Which Camera for Shoot?

HowdyDoo

HowdyDoo

Well-known member
Which camera should I use for this shoot? It's for a commercial and will be shot documentary style. No sound. Just a handheld, man-on-the-street look.

I have access to either a Sony HD-FX or a Sony DXC D35 (1/2" CCDs with a 2/3 Fujinon lens).

I want to choose the camera that's gonna give me the best quality. So... old 1/2" DVCAM or new 1/3" HDV?
 
Last edited:
If you aren't finishing in some form of HD for larger screen presentation, and you're comfortable with a video look, go with the DXC. Better lenses and chips.
 
Go with the HD-FX. I own a HD-Z1U and I've done numerous man on the street and the Sony looks great. I would suggest putting the camera into the outdoor auto white balance mode (with a +1 on the AE setting in the MENU just below the outdoor/indoor auto setting), set your zebra at 75 and when you shoot, make sure that the zebra just barely shows on the person's face. Another cool thing to do is to go into the Picture Profile 3 -- the pre-set settings already put it on the CineFrame 30 setting -- not as jittery as the 24 and it looks good. Good Luck.
 
dcdirector said:
Go with the HD-FX. I own a HD-Z1U and I've done numerous man on the street and the Sony looks great. I would suggest putting the camera into the outdoor auto white balance mode (with a +1 on the AE setting in the MENU just below the outdoor/indoor auto setting), set your zebra at 75 and when you shoot, make sure that the zebra just barely shows on the person's face. Another cool thing to do is to go into the Picture Profile 3 -- the pre-set settings already put it on the CineFrame 30 setting -- not as jittery as the 24 and it looks good. Good Luck.
Click to expand...

the present settings have different variables set for different things, I would make your settings how you like them, then put on cf30, but yes cf30 is better than 24.
 
Hmmm. I own a Z1U, and I'de have to disagree with the previous two posts. I have used both cameras (well, a Z1, not an FX) that you are mentioning. And again, for your purposes I think the DXC would be better. That is, unless for some reason you need 1080i resolution.

You'll be using a 10 grand camera, instead of a 4 grand camera. And there is a reason for that. You'll have far better lenses. Be able to black balance the signal. And you'll be able to capture higher quality audio directly into the camera, which could be important for interviews, etc. I'm not just talking about the XLR inputs, I'm talking about not having an MP3 based audio aquisition format (like the FX and Z1).

If you really want to deinterlace the footage to get a 30p look. You can do that in post with natress film effects or something. It looks better than CF30. But it sounds like you are going for doc style, so a video feel is highly acceptable. The DXC has a ton of settings to adjust the color curves, etc, far more than the FX, if you wanted to play with a film like gamma. Or, you could, as I would recommend, do all that in post.

You'll find with a fast lens with the DXC, you'll get a really clean signal, be able to deal with a much wider array of lighting situations and tighter spaces, etc.

Also, this is negligible, but the DXC is a much larger camera, so you might find people treating you a little more seriously. It sounds stupid, but it's true. If you do use the FX, get a matte box. You'de probably want it for some ND filters if you are shooting outdoors anyway. A .3 a .6 and a .9 are always handy!

Don't get me wrong, I love my Z1. But you asked what to use given your choices and the format of the show you are recording.

If you really are aiming for a film look though. then get ahold of a DVX :) CF30 just doesn't compare to 24p.

Also, in response to an above post about putting the Zebra stripes at 75 for faces. That's fine, but you still want to keep an eye on your highlights, especially out doors. You go about 2 stops over and you're blasted out to white, no info. So backgrounds can get washed out easy, etc. Unless you don't care and you find this look desirable.

In the end it is up to you.
 
I don't really need 1080i or a film look although it would be nice. I really just want the absolute highest quality image I can get from the camera. This is for a regional 30 second spot.

I was unsure if the higher resolution of the HD-FX would beat the 1/2" CCDs on the DVCAM. Then again, the 2/3" lens has far superior glass than the FX so like ZOO said, that's a big factor.
 
I agree with alot of what zoo said, but I would like to remind you that the time you shoot is most critical to the final product. If you are shooting outside during the day, I would suggest trying to shoot mornings or around sunset rather than shooting mid-afternoon when you get harsh shadows and bright blown out backgrounds. Also, make sure to have a reflector to be able to manipulate natural light on people's faces. In the end, I think that it doesn't matter which camera you get, if you don't know the camera intimately.
 
I agree

I agree

dcdirector said:
I agree with alot of what zoo said, but I would like to remind you that the time you shoot is most critical to the final product. If you are shooting outside during the day, I would suggest trying to shoot mornings or around sunset rather than shooting mid-afternoon when you get harsh shadows and bright blown out backgrounds. Also, make sure to have a reflector to be able to manipulate natural light on people's faces. In the end, I think that it doesn't matter which camera you get, if you don't know the camera intimately.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. The sun can be your best friend or your worst enemy. And video hates a noon sun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top