VR lenses for HPX300??

M

maheshshimpi

New member
Hi All,

Please bear with my long message. Need experts opinions on my problems.

I own a HPX300. Have used it for couple of short films and recently started using it for covering wedding videography. I have few questions. Apologies if any of these questions are repeats (would be glad to go to those discussion threads if anyone can point them to me)

1. Stability - a big issue. Especially for a fast paced event like wedding its hard to capture stable footage. I do mix of shoulder mount and tripod. Any recommendations for stabilizing the footage? (other than more practice)
e.g. Can I invest in a good VR lens? presume that will help me in some degree to capture smooth cam movements. Can someone recommend few good branded VR lenses that work with HPX300?

2. Low light capture another big issue. DJs in Wedding receptions like low light ambience topped with some hard focus lights and then with lots of disco lights to light up the dance floor. Adjusting camera quickly (master pedestal, gammas etc.) becomes difficult. Can some one please recommend me if there are prefix scene settings (other than what comes default with the camera)?

3. White balance - Since the ambience/colors change so fast, I have started keep white balance on ATW. Is it a good idea to do so?

4. I am finding HPX300 bit heavy for wedding coverages. Don't have much budget to buy another camera yet, but if I have to which one is recommended? Based on the last three wedding I shot my biggest problem is getting clean footage in low light (e.g. reception). Hence I am even ready to consider any non-Panasonic brand (e.g. AVCHD Sony FS100?)

5. Is there a monopod for HPX300? Capturing moments in a small spaced area becomes difficult with a tripod, while handheld does not really give a stable footage...so I think a good monopod will help. hence any suggestions?

6. Are there any good books that explain fundamentals in simple uncomplicated way? e.g. what are Gamma curves. How to correctly set one. What is detail coring (vertical/horizontal)? How does changing value of Y-get affects the pic quality? etc....

Appreciate if I can get some insights...

Thanks
Mahesh
PS: Objective - Stable & clean HD quality wedding footage (even in low lights)
 
Stability, Either shoot off the tripod or if on the shoulder stay wide and 'zoom with your feet' i.e get closer to the subject rather than zoom in. A zoom will magnify all of your movement. I don't know if such a thing as a VR lens like the ones you buy for DSLRS for a professional video camera exists. You can get gyro lenses but they are hugely expensive and more for helicopter shooting than off the shoulder. I use a monopod with a canon dslr and I love it, I think a monopod for a larger camera like this might be tricky as you need to mount the base plate onto it but it could work.

Low light is tricky with the 300 because the chips are so densly packed with pixels the individual pixels are so small that they don't gather light as well as a larger chip. I would never recommend going over 3db of gain with a 1/3 inch sensor because you will end up with a lot of noise in the shot. You could use a slower shutter for locked off shots however this will effect movement and give a strobed effect - 1/12 of a second. If you shoot 25pn you can get a bit of extra light as opposed to shooting 50i. Use filter one - no nd and open your iris. If you are still struggling you need a light.

White balance - very roughly speaking indoors is 3200k outside 5600 but can be much higher depending on time of day shade etc. 3200 and 5600 presets can get you out of trouble quickly putting you roughly in the ballpark so to speak, I wouldn't use ATW other than if I was going from 3200 to external in one shot. It can hunt and slowly change balance during a shot, i.e if you are shooting someone against a yellow curtain the shot will slowly change to a blueish tone as the ATW will look at the yellow and balance it.

You are always better off balancing for different scenes.

As for format no other video camera offers a better codec in this price range than AVC intra. At 100 mb 422 it's pretty much comparable with HDCAM. The front end is a bit noisy so I would suggest looking up the BBC settings on this site. I'd turn your coring level up and vertical detail down. Gamma curves effect how the signal is handled in terms of how the highlights roll off - softer for film look than video. Google bbc settings for the 300.

Hope that helps a bit.
 
I also use the 300 to shoot about a dozen weddings and private events throughout the year. I think its a great camera for this run and gun style. Ryan gave some good tips. Here's my two cents:

Stability: See Ryan's tip. Move closer.

Low Light: Buy a good light. I recommend the Zylight Z90. Bright, LED, dial in color temp. Awesome, awesome light. Get it, you won't regret it.

White balance: Do not use AWB. Do it yourself on the fly. You'll get better at it.

Keep shooting - you'll get better!

T
 
Thanks a lot Ryan/Tommy. Great tips and recommendations! I'll certainly go through the BBC settings for 300.

Ryan, you mentioned shooting at 25pn? Did you mean 24P native? I never tried 25 pn (was under the impression to shoot either 24 or 30 for videos).
Btw, I did see the white balance change mid shot in some of the footage because it was set to ATW...

I read an article which tell super16 lens adapter enhances pic quality http://blog.abelcine.com/2009/03/12/super-16-lens-adapter-for-the-hpx300/
Cost aside, is this solution good to enhance pic quality in low lights Or does HPX300 have inherent limitation...?

Tommy,
I checked the Zylight Z90. Sounds like a great solution for the light issues..
I currently use Lowel ID-Light 100 Watt Focus Flood Light. Although it gives me good control on the focus and intensity, it is only whitish yellow...so Zylight can help in that regards...
Do you know how much DC power it consumes? I use a bescor 12v battery belt (SLM 18ATM). Can the Zylight be connected to it and last me for 8-10 hours?

Thanks
Mahesh
 
Zylight: I can shoot a ceremony and sometimes the entire reception with one 88w camera battery (with the Zylight connected to the anton plug). Only way to go. Ditch the belt.

Relay Lens: The JVC relay lens is not a low light solution. Especially not for run and gun. Its best for controlled shooting environments.

Scene file: most like the BBC settings. I like the Cineneg file with a couple tweaks. I hate 'fixing' things in post. This file gives good color, doesn't crush blacks too bad, and leaves a little room bring levels up or down.

Good luck man. Keep shooting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top