Please advise me on the best way to test my lighting, DVX100 or Digital Rebel.

T

TheJackyl

Active member
Hi, I am new to lighting but very interested in cinematography. I want to improve my skills and learn about lighting in the process, I have a DVX100A to work with. I understand that the DVX has restrictions due to miniDV like the 4:1:1 that degrade the captured image plus things like resolution. Since I am going to be initially shooting on the DVX I'd like to see my lighting on the camera for sure, however, I was wondering IF using a Canon Digital Rebel XT would be helpful to view lighting setups and changes? Would the images from the Digi Rebel better represent my lighting if I were to use a better camera such as a varicam or cinalta, or even film??? I not saying it would be the same, but woul it be a better resource than the DVX for viewing my actually skill in cinematography? I'm supposed to light the same for both cameras...correct? Any help would be so great, thanks a lot.
 
I don't think the way that the DVX records color (4:1:1) matters too much when you are testing lighting. The main thing in my mind would be the dynamic range of the DVX, which is limited. I would say set up your DVX and test lighting with that, and then when/if you do move to a Varicam or one of Sony's HD cams (a Cinealta is not a camera), you will be able to light well for video already and have more room to work with latitude wise.
 
Would you say it is easier to light well if you have a higher dynamic range? If i make something I care about I'm interested in using a higher quality camera, maybe this one : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...SOHDWF900R&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=431877 , could you explain what you mean by Cinealta is not a camera? is it a line of camera? But in the meantime id like to practice as much as I can so when I have my hands on higher end equipment I will have a skillset to use. I plan to use my DVX for all lighting tests, but would the digital rebel, or another still camera (name?), be more useful to accurately capture more information about the lighting, such as dynamic range, would this information be more similar to what a higher end camera(varicam) would capture?
 
Without seeing stills from something like the Sony F900 and the Rebel next to each other, I couldn't tell you if they are close in dynamic range.

And yes, Cinealta is a range of Sony HD cameras, not one specific model.
 
You have to light for a given medium so it would not make much sense to do lighting tests with your SLR if the intended results are to be shot on a DVX100. I've used a digital camera before just to snap quick references of a location to mess around in Photoshop to communicate a look to a director but it's only for reference. The way you have to light is going to vary depending on the medium - less or more fill, key light levels, highlight range, etc, etc...

BennisHahn makes a good point as well in that comparing a SonyF900 to a Rebel is probably like comparing apples and oranges. Learn to light by eye, learn the tools and learn to trust your instincts and adjust for each medium..
 
If you are shooting film Kodak has the Kodak Look Manager, which uses digital SLR to pre-vis 35mm with different filters, stocks, etc.

Again not a handy dvx tool just yet.
 
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