HPX300 for a feature film

R

RTRES

Member
Hi guys, I have to choose a camera for a no budget feature film, we have the option to use the HVX200 or maybe the HPX300, but we are not sure that the 300 is 1080PN. Maybe we will need to blow up to 35mm, maybe not. Any advice ? Thanks. R

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www.codicecinema.com
 
Here's a list of what the 300 can shoot:
Records in AVC-Intra (1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97P and 1080/23.98P (native 24p/30p), and 720P with variable frames in 23.98pN, 29.97pN and 59.94P); DVCPRO HD (1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97P, 1080/23.98P, 1080/23.98pA, 720/59.94P, 720/29.97P, 720/29.97pN and 720/23.98pN); DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV (480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p and 480/23.98pA)

Jim
 
Just to throw my two cents in, if you seriously think you're going to do a 35 blow up, I would def. choose the 300. Noise reduction passes at a decent post house are extremely expensive and the 300 image is far less noisy. The fine tuning that you can do to your image is also extremely helpful if you're planning on going to a blow up.
 
I just shot an entry to a film festival's 36 hour film race event with my 300. Considering the speed of the setups, I was forced to use available light in several scenes. One situation was a dimly lit bar and the 300's latitude and tolerance was extremely impressive. I chose AVC-Intra 100 720pN at variable frame rates with the stock Fuji lens. There was enough latitude on those shots for impressive DI work, too.
 
I believe you have a different issue other than resolution size at play here... If you are shooting anything with action, you will run into hell with skew at 1080 24p.

You should seriously consider that before jumping to anything. Your subject matter is WAY more important than the "noise" and other issues between the 2 cameras. A shoot with tons of action like "Twister" would not be possible with this camera. The skew would be horrible unless you take all the thrill out of the camera movement.

There are now post ways to deal with the skew, but that's a lot of time invested in correction, and you should seriously consider it. If you subject matter isnt action packed, then I'd shoot with the 300 hands down... I will say this, why are you locking yourself into only thos 2 camera? that's a large difference and there are other cameras that fit in between the two that could be a better solution depending on your subject matter.

As a Cinematographer part of your roll is to pick lenses, aspect ratio, and camera in accordance to the subject matter. If you are shooting something that will feel better with a 200 than use a 200... Same goes for all the other models out there. Quick movements will not work with any CMOS camera except for the RED One, for a blow up. I can notice the skew in full 1080p in the Sony when its not even moving much, if its for critical eyes, figure out the BEST solution possible.
 
HVX 200 or HPX 300?

HVX 200 or HPX 300?

Earlier in the thread, the decision was stated to be between an HVX200 or HPX300.

You could probably get a better image than the 200 with an HMC-150, and avoid the CMOS issues spoken about in this thread.

We're working on a short film now with a mix of action and no-action dialogue scenes using the 150, and so far, we don't see any issues, although this is not a run-and-gun shoot. We are properly lighting each scene.

Randy
 
Thanks Giuseppe, yes we will have some action sequences so bringing the skew factor to the table was great. So I will have this issue in mind. What do you think using the 300 at 720p vrs 200 at 720p ?

RTRES
www.codicecinema.com
 
If you are really going to have the funding to go up to 35mm, why not shoot on something better than HD?

There are a LOT of Red cameras out there, and I'm sure that you could line up a good short term rental deal.

The Red is a completely different beast than P2, but if you're going to the big screen, why not shoot on a camera designed for the big screen instead of a camera designed for home TVs?
 
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