HDV or output HDSDI to a HDCAM deck.

M
 
poppe said:
Hey guys,

I am a student at a film school (Director), and I am shooting a short for my Directing 2 project.

What is the best way to get the best image possible with the XL-H1. What I mean is their lights or light temperatures that come off better? For example in this short the whole room needs to be white without being blown out. Will the XL-H1 have troubles with 2 1.2k HMIs?

I am also really just looking for any help or tips that you all have experience towards making the XL-H1 image the best it could be.
Click to expand...


There is a downloadable database of custom presets. You can find it either here or at DVI. I recommend disjecta's custom preset as a standard "middle" ground and then tweak the look in post.

Whach your exposure. Don't underexpose too much. You'll want to avoid the noise floor. Plus the H1 clips highlights better than a lot of 1/3" cameras, so be careful of underexposure. Exposure and focus to a large external monitor (preferably a 23" cinema display if possible).

Shoot 24F.

Record straight o disk if possible via the HD-SDI outputs. Otherwise Canon's HDV implementation is absolutely the best I've seen.
 
Socman86 said:
My advise is, find a better camera to shoot with rather than the H1. My year or so experience with it shooting news was a terrible one. now your best bet is to shoot with the EX1 for a low budget shot it produces great results!
Click to expand...

You obviously have no idea how to use the xlh1, its an outstanding camera, it was used on "24" and Gladiator, yeah its a crap camera. This camera takes time and experience, the results are amazing in the hands of somebody who know the camera well.
:thumbsup:
 
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