Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Good points,

BUT...speaking about low light capabilities of the DVX...

I also saw that the gamma curve (for the same gamma setting, say, cinelike for example) is not the same when you use interlace vs progressive.

the interlace gamma curve is much much more linear. It much easyer to have a sunny area and a shadowed area in the same frame in interlace mode. BETTER DYNAMIC from whites to blacks.
try it, the difference is not subtle at all.

that's exactly why i was suggesting using the "high" gamma setting when shooting in progressive 24p mode. It helps a lot. and it also helps a lot to improve low light capibilities without using the gain !

try it just for fun.

There are tons of "underated" settings in this wonderfull camera.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Barry let me ask you. You seem to have mucho experience with the anamorphic adapter. If you were going to direct a feature..let's say nothing to dramatic..more like a comedy. with 50% day and night shots. And you have only 21 days to shoot the thing. And your intent is to have the film at some of the major festivals so a film out would be necessary. Would you without question, use the adapter?
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

If a film out was necessary, I'd shoot on film, no question. If your goal is to end up on film, it will cost about the same, but look much better, to have shot on film in the first place (I say this as someone who has transferred DVX footage to film, as well as having shot film). If you KNOW you're going to go to a film print, it's a false economy to shoot on the DVX: shoot film instead.

(But I know that's not the question you're asking. Still, consider it carefully).

Okay, back to the question: with 21 days to shoot, and a definite film transfer in mind, then yes, I would definitely use the anamorphic, no question about it.

Interesting you ask at this time, as I am in the process of prepping for a small indie thriller that will have a 12-day shooting schedule and likely no prayer of going to film (just direct-to-video) and I'm struggling with the issue of whether to use the adapter or not. I just don't think I'll have enough time, 12 days is obscenely short (it's like 8 pages a day!) Fiddling with lighting to make sure the f-stop is in the appropriate range, etc., will probably slow us down too much to get 8 pages shot per day, and for a home-video release we may not *need* the extra resolution (but I sure do want it!)

But for you, with 21 days, you're talking an almost four-week shoot schedule (taking at least one day off a week, of course, 'cause if you don't you'll all kill each other) so that's plenty of time to deal with the issues the adapter imposes. And for a film transfer, you will really want that extra 30%!

I've spent a lot of time with the adapter recently, trying to answer these questions. I have learned a lot, including some incredibly useful techniques to get proper focus even without a monitor, etc. I am considering writing an end-all, be-all book to the adapter that will answer (hopefully) everyone's questions, and include some of the tools & techniques I've come up with. We might sell it through the DVXUSER.COM online store. I would consider it mandatory for anyone who has the adapter, or anyone who is considering buying the adapter -- they could answer their questions with a $10 guide instead of spending $850 on the adapter and then finding out their shooting style would be incompatible with it.

Would there be much appetite for a guide like that?
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Sign me up for a copy. and judging from the amount of time you spend answering anamorphic/squeeze/letterbox related questions around here, there are plenty of other folks who would value the info.

Now, can we have it complete by the end of next week? I am on a schedule here, Barry. ;D

Great idea, sir.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Write it fast, Barry. I want to be able to use it on a shoot I got in Sept.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Barry,

If you also could include the anamorphic focus chart for the DVX100A...
I dont know if it is the same as the one for the original DVX100 because the minimum distance for max telephoto is shorter with the DVX100A.
Based on some tests i did,  it seems that Adam Wilt's focus chart is conservative for the DVX100A with anamorphic adaptaptor.
I could "push" a little wider on the aperture without beeing out of focus...BUT...i dont have the patience to write the complete chart for the DVX100A though, it is quite time consuming...

...so count me in if it covers the anamorphic with the DVX100A.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I'm working on it now. But, you guys know how wordy I get... darn thing'll probably run 20 pages! (it's already at 7, but I do so hope to get it trimmed down to just the useful stuff).

The DVX100 and DVX100A focus charts are, as near as I can tell, the same, but the 100A adds 13 new points at closer distances (the 100 stops at minimum focus distance of 50, whereas the 100A goes down to 37, doesn't it?) Other than that I believe they're the same. I'll get ahold of a 100A and test it all before I'm done.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Hey,

That is a great idea. I would buy one.

But writing is not that easy. So, don't you guys expect something so soon. Cause Barry is going to go through some hard time.

I am talking from my own experience on writing manuals.

All the best

Fidel.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Yes the guide will be very usefull.. and knowing Barry it's gonna be bang on.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

First draft went out to review last night. Today I'm working on fine-tuning the charts and stuff and waiting for comments from reviewers. Dang thing's 17 pages -- how can you write 17 pages on one accessory? ;) I'm also waiting for delivery of a solution that may help with using 4x4 filters with the adapter, I'd like that to show up so I can conduct my own test before declaring that it's a viable solution.

So, early next week for sure...
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Defiantly write the info about using it with the 4x4 filter. What kind of stuff are you including? How to use focus charts, how to shave off the lens shade for the anamorphic, etc... I shaved off mine, but had to ask. If you haven't gotten that in there you might want to include that for anyone trying to use the Chrosziel matte box. If you decide to write that you better put some disclaimers in it, though. Also how much do you think it will cost us? Is it going to be a .pdf file similar to the Steve Mullens guide? Thanks for doing this. It should prove to be a valuable tool.
 
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