What is your preshooting, on location set up procedure?... at DVinfo.net

Matthew Cherry · September 26th, 2004, 12:33 PM

Ok, you've arrived on location, whether indoor or out, you've set up your lighting (or maybe you wait?), what do you do to set-up your xl2.

What I mean by this is do you first white balance the camera (or do you simply select indoor or outdoor, or leave it on auto)? When do you use your zebra bars, before or after you white balance? After you set up your lights? Have you calibrated your camera at the studio (using the tools in say FCP)? Do you do this again on location?

You get the idea, how do you prepare to start shooting video?

Thanks,

Matt

Chris Hurd · September 26th, 2004, 09:55 PM

This isn't really an "XL2" question because it could relate pretty much to *any* camera. Therefore, I've moved it to Open DV Discussion.

Matthew Cherry · September 26th, 2004, 10:14 PM

Thanks Chris, eventually I'll get the hang of things.

Darko Flajpan · September 27th, 2004, 12:58 AM

1. "investigate" location (light sources, reflections...)
2. choose position(s)
3. light setup
4. audio setup
5. tripod setup
6. white balancing
7. aperture setting (zebra)
8. focusing
9. framing
10 shooting & have fun

That's my way...

Bill Pryor · September 27th, 2004, 08:28 AM

Camera setup doesn't have anything to do with your editing system. Typically you would white balance to the shot. However, with the XL2 now having setup files similar to many professional cameras, you can tweak the camera in advance to provide a look you want for the project you're shooting. I have a DSR500, and have 3 different file setups I use most all the time. The most interesting one is much warmer and softer and a bit more contrasty than normal, with richer blacks. When I use the setup files, I do not white balance but instead use 3200 or 5500, depending on the lighting. To do those setups, you need a good professional monitor that's properly adjusted; otherwise you might end up with something that you think looks good but is way off. Generally, I think it's best to do those setups in the studio under good controlled conditions for accuracy. I'm assuming the XL2 allows you to save setup files, otherwise that would be a problem.
As far as zebras, zebras are how you read the camera's light meter, and you use that all the time.

Kris Holodak · September 28th, 2004, 09:39 AM

I like Darko's list, though I usually put tripod setup before light setup, mostly to make it easier to know what positions I've chosen.

September 26th, 2004, 12:33 PM	#1
Matthew Cherry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stamford, CT United States Posts: 212	What is your preshooting, on location, XL2 set up procedure?... Ok, you've arrived on location, whether indoor or out, you've set up your lighting (or maybe you wait?), what do you do to set-up your xl2. What I mean by this is do you first white balance the camera (or do you simply select indoor or outdoor, or leave it on auto)? When do you use your zebra bars, before or after you white balance? After you set up your lights? Have you calibrated your camera at the studio (using the tools in say FCP)? Do you do this again on location? You get the idea, how do you prepare to start shooting video? Thanks, Matt

September 26th, 2004, 09:55 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	This isn't really an "XL2" question because it could relate pretty much to any camera. Therefore, I've moved it to Open DV Discussion. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 27th, 2004, 12:58 AM	#4
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	1. "investigate" location (light sources, reflections...) 2. choose position(s) 3. light setup 4. audio setup 5. tripod setup 6. white balancing 7. aperture setting (zebra) 8. focusing 9. framing 10 shooting & have fun That's my way... __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

September 26th, 2004, 10:14 PM	#3
Matthew Cherry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stamford, CT United States Posts: 212	Thanks Chris, eventually I'll get the hang of things.

September 27th, 2004, 08:28 AM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Camera setup doesn't have anything to do with your editing system. Typically you would white balance to the shot. However, with the XL2 now having setup files similar to many professional cameras, you can tweak the camera in advance to provide a look you want for the project you're shooting. I have a DSR500, and have 3 different file setups I use most all the time. The most interesting one is much warmer and softer and a bit more contrasty than normal, with richer blacks. When I use the setup files, I do not white balance but instead use 3200 or 5500, depending on the lighting. To do those setups, you need a good professional monitor that's properly adjusted; otherwise you might end up with something that you think looks good but is way off. Generally, I think it's best to do those setups in the studio under good controlled conditions for accuracy. I'm assuming the XL2 allows you to save setup files, otherwise that would be a problem. As far as zebras, zebras are how you read the camera's light meter, and you use that all the time.

September 28th, 2004, 09:39 AM	#6
Kris Holodak Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 302	I like Darko's list, though I usually put tripod setup before light setup, mostly to make it easier to know what positions I've chosen.