theatrical viewing

D

DvGuru

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I will be making my first short on the dvx-100a this summer. I want the highest resolution possible. Should I shoot 4:3 or with the 16:9 anamorphic adapter to achieve the best look on a theater screen?

Since I'm sending the movie out to festivals I want to make the right decision before I start filming.

Thanks
 
Re: theatrical viewing

i would suggest only using the 16:9 adapter if you have a quality video monitor that supports 16:9. the adapter tends to be a little tricky to focus accurately. if you have access to this sort of monitor, test out the quality of the dvx100a squeeze mode before you shell out the $700 bucks for the adapter.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't I be losing resolution with squeeze mode? Also, is it necessary to shoot 16:9 to show on a big screen? Would I run into problems getting into festivals if I shoot 4:3?
 
Re: theatrical viewing

The adapter can deliver much higher resolution, but it takes a lot of work and meticulous planning to get the most from it. Follow jmproductions13's advice, and search elsewhere, this subject has been discussed a lot.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

the problem with the question of 'will it get into festivals' is it's very dependent on what festival you are refering to.

i'd say that content will always superceed quality of image. no amount of technical fidelity will make up for it, while almost all can be forgiven if the content is captivating.

now as for stretch, i've heard from many people that it's very bad for DV to Film blowups. i'd letterbox or go get an ANi, for my project i have no choice, because of how much mini35 sets up.

gotta go letterbox.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

You definitely won't run into any problems getting into a festival, having shot 4:3. Festivals will broadcast 4:3 or 16:9, no problem.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

I"ll probably just shoot 4:3. I want the highest resolution, but I'm not to keen on the limitations of the anamorphic.

Any word on the Century Optics 16:9 adapter? Is it supposed to be better than the panasonic?
 
Re: theatrical viewing

At the targeted price point of $2,000 it will need to be a lot better. Given Century's history (and its parent company, Schneider Optics) I don't doubt that it would be a great product. But there is no timeframe as to when it may come out.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

Are u planning to do a DV to film transfer? In that case it is definitly better to use 16:9 adapter from Panasonic. I have seen the difference on 35mm screen, its worth the investment. By the way did anyone try any other lence adapters along with the 16:9? being in India i am not able to get a hand on these adapters(wide angle,Fish-eye,Tele etc.) to do a test.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

Thanks a tone barry. It saved a lot of money for me. I was actually trying to get one fish eye lens through some friends in USA. Long live DVXusrers.com !!!
 
Re: theatrical viewing

You could use the fisheye, OR the anamorphic, OR the telephoto, but you can't use any of them in combination with any others.

And, the anamorphic acts as a quite wide-angle adapter anyway, so once you have the anamorphic you will probably never need any sort of wide-angle adapter when you have the anamorphic installed.
 
Re: theatrical viewing


I have the anamorphic lense since 1 month now and it stays always on the camera.

I can now easyly point and shoot if i follow certain "safety rules".

ex: iris locked at f5.6, zoom from 0 to 90, never had a single focus problem ! Great lense !  ...some barrel effect from zoom 0 to 10.
if i lock the iris at f8, then i can use the entire zoom range.

for really closeup short distance shots, i'm waiting for Barry's focus chart.


Barry, what would be the best way (lightweight and very portable) to use filters in front of the anamorphic lense ?
 
Re: theatrical viewing

I discuss various filter options in the guide, so you'll have to see which is the "best". For lightweight and very portable, probably the easiest way would be to get some Lee resin filters and wedge 'em in the lens hood of the adapter. If they don't fit (I couldn't get a glass one to fit in mine, it was just a *tiny* bit too big), you could trim the edges of the resin to get 'em in there. Neil Rowe (IAL) recommends making a velcro retaining strip to keep 'em in place, which sounds like a dandy idea.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

:) i actually have a set of Lee brand Nds... although they are cheap and in front of the glass, they do a good job, and i cant really notice any image deterioration from them. also they are a little smaller than most 4x4s.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

Slightly smaller? That may make them even more appropriate for the anamorphic.

I've only heard good things about Lee filters, so this might be a good option for anamorphic users.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

smaller than my polarizer at least.. only a hair or so though. they are pretty nice.. i cant really tell the difference between them and the internal nds as long as they are shaded by the mattebox well.
but i always worry that i will bend one, or crease it somehow,, since they are so flimsy, and thin. its like working with a piece of crepe paper or something.. well, not that bad but you know what i mean.. :P i keep them in the box with the separators they came in at all times when not on the cam.
 
Re: theatrical viewing

Well, let me clarify: Lee makes two types of filters, Resin and Polyester. I've heard good things about the RESIN filters, which are of course more expensive than the polyesters. I think the resin filters are more susceptible to scratching, the polyesters are more durable, but the resins are optically superior to the polyesters.

I assume you're talking about the resin filters?
 
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