Please help before I continue seriously recording with Panasonic AF101

K

kyriakides

Member
Do you think that look is acceptable for the big screen? That is my first try with the Pan AF101. No colour grading. That is AVCHD codec. I have the Atomos Ninja now to use but have not try it yet.

Here is the link http://www.vimeo.com/29395998

Thanking you in advance

Costas Kyriakides
 
It seemed okay. I don't know about the big screen if you mean in terms of resolution. In terms of the footage itself (ie: the shots and general feel of the clips) it was fine. A couple of the shots (such as at 0.25) seemed to be very uncontrasty. Maybe a mattebox might have helped to cut out some of the light? Other than that, it was good. Music was great, and the beach scenes at the end were the best. Great shots around the fire.
 
FWIW i thought many of the shots we too flat. i'd crush the blacks a bit and give it a bit more saturation.
 
All the shots with the couple in front of the water were a bit under exposed as most of the screen was the foreground.
 
Thanks Evanrm for your answer. The scene from 0.25 is taken with lens which it is not good enough and I decided to not use it any more. The same lens was used for few more scenes and masnart and you notice that. Of course I will not like to crush my blacks as masnart suggest but this is a matter of taste. All the film I made it was a test for me so I have chosen a look at my scene file and that was the reason I ask for help from you. Lets say the starting and finishing of the film was shot with 105f2 Nikor and 25f0.95 noktor respectively - can I know if that is acceptable ie grain-noise and for David which I thank for his answer, we all know that theatrical projection is 2k almost everywhere and panasonic HD file is just 6% less than that.
 
I'd recommend color correcting your footage to normalize it to a consistent look before you edit. To my eyes, fades and transitions look much better when color balance is matched before the clips are edited together. Your black level is inconsistent, gamma is too bright, and contrast is too low to convey a sense of romance. Unless it's for a music video, I'd EQ the soundtrack to tone down the percussion and soften the mood.
 
In terms of PQ, it's alright. I personally would say that better camera movement (steadycam, dolly, crane, etc.) would be a huge boost to your framing and overall feel. I don't think what you have is poor, but it feels like they are ALL static shots. Lighting could use some more help as well. Either add some light reinforcement, or at least start bouncing light. The shots at 13-24sec are telling. First, they are under exposed, get more light on them! Or at least get some shadowing going on or something. Second, I would recommend considering using a polarizer. I think in shots such as this is saves your highlights very significantly by cutting the glare from the water. After trying one, I pretty much never shoot outdoors without a polarizer. ESPECIALLY when not in "golden hour". Footage itself in terms of AVCHD quality and AF quality, I think it's all good!
 
Use grading. It will chang the entire "feel" of your work. Also, I agree with crushing the blacks, it was too flat but the beack scenes at the end were much better. I also shoot outdoors with a circular polorized filter almost 100% of the time. With wide horizon and beach shots, also try a UV filter to remove haze.
 
Kindredmachine said:
Use grading. It will chang the entire "feel" of your work. Also, I agree with crushing the blacks, it was too flat but the beack scenes at the end were much better. I also shoot outdoors with a circular polorized filter almost 100% of the time. With wide horizon and beach shots, also try a UV filter to remove haze.
Click to expand...
Sick. I totally forgot that using the AF100, i don't have a UV on! Used to shooting with our HPX170's and a UV filter is a given. Sometimes, it's so easy to overlook the simple things!
 
Ive done tests where we blow up to 35mm... The image resolution is fine for a big screen release. I think what you need to take care of, is color grading and camera movement. The reason your footage may and I do say again MAY not look like footage from a feature film, is the camera movement. They are all done in a tripod and practically still shots... move around a bit and I say you got no problem sending that to a big screen.
 
Thank you people,

It is all help full. I know David meant, to show your film at big screen needs more than quality and resolution but as I made it for test for my scene file I only ask if that setting I am using it is good enough to continue using it. I also realize that quality lens have better contrast.
 
I think the key is practice and finding your own style. Yes, there were lots of static shots, and some of the scenes lacked contrast etc, but given your thread was titled "Please-help-before-I-continue-seriously-recording-with-Panasonic-AF101", I'd say you should keep filming and keep filming and keep filming. I though it was okay for a first go (or even a second go). The music was great, and you more or less got a reasonable feel for the mood. Of course your first attempts (and mine as well) aren't going to be great, or necessarily cinematic, but you'll get better and better as you find your own sweet spot. And even if you end up sucking the whole way through, who cares? I'd rather create first and then worry about the lack of cinematic quality.

Now, if you're filming for a client (paying or otherwise) or trying to make a name for yourself in a commercial or artistic sense, that's a different story.
 
Thanks Evanrm,

My goal is to have proper scene file for creating my second short film. As understand the look is okay and as said here I must be more carefully at post production and show some more movements with my steadycam. Coming from Canon 5d mark2 I am worry a bit to handheld the camera but lets try it. Looking forward to try all these.

Thanks again to everyone here who help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top