Test footage - with Brevis

M

Mirezzi

Well-known member
Well, this is a really paltry test. I was rushing through the motions, didn't white balance (d'oh!), I used the A1's ND at 1/6th which most people would probably not recommend doing. It was 2pm and the sun was raging hot and I have no mattebox or ND filters right now.

I will return later when I've actually spent time on something a little less sloppy, but for now, this is what I was able to come up with.

These stills were just exported using quicktime conversion from FCP. If there's a better way of doing this, I don't know of it.

50mm.jpg

50mm F1.8 Nikkor (noticeable CA) - wide open (A1 @ 6.2)

85mm.jpg

85mm Nikkor F2 - wide open (A1 @6.2)

85mm2.jpg

85mm Nikkor F2 - wide open (A1 @6.2)

85mm3.jpg

85mm Nikkor F2 - wide open (A1 @6.2)

135mm.jpg

135mm Vivitar F2.8 - wide open (A1 @6.2)

135mm2.jpg

135mm Vivitar F2.8 - wide open (A1 @6.2)

135mm3.jpg

135mm Vivitar F2.8 - wide open (A1 @6.2)
 
cool, congrats on the purchase,

me thinks the CA would be lessened if you just stepped your camera down a bit? but as you said, you were not shooting at a good time of day.
 
Yeah, I think you're right. All the lenses used for this particular shoot, with the exception of the 85mm F2, are pretty cheap and low quality.

I have a Nikkor 50mm F1.4 and Nikkor 105mm 2.5 Macro but I left them at home. I've noticed CA on my 50mm, too, but I'd imaging stopping down to 2.8 or 4.0 would help a bit. Too much contrast induces CA greatly.

I'm also curious if anybody has experience using the A1's built-in ND with 35mm adapters. It seems like a silly thing to do, but it was honestly one of the only ways I could think to achieve an image that wasn't blown out.

This is all very preliminary though, I have barely begun experimenting with and configuring the Brevis.
 
Mirezzi said:
I'm also curious if anybody has experience using the A1's built-in ND with 35mm adapters. It seems like a silly thing to do, but it was honestly one of the only ways I could think to achieve an image that wasn't blown out.
Click to expand...

i have used the built-in nd several times in combination with 35mm adapter - no problems.
 
Need some help...
I noticed you used h264 QuicTime for this footage. I cant seem to get the settings right.

Do you make an avi or dvavi."then" import into QuickTime Pro to make the h264 mov? Please send me you settings for h264

thanks,
Jeff
 
You need MPEG Streamclip, you can download it here:

http://www.squared5.com

Once you have it installed, let me know and I'll give you the settings I use, most of which are borrowed from the esteemed Barlow Elton.
 
looks really great! thanks for slating the clips.

i am really loving the look you are getting! (although your girlfriend is much easier on the eyes than that guy - congrats on that too!)
 
Oynk said:
looks really great! thanks for slating the clips.

i am really loving the look you are getting! (although your girlfriend is much easier on the eyes than that guy - congrats on that too!)
Click to expand...

haha, thanks, that guy is me, actually, but don't worry...I realize I'm a toad compared to my girlfriend...:D

downsouth - here are some grabs from MPEG Streamclip, let me know if anything doesn't make sense.

mpegstreamclip2.jpg


mpegstreamclip1.jpg
 
Thanks Mirezzi...

I tried the download url...but wouldnt work. I will do a google on it.

I appreciate your help.
Jeff
 
You tried what download URL? From Squared 5? I just used their download links, they work fine. You on a Mac?
 
Mirezzi said:
You tried what download URL? From Squared 5? I just used their download links, they work fine. You on a Mac?
Click to expand...

No a pc...got the program though on "another" link. Using it as I type.I use PP1.5. Do you just make a uncompressed avi file first...then use Mpeg Streamclip? Im using the H264 codec...is there one that's better?Jeff
 
I've only used the H264 codec for down-rezing to 720p, but I think DIVX is a good one, too. It's just not as common as Quicktime.

I use Final Cut Pro and I just export the uncompressed FCP Quicktime Movie and import it into MPEG Streamclip.
 
Mirezzi said:
I've only used the H264 codec for down-rezing to 720p, but I think DIVX is a good one, too. It's just not as common as Quicktime.

I use Final Cut Pro and I just export the uncompressed FCP Quicktime Movie and import it into MPEG Streamclip.
Click to expand...

Cool...thanks a million.Jeff
 
Mirezzi said:
haha, thanks, that guy is me, actually, but don't worry...I realize I'm a toad compared to my girlfriend...:D
Click to expand...

Thanks for being so helpful. I am in 'deep research mode' and your footage is really influencing my decision.

A little off topic...

I was thinking about the HVX, but having seen your footage and the 'Beatbox' video, I am leaning towards the A1. My thinking is that if I get a firestore I will still have a tapeless workflow - but way more storage. Also, I could then afford to get a 35mm adaptor. Then, the only thing I would be missing is variable frames rates, which are cool, but ultimately not that important.

Have you tried slow-mo on any of your footage? Are you happy with the results?

Thanks

M
 
Oynk said:
Thanks for being so helpful. I am in 'deep research mode' and your footage is really influencing my decision.
Click to expand...

I know where you're at...it was the initial footage posted by Noel Evans, Barlow Elton, and Steven Dempsey back in January that had me going, "uhhh the A1 kicks ass."

Oynk said:
I was thinking about the HVX, but having seen your footage and the 'Beatbox' video, I am leaning towards the A1. My thinking is that if I get a firestore I will still have a tapeless workflow - but way more storage. Also, I could then afford to get a 35mm adaptor. Then, the only thing I would be missing is variable frames rates, which are cool, but ultimately not that important.

Have you tried slow-mo on any of your footage? Are you happy with the results?

Thanks

M
Click to expand...

I tend to feel the same way about variable framerates. You can accomplish very good slow motion, ramping, etc. with A1 footage thanks to software like Nattress/Twixtor.

Keep in mind, if you buy a 35mm adaptor, you're pretty much locked in to buying a video tap like the Marshall, which is where the whole prospect gets truly expensive. I couldn't imagine buying an HVX, a couple P2 cards, a 35mm adaptor, a couple primes AND a Marshall...that's more money than I paid for my condo.

Here are a couple links to footage of slow motion stuff done with the A1:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=95347

Here is a clip that was posted by Barlow Elton a few months ago. I couldn't find the thread, so I just uploaded it to MediaFire.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8d1y9ebkwee

That's plenty good enough SlowMo for me. :D
 
Mirezzi said:
That's plenty good enough SlowMo for me. :D
Click to expand...

Great examples. Thanks.

I will look into the Marshall monitor. Are you saying you need it for the 'flip' issue or for focus?

Also did you have a reason for picking the Brevis over the Letus or other adapters?

By the way, there will be an end to these seemingly endless questions. I am going to EVS tomorrow to look at some setups. As soon as I grab a camera (most likely the A1) I will be happy to post videos of my girlfriend too. :grin:
 
With our upcoming flip module the Brevis (or any other adapter) will have a flip option. I'd still get an external monitor regardless...and the new Nebtek is worth a look.
 
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