Shutter speeds

G

Grabthar

New member
Hey gang,

I'm a camera operator out of LA and use the DVX quite extensively. Most of the work I shoot are interviews and b-roll shoots and host wraps set at 60fps and 1/60 of a frame. However, I will be shooting a short film soon in 24pa and want to experiment with the shutter speeds. Anybody done this and have any opinions on what they think gives the best look? Thanks!
 
Re: Shutter speeds

Well, the standard shutter speed for 35mm film is 1/48. The DVX automatically sets your shutter to 1/50, which is so close that nobody will tell the difference, but if you want (as I've done) you can manually change it to 1/48.

Basically, a shutter speed double your frame rate tends to be what looks the most "normal".
 
Re: Shutter speeds

Man, "best look" can mean so many different things, depending on what you're shooting, under what conditions, personal taste, and what you're trying to achieve.

You want a staccato effect? Go for a very high shutter speed -- but remember that you'll have to open the iris wider. Want a dreamy, fluid look, especially in lower light? Go for 1/24. There's no magix formula or "best look." There's what you want and what you're happy with.
 
Re: Shutter speeds

Just so I know I'm on the same page, when you say you adjust the shutter manually, you're talking about using the synchro scan feature in the menu and doing it from there correct? Thanks for the help.
 
Re: Shutter speeds

The syncro scan is something somewhat related, but for a very different purpose. That's to match the scan rate of TVs or CRTs you might be shooting.

There's a "shutter speed" button on the side of the cam.
 
Re: Shutter speeds

[quote author=Mike_Donis link=board=news;num=1085521172;start=0#1 date=05/25/04 at 18:14:48]Well, the standard shutter speed for 35mm film is 1/48.  [/quote]

I had this doofus arguing with me last month that because the shutter speed is normally 1/48, film is "actually" 48fps. I just couldn't convince the guy that they're separate concepts. His be-all, end-all response? "I work in theatre; I know." He meant live theatre, too. (He's an ACK-Tohr.)
 
Re: Shutter speeds

I hear ya David. I know you can change the shutter with the button on the side, but I was just thinking about tinkering with the synchro scan switch as well since it adjusts the shutter at smaller increments. What do you think? Is it too small of a thing to notice. I like the look of 1/24 and 1/50 and anything above 1/100 since it gives it that staccato look you mentioned. That look suits certain "action" moments well I've noticed.
 
Re: Shutter speeds

Most multi-camera sporting events use a fast shutter on their "chase" cameras for effect.

This effect can be seen on the replays of cameras shooting on longer focal lengths.

FWIW, on most sports you have cameras with the following labels:

"game": This is the main wide shot set up high and near the center of the court or field that is on 75% of the time.

"chase": Usually set up beside the game camera, but shoots 'tight' shots of whoever is controlling the ball or puck. If that player loses posession, then this camera "chases" whoever gets posession next. This is a primary camera recorded for immediate playback.

"slash": Set up high on a corner of the field/court, this camera position gets a good mix of shots that lie somewhere between game and chase camera positions. The producer will usually have this camera operate as game camera for a change up and sometimes they will shoot tight if there is a good battle or something interesting happening.

The action of the event will dictate what cameras shoot what. After working on several games together everyone just automatically knows what shot to get and when.

Game, Chase, and Slash positions are on tripods with big box lenses that are at least 50X and go more than 100X depending on the live truck you are working with - all equipment resides on the truck.

"handheld": I don't think I need to explain this one, but they are usually nearest to the action... just on the perimeter of the court or field. They also serve double-duty by shooting all the talent stand-ups, intros, halftime updates, etc.

The budget for the event will determine the number of cameras used. Most of the football, basketball, soccer, baseball games I work on have at least four cameras. Usually there are five or more.

It's not as many as the Superbowl, but...
 
Re: Shutter speeds

Grabthar,

love your Avatar, reminds me of Milkman Dan from Red Meat!

www.redmeat.com

You can simulate a 90 degree and 45 degree shutter speed with the following settings with Syncro Scan:

90= 1/96
45= 1/192
 
Re: Shutter speeds

DPwanab - holy sh*t! It's V.I.N.Cent! Blast from the past...

As for shutter speeds, I've heard that a higher shutter speed will make it easier for post-production software such as chroma keyers and the like to operate as there will be less motion blur. Can anyone confirm?

Where is a good break-even point between "too choppy" and "good for keying?"
 
Re: Shutter speeds

technically you would get better keys, because if your shutter speed was so high that you couldnt notice any motion blur, then there would be no problems with the edge of your composite's keying.

In general, though, with good lighting, you can pull pretty good mattes anyways, witha shutter of 1/48. And I'm pretty sure that's what the pros use, too (for 'normal' footage).


Although, I think that back in the days of optical compositing, they used higher shutter speeds for this reason...watch older movies with bluescreen effects, and you'll see what I'm talking about. I always figured that was the reason why.

With digital compositing these days, though, you can easily blur and choke your mattes, and with a well-lit shot, can key pretty effectively.
 
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