Showreel test update at DVinfo.net

Simon Wyndham · April 2nd, 2006, 06:28 PM

I won't reveal all at the moment since that is for the Showreel article. However we have been shooting a music promo over the weekend for an unsigned band "Project Valkyrie". The video also ties in with The Silencer since we are using the same song as the theme for the movie. You can listen to the song at http://www.projectvalkyrie.co.uk

If you go to the downloads section and select "The Battle For Valhalla" this is the song that the video is for.

Right, on to the important stuff. The camera. I've been messing around with it as much as I can. First and foremost this thing (with an HJ17 2/3" lens at least) is pin sharp. Totally and utterly sharp as a razor, even with the detail circuits turned completely off. If someone makes a Pro35 that fits this thing (and definitely for the F350) it will be the indie moviemakers dream. Power consumption is much lower than my current XDCAM, and the large LCD is great.

I wont say too much more as I don't want to spil things too much. But I will say that this camera rocks. Any drawbacks? One or two. But overall very, very nice.

Scott Aston · April 2nd, 2006, 08:46 PM

Good news Simon! Can you reveal if the LCD is high enough rez to get accurate focus? Also, with the 1.37X magnification is the focal view a problem for wide shots?

Michael Devlin · April 2nd, 2006, 09:10 PM

Sound great Simon. How is the sensitivity with the 2/3" lens?

Simon Wyndham · April 3rd, 2006, 02:16 AM

The LCD isn't too good for focus despite being a decent resolution. The only way to ensure the focus with the camera on its own is to use the peaking function in the viewfinder, or even better to use a large high def monitor on set.

The 1.37x magnification wasn't too much of a hinderance. At one point we tried a J11 for a wideshot and it worked out pretty nicely giving an effective focal length of roughly 6.4mm.

Sensitivity with the 2/3" lens seemed fine. However the camera is only rated at f9 and the difference between the 510 and this one is very marked. The adaptor doesn't contain any other optics other than a protective clear piece of glass. I wasn't supplied with a 1/2" lens so I am unable to compare the two.

Chris Hurd · April 3rd, 2006, 02:35 AM

Stupid question: is it a separate adapter for HD, or is it the same for SD?

Simon Wyndham · April 3rd, 2006, 04:51 AM

Chris, not sure what you mean? The SD XDCAM's are 2/3" natively so they do not require an adaptor.

Chris Hurd · April 3rd, 2006, 03:16 PM

Disregard, Simon. I should not have been posting at 3:35am local time!

April 2nd, 2006, 06:28 PM	#1
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Showreel test update I won't reveal all at the moment since that is for the Showreel article. However we have been shooting a music promo over the weekend for an unsigned band "Project Valkyrie". The video also ties in with The Silencer since we are using the same song as the theme for the movie. You can listen to the song at http://www.projectvalkyrie.co.uk If you go to the downloads section and select "The Battle For Valhalla" this is the song that the video is for. Right, on to the important stuff. The camera. I've been messing around with it as much as I can. First and foremost this thing (with an HJ17 2/3" lens at least) is pin sharp. Totally and utterly sharp as a razor, even with the detail circuits turned completely off. If someone makes a Pro35 that fits this thing (and definitely for the F350) it will be the indie moviemakers dream. Power consumption is much lower than my current XDCAM, and the large LCD is great. I wont say too much more as I don't want to spil things too much. But I will say that this camera rocks. Any drawbacks? One or two. But overall very, very nice.

April 2nd, 2006, 08:46 PM	#2
Scott Aston Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 75	Good news Simon! Can you reveal if the LCD is high enough rez to get accurate focus? Also, with the 1.37X magnification is the focal view a problem for wide shots? __________________ Scott Aston Eyecon Pictures, Inc.

April 2nd, 2006, 09:10 PM	#3
Michael Devlin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Zephyr Cove, NV & Anchorage, AK Posts: 82	Sound great Simon. How is the sensitivity with the 2/3" lens? __________________ Mike Devlin www.dangerouspassage.com

April 3rd, 2006, 02:35 AM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Stupid question: is it a separate adapter for HD, or is it the same for SD? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 3rd, 2006, 03:16 PM	#7
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Disregard, Simon. I should not have been posting at 3:35am local time! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 3rd, 2006, 02:16 AM	#4
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	The LCD isn't too good for focus despite being a decent resolution. The only way to ensure the focus with the camera on its own is to use the peaking function in the viewfinder, or even better to use a large high def monitor on set. The 1.37x magnification wasn't too much of a hinderance. At one point we tried a J11 for a wideshot and it worked out pretty nicely giving an effective focal length of roughly 6.4mm. Sensitivity with the 2/3" lens seemed fine. However the camera is only rated at f9 and the difference between the 510 and this one is very marked. The adaptor doesn't contain any other optics other than a protective clear piece of glass. I wasn't supplied with a 1/2" lens so I am unable to compare the two.

April 3rd, 2006, 04:51 AM	#6
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Chris, not sure what you mean? The SD XDCAM's are 2/3" natively so they do not require an adaptor.