Wanting to get the camera style used in Green Zone.

I

ironpony

Carbonite Member
I like how in Green Zone, it is shot from the point of view through cameras as if they were media broadcast cameras. The camera operators having to run around and shoot it while zooming and framing, etc...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nq9cN6F9ys

I would like to do a thriller project like that. However, every DP I have met so far willing to work on a shoestring budget, does not have a camera that can perform those types of zooms. I am okay going without the zooms, but will audiences percieve it as media camera style, or will they perceive it as random civilian with an amateur camcorder style, if that type of slick zoom is not their to show it's a media style camera. What do you think?
 
I've done that kind of camera work on DSLRs many times, emulating ENG style news broadcast, amateurs operating a consumer camera, or shows like Parks and Rec or The Office. It's more difficult with still lenses because they're not parfocal (they don't hold focus as you zoom), but with practice it's totally doable. A T2i and a 28-135 will get the job done on the (extremely) cheap end, though any decent zoom lens is capable of the look you want. A small gunstock or single handled rig and a few days of tests and practice and any operator worth his salt should be able to get you there.
 
Actually I already tested in on a camera operator's T2i, and as you zoom in, the exposure gets darker, than brighter again. This was with the aperture at f8.
 
You could do it with an AF100, GH2/GH3, or a Black Magic Cinema Camera, and using a B4 to m4/3 adapter, and an actual ENG Lens. You would also need a 2x m4/3 teleconverter for the AF100 or BMCC if the ENG lens didn't have a 2x teleconverter built-in, with the GH2/GH3 you could use ETC 2x mode.

Just another option!
 
I guess I'm just too old, as I absolutely hate this style and can only watch it fr a very limited time before dumping out.
 
ironpony said:
Actually I already tested in on a camera operator's T2i, and as you zoom in, the exposure gets darker, than brighter again. This was with the aperture at f8.
Click to expand...

That's a function of a non-fixed-aperture lens, not the camera body. You can rent a 24-70 f/2.8 or 28-105 f/4.0 for very little that won't exhibit the same problem. If the aperture isn't fixed it won't matter how far you stop down, exposure will still change as you zoom. The DSLR is definitely NOT the ideal way to do it, but renting an appropriate lens shouldn't cost you more than $25/day or so.
 
Okay thanks, that sounds good. I have already been to the camera stores before and asked them but they say they cannot get such a lens for that. But I will keep looking. If buy chance we cannot rent the zoom lens, can we still use that media camera style, or will it just not look the same without the zoom and look home camcorder-ish?
 
Another thing I forgot to mention is night. Since I will be shooting on the real streets, I will have to use a fast lens. Are their any zoom lenses that can open up to 1.4 at all?
 
You cant have everything for nothing - you must learn to taylor your shoot to match your resources.

Watch the GZ BTS vid - they struggled to do it them selves! ..with both (very) expensive equipment and experienced crew.

And actually they used primes when it got really dark

S
 
Okay thanks. I will do it without the zoom lens, I just hope that it doesn't go from documentary thriller style, to home video hand held camera style, since the zoom isn't there, and their is just camera shaky only.
 
I would but unfortunately I got a shoot coming up this weekend, and haven't used a prime lens before. I haven't had time to get one, cause of lack of stores that sell them where I live. I have one coming in, on order but will not have time to test with a prime unfortunately before the weekend. I have tested with the normal zoom lenses. I'd say that it looks more home video-ish, without the zoom, but that's how I see it.
 
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