Need Suggestions on small HD cam for Car Scenes : Like RENO 911

Eatsnax

Eatsnax

Well-known member
Hello guys, I've purchased a Flip HD for car scenes, like in RENO 911 style where it feels a little bit like its a spy cam. Like in many reality shows on TV.

I modified it to use a Wide Angle lens. I like it so far.

But I need a suggestion as to what other cameras in that price range will allow me to LOCK the IRIS. Thats that biggest problem with the FLIP ULTRA. The IRIS breaths a lot. And when I shoot in a car and the car window has bright light entering the car, the IRIS will compensate for it, and then I will end up with footage where the actor is so DARK I cant see him. Nor can I grade it because the blacks are CRUSHED.

Anyone here have good experience with a small camera, in the $200 range, shoots HD, tapeless, no insane amount of dropped frames and allows at least the ability to LOCK the IRIS?
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Would it help if you ND the windows and leave them rolled up or use a car with a sunroof?
 
Hey Chip there you are again to help. Whats up?

Yes I have thought of that. The sunroof is something I thought of too. But I need it to be versatile since this show will have the charcters in many different situations and cars.

ND'ing the windows is too much cumbersome work.

What I did do is cut out ND gel paper and placed it over the lens of the flip. It helps just a little. But not enough. In the end I need a cam that can control and lock iris.

Thanks though.
 
Cut oversized ND sheets framed with plastic or cardboard which you can tape to the outside or inside of the car window areas as required. Fast on, fast off.
 
The nd idea is something that I need to see in action. Anyone doing this? I just don't see the nd sheets and frames staying on while the car is moving.

In other news it looks like I found the camera. The camera is the Sanyo CH10. It's the only one I could find that has an exposure control under 200 bucks. I'm going to get one now at Radio Shack. I'll keep you guys posted.
 
NDing the window is also the same as tinting it, go to a window tint shop, maybe even home depot has it and buy the sheets, they are cheap or use cars that all have tinted windows. NDing the camera will make your subject darker, you need to ND (tint) the windows. I deal with it all the time with an hvx, I just expose the driver and blow out the exterior on really sunny days. You could also shoot on cloudy days, that will help some.
 
I don't know of any cameras to meet those needs but maybe a small fill light might help lower the "breathing" with the flip HD. It could be a lite panels 1X1 for a quick/easy solution or you could rig an Arri light to the hood for the more complex route.

Cole
 
Cole said:
I don't know of any cameras to meet those needs but maybe a small fill light might help lower the "breathing" with the flip HD. It could be a lite panels 1X1 for a quick/easy solution or you could rig an Arri light to the hood for the more complex route.

Cole
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What are 1X1 lite panels can you show me a link or something?

I have this really cool electrical AC/DC converter that plugs into the cig lighter from Harbor Freight. I like it it's saved me in the past but its loud!. Anyway is there anything like that that can power AC current that is quiet?

Thanks
 
ChipG said:
NDing the window is also the same as tinting it, go to a window tint shop, maybe even home depot has it and buy the sheets, they are cheap or use cars that all have tinted windows. NDing the camera will make your subject darker, you need to ND (tint) the windows. I deal with it all the time with an hvx, I just expose the driver and blow out the exterior on really sunny days. You could also shoot on cloudy days, that will help some.
Click to expand...

I think I found my camera. Sayno CG10. In the 200 price range this one gives you the best balance. You have all kinds of controls like aperture lock and focus lock and even ISO settings. The video is pretty decent. I was able to grade it pretty well with little artifacting. Of course I didnt do a lot of grading yet. But with the Flip I found it pretty hard to grade especially when the Flip crushes blacks because the iris will breath like crazy.

Though in the end in good lighting the Flip looks a bit nicer and in low light the Flip OWNS! Its does get grainy if you view it on an HD Plasma, but for Web it WORKS!

Anyway I hope this helps anyone interested in finding a 200 camcorder shoots HD and has controllable features.
 
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