Quick Questions Before I Beign Production

C

CriddleGrip

Member
EDIT- *BEGIN

Hey everyone! In two weeks I begin production on my short. Before I do so, I just wanted to get your input/ suggestions before I do so. The following problems/ questions are organized by various headings. Feel free to answer as many as you can. Thanks in advanced.

CANON CONSOLE

- Is the running Canon Console on a Laptop a sufficient replacement for an external LCD monitor? When using the laptop for pulling focus (outside) I think I might run into some trouble seeing the Laptop screen... Any recommendations for that?

LIGHTING/ PRESETS

- I want my footage to have a drab sort of look (foggy/overcast), but I will not be able to ensure that nature will be on my side the day I shoot. Therefore, I would like to utilize some color preset on the camera so that I will be able achieve this look. (I know you guys debate over presets vs post cc, but if I decide to go with the presets over post cc, I would like to have one on board just in case.) Does anyone have such a preset that they would be willing to share? BUt in the event that I choose to go with post CC, can anyone share their experience of obtaining said "look" in post. (I'm using Adobe premiere.)

-If I use a sun diffuser and large aperture, will I be able to transform a sunny day into a overcast day?

- Right now, all I have on my lens is a uv protection glass... Do you guys recommend using a polarized filter as well? or is it not worth it?

- When shooting outside, I often find myself having the background blown out.... If I use a large aperture and light my subject with portable lights, will I be able to gain some detail from the background?

-Can someone explain canon's sky detail function? And whether or not this function will be applicable to my needs?

I know some of these questions should be addressed in the lighting portion of the forum, but I am using an XH-A1 and I was wondering if you guys could possibly give me some biased advice based on your personal and similar experience using the camera.
 
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I don't have problems focusing when hooked up to a laptop, though I usually work with a delay and I'm completely immovable. For bright days, bring a black blanket or sheet.

- I don't know about presets myself.

- I just went out now with my A1, 1/32 built in ND, and narrowed the aperture to probably about f/6.2, and sped up the framerate to 1/90. This is how I could get it looking just by that. http://img.peterslake.com/ndfilter1.png
Doesn't look drab because of the color, but if you had a yellow filter (I think), and of course shot without the sky in the frame, it might work out. Probably not.

- If you're going for a drab look, I think think a polarizer is necessary. It's all about the look if you ask me.

- If you're able to put a lot of light on your subject, then go for a narrow aperture like f/6.2, then you'll get a lot more color out of your background. For example, when shooting indoors with bright windows looking outside, if you don't shine a lot of light inside, making it extremely bright, then your windows will be overblown white. Shine some light, get the room brighter than you'd ever want to be near when not using a camera, and you'll get your color outside. I have two halogens blasting in the room in this grab: http://img.peterslake.com/shuretest1.png

-If you want a pretty blue sky with some vibrance, the sky function might help. I've never seen it in action, just promos from canon.
 
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