tricks to improve XL1s latitude at DVinfo.net

John C Cha · October 26th, 2005, 11:23 PM

Anyone have any neat tricks on improving the latitude of XL1 in highly backlit situations?

I did a shoot where there was a key provided and a frontal fill through a large scrim, but the backlighting was very overwhelming to the point of looking like rim lighting that the subjects walked out of...almost looked like walking out of a wall of light. Blasting the place with frontal fill is an option, but then depth becomes squashed.

If the answer is here, I appreciate a map to it.

Ash Greyson · October 29th, 2005, 12:44 PM

The XL2 has a master pedestal adjustment which is a great help... but DV is DV and there isnt much you can do, especially with no MP adjustment...

ash =o)

Don Palomaki · October 30th, 2005, 05:50 PM

Some light from the sides instead of front fill?

John C Cha · November 1st, 2005, 12:24 AM

Solution 1) Use an XL2.

Solution 2) Side fill.

The trusty old XL1 does have its limitations. The mini-35 breathes new life into the camera, and if you work within its latitude and don't do any crazy panning it can fool you into thinking its a much higher end camera.

The XL2 is an incredible camera. In my humble opinion, the XL2 just beats the pants off the DVX100a and leaves it naked in front of the classroom. It is unquestionably light years ahead of the XL1, with 24fps, 1/48th shutter speed, adjustable cine gamma, cine color matrix, and the option to be fitted with a mini-35 adaptor.

Side fill if done on both sides simply makes the picture flat. From one side, on a groups scene looks weird. Angles are a good rule of thumb or diffuse frontal fill.

Alexandre Lucena · November 1st, 2005, 05:50 AM

Has anyone ever tryed tiffen´s low contrast filter?

Chad Simcox · November 3rd, 2005, 12:16 PM

Use a hazer on set to lower the contrast. Helps the background fall off nicely.

John C Cha · November 4th, 2005, 10:20 PM

if only we had one in the mad rush..

October 26th, 2005, 11:23 PM	#1
John C Cha New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 12	tricks to improve XL1s latitude Anyone have any neat tricks on improving the latitude of XL1 in highly backlit situations? I did a shoot where there was a key provided and a frontal fill through a large scrim, but the backlighting was very overwhelming to the point of looking like rim lighting that the subjects walked out of...almost looked like walking out of a wall of light. Blasting the place with frontal fill is an option, but then depth becomes squashed. If the answer is here, I appreciate a map to it.

October 30th, 2005, 05:50 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Some light from the sides instead of front fill? __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

November 1st, 2005, 12:24 AM	#4
John C Cha New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 12	heh heh Solution 1) Use an XL2. Solution 2) Side fill. The trusty old XL1 does have its limitations. The mini-35 breathes new life into the camera, and if you work within its latitude and don't do any crazy panning it can fool you into thinking its a much higher end camera. The XL2 is an incredible camera. In my humble opinion, the XL2 just beats the pants off the DVX100a and leaves it naked in front of the classroom. It is unquestionably light years ahead of the XL1, with 24fps, 1/48th shutter speed, adjustable cine gamma, cine color matrix, and the option to be fitted with a mini-35 adaptor. Side fill if done on both sides simply makes the picture flat. From one side, on a groups scene looks weird. Angles are a good rule of thumb or diffuse frontal fill.

November 1st, 2005, 05:50 AM	#5
Alexandre Lucena Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 56	tiffen low contrast filter Has anyone ever tryed tiffen´s low contrast filter?

November 4th, 2005, 10:20 PM	#7
John C Cha New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 12	thanks Chad. if only we had one in the mad rush..

October 29th, 2005, 12:44 PM	#2
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	The XL2 has a master pedestal adjustment which is a great help... but DV is DV and there isnt much you can do, especially with no MP adjustment... ash =o)

November 3rd, 2005, 12:16 PM	#6
Chad Simcox New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 22	Use a hazer on set to lower the contrast. Helps the background fall off nicely.