Using EX1 as b-cam with Varicam 2700

[Peter Richardson]

Hey guys,

I have a project that I'm shooting primarily on the Varicam 2700. In certain situations, however, I need a smaller camera, and after some preliminary testing it looks like the Ex1 has the best shot of looking like the Varicam (for a smaller camera, of course). I've been playing around with the Paint menu on the EX1 to get it to look as much like the FilmRec on the Varicam as possible, which is going pretty well.

The question I have is this: The whole show is 720 24pn, but I'm wondering if I should shoot the Ex1 at 720 or 1080. I'm not worried about post workflow -- just want the best image quality. If I shot 1080 it would eventually get downconverted to 720, so I'm not sure that there's really anything to be gained by shooting 720, and I guess in theory by shooting 720 instead of 1080 there should be less compression, though I know the EX is very good in this respect.

Anyway, if anyone has any advice regarding resolution, and paint settings, that would be great.

Thanks!

Peter

 

[Buck Forester]

If I were shooting a Varicam and mixing footage, I'd stick with one of the Panasonic smaller cameras, like the HVX200a or the HPX170. I would think they'd mix better, plus the media is the same, why invest in both P2 and SxS? But that's just me. The EX1 is definitely awesome.

 

[Peter Richardson]

If I were shooting a Varicam and mixing footage, I'd stick with one of the Panasonic smaller cameras, like the HVX200a or the HPX170. I would think they'd mix better, plus the media is the same, why invest in both P2 and SxS? But that's just me. The EX1 is definitely awesome.

That was the original plan, but after testing the HPX170 vs. the EX1 it was clear that the EX1 was going to get the closest to the Varicam in terms of resolution, noise, and latitude.

 

[Buck Forester]

Ahhh... very cool. I've never used the Varicam or the HVX/HPX so I was just 'assuming' they'd work best together as a team. I should know better than to 'assume'. I wish I could help you with the profile settings and resolution recommendations between the two.

 

[Shipsides]

Hey Peter

I would shoot the EX1 in 1080p for sure. It will have to be downconverted but because you are mixing codecs anyway this won't cause any more rendering time. Also the EX1 in 720p mode would be much more destructive to your image.

Matching the two cameras won't be exact but I think you can get pretty close. You won't be able to match FilmRec gamma so if you want it be as close as possible you'll have to adjust both cameras and meet in the middle.

Andy

 

[GuyB]

... I was just 'assuming' they'd work best together as a team. I should know better than to 'assume'.....

remember that old saying? Don't assume as it will make an ASS out of U and ME (ASS U ME). Not that an old saying stops any of us from making a horses posterior out of ourselves on occasion...