1/30 or 1/60 shutter speed? at DVinfo.net

Xander Christ · January 19th, 2005, 01:04 AM

I'm test driving the HD10U and was wondering what shutter speed is "ideal" when shooting 720p? Since it's progressive, is 1/30 the ideal? The thing that confuses me is that on Pana's AG-DVX100, the ideal shutter speed is 1/48. In the film world, I'm led to believe the shutter is set to 180', which is twice the frame rate (24 fps with 180' shutter is equivlant exposure to 48 fps, or something like that). So does this mean that 30p looks better with a shutter speed of 1/60?

Heath McKnight · January 20th, 2005, 06:04 PM

With the DVX100A, we stick with 1/60, believe it or not. But that's for our DVX100A page...

I recommend 1/60 for the HD10.

hwm

Heath McKnight · February 25th, 2006, 06:52 PM

Update: After tons of tests with the DVX100a, I like the shutter of 1/50. You could use syncro-scan to go to 1/48, but there's a weird jittery look. Stick with 1/50.

heath

Robert M Wright · February 25th, 2006, 09:14 PM

I sure won't do 1/30 hand held.

Ken Hodson · February 26th, 2006, 04:13 PM

I find the look of 1/60th preferable to 1/30th which give a strong motion blur to fast movement. That said the cam likes to revert to 1/30th in HD mode unless you have way to much light, which will let the shutter climb. If you are shooting locked down tri-pod with medium to long shots 1/30th works fine. If your shooting close with little movement then it is also OK. Because the cam likes to revert to 1/30 in HD (as opposed to 1/60 in SD) you have the option to lock the exposure, where as if you want 1/60th you will most likely have to lock the shutter to that speed, making an exposure lock unavailable. Of course there are ways to get around that, but it isn't as simple as pressing a button.

Robert M Wright · February 26th, 2006, 07:21 PM

The HD10U does challenge you, but you can get some great images (and it will force you to learn more about the fundamentals of image acquisition).

Steve Mullen · March 2nd, 2006, 02:32 AM

Ken's got it.

After working out ways to get 1/60th because that is technically correct -- in India this last year I decided to use the HD1 like I had been using an HD100.

Use ND to get 1/30th second (because you can set shutter-speed) and then adjust exposure as needed.

On slowly moving subjects, the blur almost makes no difference.

On rapidly moving subjects, the blur "covers" the strobing.

So I rewote the HD1/HD10 Shooting Guide that's in my HD100 Handbook.

Xavier Agudo · May 12th, 2006, 08:00 PM

Is it possible to get just the appendix about hd10u shooting from your guide?

Steve Mullen · May 13th, 2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavier Agudo

Is it possible to get just the appendix about hd10u shooting from your guide?

I'm considering this. I want to add a bit on using the Focus HDD with these camcorders. Look for an announcement at the end of May here.

I'm also rewatching stuff I shot with an eye to focus issues. I noticed I got into a bad habit of going for extream CUs. When doing so, the critical focus range is only a few inches! Seems my eyes can't see on the LCD the tiny bit the camera may be out of focus. But on my new 50-inch -- too many shots are just slightly out of focus.

By the way, there is a thread on shooting 30p:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=66947

January 19th, 2005, 01:04 AM	#1
Xander Christ Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 115	1/30 or 1/60 shutter speed? I'm test driving the HD10U and was wondering what shutter speed is "ideal" when shooting 720p? Since it's progressive, is 1/30 the ideal? The thing that confuses me is that on Pana's AG-DVX100, the ideal shutter speed is 1/48. In the film world, I'm led to believe the shutter is set to 180', which is twice the frame rate (24 fps with 180' shutter is equivlant exposure to 48 fps, or something like that). So does this mean that 30p looks better with a shutter speed of 1/60?

January 20th, 2005, 06:04 PM	#2
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	With the DVX100A, we stick with 1/60, believe it or not. But that's for our DVX100A page... I recommend 1/60 for the HD10. hwm __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

February 25th, 2006, 06:52 PM	#3
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Update: After tons of tests with the DVX100a, I like the shutter of 1/50. You could use syncro-scan to go to 1/48, but there's a weird jittery look. Stick with 1/50. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

February 26th, 2006, 04:13 PM	#5
Ken Hodson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 1,315	I find the look of 1/60th preferable to 1/30th which give a strong motion blur to fast movement. That said the cam likes to revert to 1/30th in HD mode unless you have way to much light, which will let the shutter climb. If you are shooting locked down tri-pod with medium to long shots 1/30th works fine. If your shooting close with little movement then it is also OK. Because the cam likes to revert to 1/30 in HD (as opposed to 1/60 in SD) you have the option to lock the exposure, where as if you want 1/60th you will most likely have to lock the shutter to that speed, making an exposure lock unavailable. Of course there are ways to get around that, but it isn't as simple as pressing a button. __________________ Damnit Jim, I'm a film maker not a sysytems tech.

March 2nd, 2006, 02:32 AM	#7
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Ken's got it. After working out ways to get 1/60th because that is technically correct -- in India this last year I decided to use the HD1 like I had been using an HD100. Use ND to get 1/30th second (because you can set shutter-speed) and then adjust exposure as needed. On slowly moving subjects, the blur almost makes no difference. On rapidly moving subjects, the blur "covers" the strobing. So I rewote the HD1/HD10 Shooting Guide that's in my HD100 Handbook. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

February 25th, 2006, 09:14 PM	#4
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I sure won't do 1/30 hand held.

February 26th, 2006, 07:21 PM	#6
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	The HD10U does challenge you, but you can get some great images (and it will force you to learn more about the fundamentals of image acquisition).

May 12th, 2006, 08:00 PM	#8
Xavier Agudo Tourist Join Date: May 2006 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 3	Hd10 shooting guide Is it possible to get just the appendix about hd10u shooting from your guide?