z scale vs mm for focal length

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I am doing a little research on the DVX100a and can't seem to find a specific piece of information that I am looking for. I've tried to contact Panasonic, and so far they have not responded, its been nearly two weeks.

My question is, how does the "Z-scale" or zoom numbers relate to actual focal lengths in millimeters? Instead of Z1, Z2, Z3 and so on to Z100, I am really more familiar and comfortable knowing my exact focal length. I have looked high and low for this info, and keep coming up short.

Advertisements for the camera list the focal lengths as 32.5mm to 325mm (35mm equivalent), but nothing in between. This information is very important to me. Could you please email back and shed some light on this issue? I will be using the camera for the first time next week, and am feeling very insecure not knowing this trivial information.

Thank you very much for your time and any information you can share.

Steve Devlin
Devlins@stlucieco.gov
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

Just a thought but perhaps a little math will get you what you want. If 100Z=325mm and 1Z=32.5mm then you should be able to get any focal in mm using these numbers.

Also keep in mind the specs are most likely 35mm still camera focal lengths NOT 35mm motion picture lengths so if you are used to using cine lenses then your going to have to do a different conversion. Keep in mind if your letter boxing then its yet another number system.
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

But, letterboxing a 16:9 centre out of the DVX takes away the same field of view as film shooters do when masking thier film for 16:9...
So a cine lens conversion chart would be ideal, and you'd get results just as Hollywood!
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

The chart exists somewhere on this forum. I put a chart of focal lenght to Zxx equivalents in the new book as well.
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

Which "Hollywood" format are you talking about? 1.85, 1.78, 2.35, academy, full aperture, 3 perf, super 35, 35mm super HDTV, 1.66, 35mm TV transfer 1.33...

...or were you talking 16mm because...

Im only messing with ya. As you can see though its really hard to make a chart for this sort of thing without knowing what film format you want to compare it to. I recomend that you pick up pCAM for your computer or Palm. It will give you DOF and FOV for all the formats above and all the way down to 1/3".
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

I had pCAM back when I still dragged around a palm...I HIGHLY recomend it.
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

[quote author=Brett Erskine link=board=news;num=1099588421;start=0#4 date=11/05/04 at 01:16:25]Which "Hollywood" format are you talking about? 1.85, 1.78, 2.35, academy, full aperture, 3 perf, super 35, 35mm super HDTV, 1.66, 35mm TV transfer 1.33...
[/quote]

Well I meant 16:9 35mm...as COULD have been interpreted from my post -

Thanks for being a smart ass! ;D :D :P
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

:) Sorry about that its just that 16:9 is just a ratio and thus only half of the issue. Image size is the other. Since the image size between 35mm still and 35mm cine is different both in ratio and size we basically have three different specs that need to be converted. 1/3" FL for 16:9, 35mm FL, 35mm cine FL for 16:9. To make a long story short just get pCAM which can be found for free here:

http://www.davideubank.com/

While your at it get pCINE as well. Very nice.
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

Stas-
Great link. Now if they just made this software for our cell phones.

Mike-
Too lazy to sign in. I've been wandering around in the shadows here for a long time but you wouldnt know it because they dont keep track of my posts. Too bad because I really really want some more gold stars - Strange but I think it has something to do with elementary school. ;)
 
Re: z scale vs mm for focal length

I went to the pCam website and I didn't see anything for a regular PC. Do they even have a version for a PC? The demos look terrific.
 
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