Need help, Matching XL1S and PD-150! at DVinfo.net

Daniel Chan · November 14th, 2002, 02:01 AM

Dear all fellow posters and DV enthusiasts,

I own an XL1S myself, and my DP owns a PD-150. We plan to shoot a short near the end of the year and would like to see if we could use both cameras for the project, but under closer inspection of the footage, both cameras produces a different look.

With two cameras, I think we could save a tonne of money on hiring costs of the other equipments and best of all, we save a lot of money on location hire.

Sharpness and color is two major probelms we have trouble matching, along with others such as white balance.

Should I forget about white balance at all?

Does anyone have the experience in matching the footage for the XL1s and the PD-150? If so, please drop me a line, I need any help I can get.

Thanks,

Daniel

Bryan Johannes Onel · November 14th, 2002, 02:43 AM

I don't see the point in using two camera's for a short. Most of the time you won't need to run two camera's at the same time. Only situations i can imagine is in dialogue (for your coverage) but then again you could do the same scene a couple of times over and get it right, and you have things much more under control when shooting with one camera. Other situation would be for a special effect (i would use several cameras for an effect) if you can't do the effect several times. And isn't this a matter the DP should look after? Anyway, i wish you good luck with your short!

Dylan Couper · November 14th, 2002, 10:42 AM

I agree with Bryan, I can't imagine too many scenes in a shot where you NEED two cameras, where one couldn't be made to work. I'd much rather just shoot more takes with a single camera than spend the time in post trying to make the footage look similar.

Unless you were doing stunts of special effects of course.

David Mintzer · November 14th, 2002, 06:56 PM

Unless of course you are shooting a documentary---it can make a big difference-----

Bryan Johannes Onel · November 14th, 2002, 07:21 PM

True David,

No offense but were talking bout a short here buddy.

David Mintzer · November 14th, 2002, 07:27 PM

short documentary--just kidding---I agree with you guys about fiction films.

MrGranger · November 27th, 2002, 12:07 PM

And I disagree with the common thought that only one camera is needed. If you can get two cameras it's ALWAYS better. You can get dialogue that syncs perfectly. Different angles of the same action. And speed up your shooting day considerably.

A good 10 minute short can take 16 hrs of filming. And if you are shooting with daylight you've got the matching light to contend with. Plus the actors getting tired. Nothing makes dialogue easier than shooting all the angles at once. Then you don't have to get three perfect takes from the various angles. You just need one (and one for safety if you're anal like me) with all the cameras in place.

Can you shoot it all with one camera? Sure. But you can eliminate a lot of problems with two or three camera setups.

I've done over 10 shorts of 10-30minutes and have learned that having two cameras saves a lot. As for camera matching...that could be difficult. I would probably try to use a monitor to color correct on set. Then go to After Effects. It's better to have two of the same camera IMHO.

Speaking of...check out one of the shorts I worked on REUNION, at www.triggerstreet.com. It's also going to play at the RAD Film Festival Dec. 13-15 in LA.

November 14th, 2002, 02:01 AM	#1
Daniel Chan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 30	Need help, Matching XL1S and PD-150! Dear all fellow posters and DV enthusiasts, I own an XL1S myself, and my DP owns a PD-150. We plan to shoot a short near the end of the year and would like to see if we could use both cameras for the project, but under closer inspection of the footage, both cameras produces a different look. With two cameras, I think we could save a tonne of money on hiring costs of the other equipments and best of all, we save a lot of money on location hire. Sharpness and color is two major probelms we have trouble matching, along with others such as white balance. Should I forget about white balance at all? Does anyone have the experience in matching the footage for the XL1s and the PD-150? If so, please drop me a line, I need any help I can get. Thanks, Daniel

November 14th, 2002, 02:43 AM	#2
Bryan Johannes Onel Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Amsterdam, The netherlands Posts: 71	Whats the point!?!? I don't see the point in using two camera's for a short. Most of the time you won't need to run two camera's at the same time. Only situations i can imagine is in dialogue (for your coverage) but then again you could do the same scene a couple of times over and get it right, and you have things much more under control when shooting with one camera. Other situation would be for a special effect (i would use several cameras for an effect) if you can't do the effect several times. And isn't this a matter the DP should look after? Anyway, i wish you good luck with your short!

November 27th, 2002, 12:07 PM	#7
MrGranger New Boot Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 22	Shot lots of shorts. And I disagree with the common thought that only one camera is needed. If you can get two cameras it's ALWAYS better. You can get dialogue that syncs perfectly. Different angles of the same action. And speed up your shooting day considerably. A good 10 minute short can take 16 hrs of filming. And if you are shooting with daylight you've got the matching light to contend with. Plus the actors getting tired. Nothing makes dialogue easier than shooting all the angles at once. Then you don't have to get three perfect takes from the various angles. You just need one (and one for safety if you're anal like me) with all the cameras in place. Can you shoot it all with one camera? Sure. But you can eliminate a lot of problems with two or three camera setups. I've done over 10 shorts of 10-30minutes and have learned that having two cameras saves a lot. As for camera matching...that could be difficult. I would probably try to use a monitor to color correct on set. Then go to After Effects. It's better to have two of the same camera IMHO. Speaking of...check out one of the shorts I worked on REUNION, at www.triggerstreet.com. It's also going to play at the RAD Film Festival Dec. 13-15 in LA.

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November 14th, 2002, 10:42 AM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I agree with Bryan, I can't imagine too many scenes in a shot where you NEED two cameras, where one couldn't be made to work. I'd much rather just shoot more takes with a single camera than spend the time in post trying to make the footage look similar. Unless you were doing stunts of special effects of course.

November 14th, 2002, 06:56 PM	#4
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	Unless of course you are shooting a documentary---it can make a big difference-----

November 14th, 2002, 07:21 PM	#5
Bryan Johannes Onel Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Amsterdam, The netherlands Posts: 71	True David, No offense but were talking bout a short here buddy.

November 14th, 2002, 07:27 PM	#6
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	short documentary--just kidding---I agree with you guys about fiction films.