F55: multi-camera shows are switching to s35mm with Panavised F55

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Both "The Big Bang Theory" and Mom", multi-camera shows, are currently shot on “Panavised” Sony F55 cameras putting them among the first sitcoms to make the switch to 35mm sensors. via Panavision.

Cinematographer Steven Silver ASC says, "I was looking for a little more filmic look for Mom. The pilot was shot on film and the producers and studio were happy with the look, but wanted to continue on digital."

Full article: http://cinetiny.com/8mLTMgDA
 
very cool, thanks for sharing this. I would be interested to know more about what a "panavised" F 55 is. From the article I got the impression that has a lot to do with post as well as matching cameras.
 
I believe mostly just providing a PV mount for the F55 as well as changes to the body to mount all the great Panavision accessories. I don't find that they modify the internals on Sony cameras all that much, except for the Genesis which is not badged as a Sony.
 
Here are a few from the 2013 NAB floor.
 

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cool... I'm swooning, but the director did mentioned that they also helped out with the workflow as well. To be honest, I didn't know that Panavision has their own mount. I always assume that cinema lenses are all "natively" PL.
 
hscully said:
cool... I'm swooning, but the director did mentioned that they also helped out with the workflow as well. To be honest, I didn't know that Panavision has their own mount. I always assume that cinema lenses are all "natively" PL.
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Panavision rents cameras. By using their mounts and their systems you have to rent their lenses and package. On the plus side they maintain their stuff so you know what you're getting and there's a wide variety of lenses available. "No Reservations" was using a Panavised F3 most of the time.
 
Visit the Panavision website and you can find a detailed breakdown on what they do to Panavize the F55. I believe Jon Fauer also did an article for FV Times.

It took a LONG time for Big Bang Theory to change. They were shooting on ancient Panavized F900 cameras before.
 
I can't remember if it's multi-cam, but Amazon's BETAS_ shoots F55 as well, and is on Amazon on demand right now.

Non-Panavised.

Seems like the camera's catching on quickly.
 
hscully said:
very cool, thanks for sharing this. I would be interested to know more about what a "panavised" F 55 is. From the article I got the impression that has a lot to do with post as well as matching cameras.
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Mitch is right. The PV website does have some good images/video of the accessory system that Panavision developed for the F55. It is definitely the best comprehensive system for F55 accessories and will be the same no matter what Panavision office you go to whether using PV of PL lenses. The change over to F55 on sitcom packages out of Panavision is as much an outgrowth of the fact F900 cameras, whether recording in or out of camera, are "long in the tooth". Maintenance and support are likely becoming difficult as parts become less available for a camera system that is now 13 years old. It interesting to see that they worked with focal length and exposure etc... to work the depth of field. It goes to show you can use the S35 sensor in a sitcom and still maintain a similar DOF of the 2/3" cameras.

The Genesis Display Processor (GDP box) that is mentioned is a box that allows productions to build LUT's that generally are used as monitor luts. With ability to store multiple LUTs the ability to change between "looks" in quick and simple. With a GDP on set and one at the post house the produciton can create 709 corrected looks to use on set for audience monitors on SLOG-2 recorded shows. That LUT can then be sent, along with the footage to the post house to be used as a jumping off point for initial color correction.

Since the cameras on Big Bang are being run in 709 color space camera matching on set is likely being accomplished using the MSU-700 or RMB-750 remote paint camera control boxes much like a traditional live production would use.

During my time working for Panavision they worked diligently with on set DITs, post houses, Post Supervisors and the DP's to make sure that the workflow selected for a particular show was going to be appropriate. Panavision did not dictate or deploy the workflow, just consulted to make sure that they were able to correctly support the production and the final decision of what the workflow would be.

Regardless of what camera rental house you use - or sales company you purchase from, it is imperative you discuss the workflow you plan to implement and allow them to consult with you. Some facilities are set up to support production end to end, some recommend you to appropriate post houses who can support you. You determine your path at that point but ti is to the benefit of all that you are successful and are able to do your best work.
 
F55 Momentum

F55 Momentum

Kholi said:
...Seems like the camera's catching on quickly.
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The camera is gaining momentum. Purchase inquiries are increasing. Interest in and desires for 4K archivall for television and independent feature productions continues to increase. 4K for commercial work has been around a while with RED and 4K acquisition for corporate production is starting to heat up as producers realize the ease of reformatting / cropping the shot. 4K XAVC seems to be easier to manage for many people that working in the RED environment so things will continue to pick up.

The next firmware update to V3.0 will only serve to increase interest and demand in the camera as we get to 180fps internal recording and truly variable frame rates. Don't look now but pilot season is just around the corner and I'm sure there will be a significant quantity of pilots shooting F55 from various rental houses.
 
Kholi said:
I can't remember if it's multi-cam, but Amazon's BETAS_ shoots F55 as well, and is on Amazon on demand right now.

Non-Panavised.

Seems like the camera's catching on quickly.
Click to expand...

The Blacklist is also shot on F55

thanks for the tip on the Panavision webite, guys. Lots of great stuff there
 
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