Zissou
Well-known member
Hello fellow DVX users,
I am about to do a full writeup for matching the Canon T2i HDSLR with the Canon XH A1 camcorder in the next few days, specifically colors, dynamic range, and contrast, and with as much detail as i can possibly get into, with some stills from video as well as a clip or two on YouTube. Theoretically, this should also be a writeup for matching the 60D and 7D to the XH A1 considering they use the same sensor and processing techniques.
Most of the tweaks need be performed on the much more adaptable Canon XH A1. Also, if you do not yet have a grey card (WB card), GET ONE. It is CRITICAL.
I do not normally post on youtube or do much in terms of writeups, but together the T2i and XH A1 are a tour de force for video, and right now, both are priced great. I have 2 XH A1/Letus rigs and 3 T2i cameras. I will discuss color/contrast matching, 35mm adapter matching (Letus Extreme with Canon FD lenses), and technical work on matching approximate fields of view (focal distances) and crop factors (between the T2i's, XH A1, and Letus/FD at appropriate zoom ranges) betwixt the two HD cams. The 35mm adapter matching writeup will be in a second part, as not everyone has/uses/wants one so i will split them down, and the technique and finessing post work is indeed different for T2i vs XH A1 and T2i vs XH A1/Letus with FD or Nikkors.
Custom presets for the XH A1 and T2i will be fully listed for best compatibility in post work, color matching, etc. I transcode both to the same I-frame for editing; all details will be given, and suggestions, corrections, and questions are all welcomed. I shoot the XH A1 to a DN-60 CF recorder so i will list all XH A1 files as .M2T or .m2t files, and all T2i work as .mov's (h.264 in MOV). I do NOT deal with tape so please dont ask about tape-related vs card related issues.
I use Adobe CS5 (premiere pro) for editing, so everything will be written and explained in Premiere Pro terms; i do NOT work in FCP or Vegas or other NLE's, and i have no idea how changes in PP color/contrast etc flow with FCP or Vegas, etc. so please dont ask me how NLE 'A' deals with color in NLE 'B'
I shoot TV ads, stock footage, and web content in the USA and Europe with both cameras, and the last month finally nailed best matching settings for both cameras and CS5 NLE. There are several tips and tricks i have learned for best matching both cameras which i will discuss and provide stills and video about. I do have a very slow internet connection so my uploads will take 2-3 days until i get off to the office and upload from there.
If you have specific color related questions, it will take me a few days to give you an absolute answer, as i am partially colorblind (red/green) and rely on two associates for final CC work. I have taught digital still photography and teach 3 interns digital video shooting techniques at our company in the field. I have and continue to teach still camera workshops. Both cameras, despite different 'true' resolutions (1920x1080P/1280x720P vs 1440x1080F/P/i), shoot 4:2:0 and can be coerced into the same relative dynamic range, and the XH A1 is very tweakable and dynamic; so CC in post isnt THAT hard.
I learned all i know about digital photography by buying a Nikon D50 and shooting strictly in 'M' manual mode, and later via the internet. I have learned A LOT about digital video here on DVXuser, so i figure i should give back.
I will be filming all this week on the subject; figure i give a heads up so persons with both cameras or considering a T2i/60D/7D or XH A1 can bring up their concerns. I would be happy to work on matching an HVX200/HVX200A/HVX200B or other HD camcorder to the T2i/60D/7D as well, but i would need to borrow one for about 2-3 days.
I hope a few of you find it useful and comprehensive. I should have a total of 5 or 6 FD lenses to test with as well as the original 'kit' 18-55 EF-S IS T2i lens. I do NOT recommend zoom lenses for HDSLR's, and i will be using a selection of Nikkor 'D' lenses and old Canon FD lenses for T2i footage.
I will post all video and photo links to my flickr or youtube accounts (i do not make anything off either). Any questions or particular tests you would like me to run, please post and i will gladly shoot it. If you have specific gear/lens concerns i will try to address them, and if i can, will specifically deal with them.
Stay tuned.
I am about to do a full writeup for matching the Canon T2i HDSLR with the Canon XH A1 camcorder in the next few days, specifically colors, dynamic range, and contrast, and with as much detail as i can possibly get into, with some stills from video as well as a clip or two on YouTube. Theoretically, this should also be a writeup for matching the 60D and 7D to the XH A1 considering they use the same sensor and processing techniques.
Most of the tweaks need be performed on the much more adaptable Canon XH A1. Also, if you do not yet have a grey card (WB card), GET ONE. It is CRITICAL.
I do not normally post on youtube or do much in terms of writeups, but together the T2i and XH A1 are a tour de force for video, and right now, both are priced great. I have 2 XH A1/Letus rigs and 3 T2i cameras. I will discuss color/contrast matching, 35mm adapter matching (Letus Extreme with Canon FD lenses), and technical work on matching approximate fields of view (focal distances) and crop factors (between the T2i's, XH A1, and Letus/FD at appropriate zoom ranges) betwixt the two HD cams. The 35mm adapter matching writeup will be in a second part, as not everyone has/uses/wants one so i will split them down, and the technique and finessing post work is indeed different for T2i vs XH A1 and T2i vs XH A1/Letus with FD or Nikkors.
Custom presets for the XH A1 and T2i will be fully listed for best compatibility in post work, color matching, etc. I transcode both to the same I-frame for editing; all details will be given, and suggestions, corrections, and questions are all welcomed. I shoot the XH A1 to a DN-60 CF recorder so i will list all XH A1 files as .M2T or .m2t files, and all T2i work as .mov's (h.264 in MOV). I do NOT deal with tape so please dont ask about tape-related vs card related issues.
I use Adobe CS5 (premiere pro) for editing, so everything will be written and explained in Premiere Pro terms; i do NOT work in FCP or Vegas or other NLE's, and i have no idea how changes in PP color/contrast etc flow with FCP or Vegas, etc. so please dont ask me how NLE 'A' deals with color in NLE 'B'
I shoot TV ads, stock footage, and web content in the USA and Europe with both cameras, and the last month finally nailed best matching settings for both cameras and CS5 NLE. There are several tips and tricks i have learned for best matching both cameras which i will discuss and provide stills and video about. I do have a very slow internet connection so my uploads will take 2-3 days until i get off to the office and upload from there.
If you have specific color related questions, it will take me a few days to give you an absolute answer, as i am partially colorblind (red/green) and rely on two associates for final CC work. I have taught digital still photography and teach 3 interns digital video shooting techniques at our company in the field. I have and continue to teach still camera workshops. Both cameras, despite different 'true' resolutions (1920x1080P/1280x720P vs 1440x1080F/P/i), shoot 4:2:0 and can be coerced into the same relative dynamic range, and the XH A1 is very tweakable and dynamic; so CC in post isnt THAT hard.
I learned all i know about digital photography by buying a Nikon D50 and shooting strictly in 'M' manual mode, and later via the internet. I have learned A LOT about digital video here on DVXuser, so i figure i should give back.
I will be filming all this week on the subject; figure i give a heads up so persons with both cameras or considering a T2i/60D/7D or XH A1 can bring up their concerns. I would be happy to work on matching an HVX200/HVX200A/HVX200B or other HD camcorder to the T2i/60D/7D as well, but i would need to borrow one for about 2-3 days.
I hope a few of you find it useful and comprehensive. I should have a total of 5 or 6 FD lenses to test with as well as the original 'kit' 18-55 EF-S IS T2i lens. I do NOT recommend zoom lenses for HDSLR's, and i will be using a selection of Nikkor 'D' lenses and old Canon FD lenses for T2i footage.
I will post all video and photo links to my flickr or youtube accounts (i do not make anything off either). Any questions or particular tests you would like me to run, please post and i will gladly shoot it. If you have specific gear/lens concerns i will try to address them, and if i can, will specifically deal with them.
Stay tuned.
