Using a FF for zooming?

Ian Slessor

Ian Slessor

Well-known member
Hope I don't get spanked for this question.

I shoot events (dance recitals, figure skating, bands, etc) and use Varizoom controllers on my DVXb cams.

If I were to switch to the GH1 (and that's still up in the air) would I be able to use a FF for zoom and let the auto focus handle the rest?

Additionally I rely on the DVX zebras for exposure so what's the best means to guide exposure with the GH1?

Thanks for any assistance you are able to provide.

And if you have to spank...be gentle. :cheesy:

ian
 
If you wanted to use autofocus I see no reason why you couldn't use the zoom with a followfocus. The question to ask would it make the platform more stable? i'd say yes. secondly do you need a really good follow focus? probably not.
 
Hey Ben,

"We meet again." (in a deep, ominous voice)

Heh.

Thanks for the info.

I know it seems like I'm hammering away at this GH1 thing but I really like what I'm seeing. Recently saw a sweet sample of some concert footage (slightly overexposed, but still worked) from about 60 feet from the stage and it really appealled to me and let me know the GH1 is a viable event camera...plus the added bonus of stills!

Just gotta work out smooth zooms. :D

sincerely,



ian
 
Ben_B said:
Do you have a link to that footage, that'd be awesome!
Click to expand...

Sure!

Direct link to .mts footage

EDIT* Apparently this footage (8 seconds in all) was shot handheld AND at the long end of the zoom of the lens. Looks damned good.*EDIT

I've watched it on my 57" Hitachi RPTV via my PS3 and it looks pretty good. Not stellar but certainly on par, if a touch overexposed (to my eyes), to my DVX cams, but HD, of course. :)

The entire review, it is extensive AND from a digital photography perspective, can be found here.

sincerely,


ian
 
Last edited:
I've seen follow focus rigs being used on zooms so it should be entirely doable. You might want to use a snap-on mattebox / sunshade in that situation though as the 14-140 zoom has quite a long throw.

The autofocus have a tendency to breath during quick zooms but haven't checked how it behaves with slow ones - I only zoom during a take to re-frame and cut out the actual zoom part.
 
Thanks Martti,

I use slow to medium zooms to add more motion as I'm following a dancer/skater or to widen/move in on the shot.

I'm thinking a Cokin hood, maybe with the slots for filters, unless the end of the lens rotates during focusing...or am I just showing my ignorance of still lens principles? heh.

The price is right anyway.

sincerely,


ian
 
I do in fact use a Cokin holder for my NDs and the front doesn't turn when either focusing or zooming - actually it only turns when I'm drunk but then everything turns with it.

You might want to check out Formatts Hitech alternative, it's lens holder is in metal and has a rotating front for polarizers. I wish I had known about them before I kitted up with Cokin holders and ring adapters. Filters should fit though and they have more dense NDs than Cokin. In broad sunlight I have to use two - two! - ND8s to get 1/50 shutter and 2.8 aperture.
http://www.formatt.co.uk/stills-filters/products.aspx

As for zebras, no, GH1 don't have them but the live histogram is even more useful for judging exposure imo. (I've always found zebras really distracting.) As soon as you stop a take it does indicate overexposed parts on playback though so it's a quick test to shoot 5 sec and have a short auto playback active to judge. BTW blown-out whites do roll off very different from standard video cams, overexposure actually looks nice. I have no fear of shooting straight into lights or even the sun.
 
I've used a FF as a zoom controller before on national spots. It's a great way to slip in to that slow "sneak zoom" with exact control. I've never used it for a quick zoom though.
 
Man, now I know why I love these forums.

Loads of useful info.

Thanks Martti for the info on the filter holders. I'll check them out.

j? Good to know about the FF used for zooms. I rarely do fast zooms on my DVXb cams...unless it's a hiphop number the kids are doing then I'll do some crash zooms if I think it's going to work in post.

Otherwise? Sexy, slow zooms, especially on lyrical solos and group numbers. It adds...."gravitas" to the serious dance numbers that looks more pro than just chasing the kids around the stage. heh.

Funny thing is, I deliver in 16x9 SD, and it looks OK on the old 57" Hitachi RPTV, but I want to go HD, but...nobody's asking for it. Still, ahead of the curve at a reasonable price can be rewarding.

I guess it's all in the timing.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone.

sincerely,


ian
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
I do in fact use a Cokin holder for my NDs and the front doesn't turn when either focusing or zooming - actually it only turns when I'm drunk but then everything turns with it.
Click to expand...

Actually, there's a fairly easy mod for the Cokin holder to allow it to rotate. If I remember, you cut away a small notch and the ring will rotate.

Cheers,
 
The entire Cokin holder does rotate without a mod but sometimes I just want to rotate the polarizer. Per example when using a graduated ND.

Actually on the Cokin one can rotate just the polarizer - it's made that way but it sits so stiff in the holder that it's near impossible to do it quickly as both hands are needed. Doing it when handheld is impossible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top