So these days, can any camera be made to look like any other camera?
- Thread starter Josh Bass
- Start date
Chris Santucci
Veteran
Yes.
Moseph
Veteran
The only difference with these is that lower end cameras generally record to somewhat heavily compressed formats, making it a little harder to correct them. But if you shoot with this all in mind, you shouldn't run into too many issues, especially if you use one only for wide coverage and one for only close-up coverage.
Lighting setups are often deliberately changed when moving from a wide to a CU without any jarring difference being noticeable, so you can really get away with quite a bit.
j
Veteran
I'll be a dissenting opinion (along w/ cpc) from everyone else:
First of all, the OP wasn't asking about matching cameras, but rather emulation of looks.
And as far as the "Big Picture" goes, I'd say that all cameras have evolved up to a point where you can pretty much give any camera (in camera or in post) the treatment to make it have any other camera's "look". Granted, you'll get what you pay for, compression, DR, color space, but judging where the OP is coming from, in reality how close you can match makes the differences seem like minutiae. Cameras have come Soooooo far from where they were 10 or even 5 years ago. The differences then vs the differences now, I'd say that we are a lot closer to parity. I don't' think *anyone* will argue that the choice of DP or gaffer or colorist will make much more of a difference than any camera choice.
Just a different opinion and perspective.
First of all, the OP wasn't asking about matching cameras, but rather emulation of looks.
And as far as the "Big Picture" goes, I'd say that all cameras have evolved up to a point where you can pretty much give any camera (in camera or in post) the treatment to make it have any other camera's "look". Granted, you'll get what you pay for, compression, DR, color space, but judging where the OP is coming from, in reality how close you can match makes the differences seem like minutiae. Cameras have come Soooooo far from where they were 10 or even 5 years ago. The differences then vs the differences now, I'd say that we are a lot closer to parity. I don't' think *anyone* will argue that the choice of DP or gaffer or colorist will make much more of a difference than any camera choice.
Just a different opinion and perspective.
Shooter
Veteran
OK..I will offer another opinion...and I agree that the O.P was talking about "looks"from cameras.
I believe that cameras have "looks" and I am a fan of the Panasonic mojo.
I do not believe cameras can be matched for "looks".
I am also amazed how often this comes up but also understand this is essentially an "indie" forum.
With respect...real world professional level film making rarely uses different cameras unless intentionally for different "looks".
Rarely uses multiple cameras to shoot same scene with..unless they match and always a reason to shoot with more than one camera.
May use multiple cameras for stunt, effect, or pragmatic reason but generally...will match the cameras.
Often use multiple cameras A Cam, B Cam, C Cam etc... usually for different tasks ..not always same scene...often separate camera units...usually matched.
Of course...Film was film (film cameras) so the match up was generally easier to do than digital. eg same stock versus sensors etc.
Considering the above...not sure why indie shoots go for multiple mis matched cameras when cameras are so cheap and abundant.
Post is not entirely the solution IMHO.
I believe that cameras have "looks" and I am a fan of the Panasonic mojo.
I do not believe cameras can be matched for "looks".
I am also amazed how often this comes up but also understand this is essentially an "indie" forum.
With respect...real world professional level film making rarely uses different cameras unless intentionally for different "looks".
Rarely uses multiple cameras to shoot same scene with..unless they match and always a reason to shoot with more than one camera.
May use multiple cameras for stunt, effect, or pragmatic reason but generally...will match the cameras.
Often use multiple cameras A Cam, B Cam, C Cam etc... usually for different tasks ..not always same scene...often separate camera units...usually matched.
Of course...Film was film (film cameras) so the match up was generally easier to do than digital. eg same stock versus sensors etc.
Considering the above...not sure why indie shoots go for multiple mis matched cameras when cameras are so cheap and abundant.
Post is not entirely the solution IMHO.
I am. . . .the OP! DUN DUN DUN!
Yes, I meant matching cams, not stuff in post. What i mean, for example (and sorry, I know this has already been answered, more or less definitively, but just so we're clear on what I meant), is let's say you like the sharpness of the EX1. But you like the contrast/colors on the HPX170. Could you make your EX1 have those same color/contrast characteristics? I realize they have different chip sizes, but just speaking of color/contrast? The way the Alexa/Red comparison guy answered, it sounds like you'd probably be able to get it CLOSE, but not exact. Sorry for any confusion.
Yes, I meant matching cams, not stuff in post. What i mean, for example (and sorry, I know this has already been answered, more or less definitively, but just so we're clear on what I meant), is let's say you like the sharpness of the EX1. But you like the contrast/colors on the HPX170. Could you make your EX1 have those same color/contrast characteristics? I realize they have different chip sizes, but just speaking of color/contrast? The way the Alexa/Red comparison guy answered, it sounds like you'd probably be able to get it CLOSE, but not exact. Sorry for any confusion.