Whats mounted on Hunger Games cameras?

N

norm stitzon

New member
Just watched the Blu-Ray for Hunger Games.
The bonus features shows the making of, and the cameras all had what looked like a pair of binoculars with a cable coming out mounted just above the lens hood.
What is it?

If i can find a pic on the web somewhere i will post it.

Thanks!
 
norm stitzon said:
Just watched the Blu-Ray for Hunger Games.
The bonus features shows the making of, and the cameras all had what looked like a pair of binoculars with a cable coming out mounted just above the lens hood.
What is it?

If i can find a pic on the web somewhere i will post it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Cine-tape/ Pana-tape: It's sonar/ultrasonic device that tells you how far an object is infront of the camera. You can put extensions on to narrow the focus. Works well for closeups and MCU's, and some other applications. Helps the 1st AC know exactly how far something is, when focusing is very critical or DOF very shallow.

CTM.jpg

http://www.cinemaelec.com/products/cinetapemeasure.php
 
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^ Yes I have worked with them. Although I've never used Panavision's version in the field (don't get to shoot much Panavision stuff these days) I did get to play around with their model back when I worked there. Very fun to test. I have a pretty good idea of when they work well and when they don't. It's not a magic 1st AC solution; it only works wonders in specific situations. Most of the time (99%) as a DP or an AC, I cannot get production to pay extra for these.... But when shooting a push-in of a CU or an ECU this thing is a godsend! For ultra close shooting at a wide stop, knowing the exact distance to the inch is a great way to ensure focus without having to pixel peep a monitor.

Then again, if you are not using cinema lenses a cine-tape is useless. Another advantage of cinema lenses! The coolest thing is a cinetape display and i/technology display they make. It takes the i/technology readout of Cooke/Angineaux/Fujinon/Sony/etc cinema lenses and also displays the cinetape display. The 1st AC does not even have to look at the lens barrel on those critical CU shots! It's amazing!

Check it out HERE: http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/products/lensdisplay.html
 
I really enjoy using the Cinetape when pulling, mostly for the CUs and ECUs that RPO is talking about. Another advantage is that when you are using a Preston FIZ3 the Cinetape sends the distance readout wirelessly to the handunit. It is fantastic for close Steadicam work too.
 
JPM Photography said:
I really enjoy using the Cinetape when pulling, mostly for the CUs and ECUs that RPO is talking about. Another advantage is that when you are using a Preston FIZ3 the Cinetape sends the distance readout wirelessly to the handunit. It is fantastic for close Steadicam work too.
Click to expand...

Preston also does i/technology too. If you have the right lenses and hand-unit, you can have both too!
 
If you have the HU3, you don't even need cine lenses to have accurate focus readout of both Cinetape and lens marks down to the inches--the HU3 effectively turns the Zeiss ZE/ZF series into CP2's with it's mark extrapolation feature. Obviously it's a bit of a caviar/hamburger pairing, but if you have access to the HU3 (I kept mine from my Steadicam days) it's a great way to manage the DSLR lens focus pulling fiasco.
 
Redrockmicro made something similar, but better imho

The microRemote Wireless Focus System
It has also a sonar meter, but it gives you the range of dof on a nice display o your iPhone, that sits in the remote FF cradle.
So even if you use photo glass with marks that are off, it works just fine.

Frank
 
I find it funny that Shane Halibut is the 5d preacher always has these and an AC on a Preston- so far out of the reach of the average 5d owner..

S
 
morgan_moore said:
I find it funny that Shane Halibut is the 5d preacher always has these and an AC on a Preston- so far out of the reach of the average 5d owner..

S
Click to expand...

Spending so much less on the camera allows for additional toys in other areas...

In the case of the "Hunger Games"(2012), because it appears to be shot so much with 'steadicam/handheld', I'd see this sort of device as a major help. The Wife was gnashing her teeth about the 'unsteady' camera work... but I"m sure those who like the technique appreciate the 'stay in focus', rather than the hunting around style... ok... maybe the same crowd likes the hunt focus style as well...

But for some reason, I was not so put off by the unsteady cam motion... "Beasts of the Southern Wild"(2012)... on the other hand... totally different impact on my stomach...
 
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