DVX or HVX for Filmout

L

livelikeriley

Well-known member
I am new to digital filmmaking. Till now I have shot 16mm and super 16mm only [aside from student shorts on crappy VX2000 cameras et al in school]. I have a 16mm camera package right now, but in preparing my feature film, I am very curious to shoot in digital to allow myself a larger shooting ratio. I have a few questions [and this being my first post am not sure if this is the right forum...so please move this post if need be]...First of all, I plan to shoot 16x9 footage at 24p Advanced. I am also heavily interested in the idea of shooting with a 35mm lens adapter to give me the DOF that I am used to [and the audience is used to] in film work. Given the fact that I want to do an eventual filmout to 35, would I be better served by the DVX or the HVX? HVX is HD, but what difference does that make? It is 16x9 native, but if I use the anamorphic adapter for the DVX, is that not the same aspect ratio? Is the HD picture going to give a better performance eventually transfered to film? And if so, is it actually noticeable [by the audience, not us geek heads]. And also, with the HVX, which mode of recording is better suited to a film out - 1080 or 720? I am not sure on the difference here. I.m sorry to ask so many 'newbie' questions, and have searched the forums for most of my info up to this point. Any answers and or help is greatly appreciated. OH, and I forgot my last question about the DVX - I read a lot about losing quality shooting in either letterbox or squeeze mode, but if I simply shot normal 4:3 and framed for 16x9 [this is what I do with standard 16mm film] how is there a loss of quality? I.m just not getting it. Thanks again.

Thanks,
Mark.
 
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if your transfering to film, HD will give you the resolution you need to havea cleaner image on the big screen, without a doubt.

that is, if you can fork up the cash for one.
 
I also think there will be some resolution loss if using a cheaper 35mm adapter. If you're doing a filmout you need the most res you can get. Meaning the HVX would be a much better choice.
 
Well, let me ask this question then - is the 35mm adapter necessary to get a film like appearance on miniDV? I was under the impression that the DVX [or HVX] is going to have a DOF of like 60 feet at 10mm which puts EVERYTHING into focus...I mean, I could cheat it and shoot more telephoto, but that defeats the purpose of a lot of my scenes [I do alot of walking and talking widescreen stuff - think early woody allen]. Would I benefit from the 35 adapter or could I bang out a film like appearance without it? Keep in mind that I do use a professional DP and we will light very professionally, so that wedge is in place already.

Thanks,
Mark.
 
HVX without a doubt. The resolution will make a huge difference in a big screen.

And I don't believe you need a 35mm adapter for it to look like a film. Shoot it well, and enjoy the fact that it's easier to get things in focus. The DVX and HVX are capable of nice focus racks if you zoom in all the way. In a big screen you don't need much more than that.
 
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I understand the fact that I can do some racks at full [or near full] zoom...but like I said, I do a lot of walking and talking scenes...some are indoors where the light can be controlled, but some are shot outside on the streets of new york...does anyone have any footage like this? I see these shots of flowers etc. which are nice and show what the camera is capable of, but I.m just wondering if I could see some footage that looks filmic and is well lit [or in natural daylight] of a dialogue scene.

Thanks,
Mark.
 
jrv3034 said:
HVX without a doubt. The resolution will make a huge difference in a big screen.

And I don't believe you need a 35mm adapter for it to look like a film. Shoot it well, and enjoy the fact that it's easier to get things in focus. The DVX and HVX are capable of nice focus racks if you zoom in all the way. In a big screen you don't need much more than that.
Click to expand...

You need serious space to pull off GOOD looking focus racks.

For example, in Bricemans' A Price Too High, the two subjects or fields that are racked are a good length apart. You can't do that in a small room where you can't get the two subjects far enough apart.

It all depends, as well, on which 35mm adapter you're going to use. Either way, you should be prepared for it. You say (the thread starter) that you have experience shooting 16mm film... you need to treat your digital application the same way to achieve the best results.

If you opt out of a 35mm adapter when shooting digital, do some serious pre-planning when considering shots to obtain the best looking digital image that you can.
 
livelikeriley said:
I understand the fact that I can do some racks at full [or near full] zoom...but like I said, I do a lot of walking and talking scenes...some are indoors where the light can be controlled, but some are shot outside on the streets of new york...does anyone have any footage like this? I see these shots of flowers etc. which are nice and show what the camera is capable of, but I.m just wondering if I could see some footage that looks filmic and is well lit [or in natural daylight] of a dialogue scene.

Thanks,
Mark.
Click to expand...

Since you're a member of the forum, scour the "DVX Clips" section, or the similar Hvx Clips section... there's a ton of stuff to watch that'll give you an idea on what you can achieve with either camera.
 
I.ve looked through those forums and seen a ton of stuff [mainly responsible for me even CONSIDERING dropping my 16mm camera :) or :( ??] - but like I said, I haven.t seen that much dialogue...mostly either reel style footage or 'action' films or trailers...I was hoping someone either had something or had seen something they know the link to that is more along the lines of a dialogue driven film.

Thanks again you.re all very supportive,
Mark.
 
Go buy a DVD called NOVEMBER.

It's shot on a DVX100 (not a or b) and stars Courtney Cox.

It went to the theatres, and then to DVD. BUY it, do not rent it, as it has valuable commentary for people just like you and I. b
 
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