Multi-cam colour matching problems

[Evro]

Hi all,

After many exhaustive attempts to try and colour match the footage from our XL2 to our DVX for multi-cam shoots I'm now reaching the limits of my patience. I'm wasting too much time colour matching in post.

1) Are there any owners of both cams out there who have been able to do this with any success and can provide their XL2 settings?

2) Inversely has anyone been able to "dumb down" their DVX settings to match the XL2?

3) If there was no way around this problem and we were forced to buy an HVX for shooting in SD, would we have any probs matching the DVX & HVX footage?


Thanks for your advice.

 

[ben-s]

Colour correction is standard practice in post - you may just have to live with it.

Have you tried manually setting the white balance simultaneously from the same object?
If you are using Auto tracking white balance, you will almost certainly have problems later.

I'm sure you will be able to match the cameras up.
The only way around the problem is to keep experimenting until you hit the settings that do what you want.


I think that shelling out for an HVX may be a bit of an overkill, unless you're going to get one anyway.

 

[Evro]

I never use auto anything on cameras, furthermore I don't think the problem is so much the colour balance but more to do with each camera's colour response. The DVX seems to have a more pleasing look leaning towards the reds where the XL2 seems to accentuate the green colours and has more subdued colour saturation.
Another thing I've noticed with the XL2 is that it has more headroom with the blacks and does not squash them like the DVX does.

You're right regarding the HVX, and although it would be nice to have one I don't see a market in the Australian events industry for HiDef at the moment. I think I'll be going for another DVX and selling the XL2 or keeping it as a backup camera.

This is what happens when you mail order a camera based on internet reviews and forums without trying it out first

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Hello,

Have any of you guys used a PANASONIC PROLINE AG-DVC30P as a standby camera? The listing says that it uses film-like gamma technology. Does this camera do 24p, and will it match up with footage taken on my dvx100, & 100b?

I am looking for a 3rd camera that won't hurt my pockets and price-wise this camera is looking good.

Thanks,

 

[Joshua Provost]

The DVX seems to have a more pleasing look leaning towards the reds where the XL2 seems to accentuate the green colours and has more subdued colour saturation.

The XL2 has very detailed color controls. You should be able to turn down green, turn up red, and turn up the overall saturation. It helps to have test charts so you can make objective comparisons.

Another thing I've noticed with the XL2 is that it has more headroom with the blacks and does not squash them like the DVX does.

You can raise the master pedestal on the DVX to prevent squashing blacks. Gamma curve contributes greatly to the look of a cam as well.