How are you aligning your cameras? at DVinfo.net

Michael Maier · August 4th, 2006, 03:06 AM

What chart are you using for aligning your HD100’s? The DSC Camalign seems to be the best but cost an arm, a leg and an eye.

K. Forman · August 4th, 2006, 05:51 AM

I'm using a Siemen's start chart I found online and printed out. It's not just that I'm cheap, but I can't see spending that much for a laminated chart. Besides, to buy it at that price would just encourage them to charge ridiculous prices on everything. Special videographers chewing gum- only $200!

Jerry Porter · August 4th, 2006, 08:25 AM

I think there is a chart in your users guide/book thing???

K. Forman · August 4th, 2006, 08:38 AM

Yes, I think it is in the Lens manual.

Mark Silva · August 4th, 2006, 09:57 AM

yep, its in that green booklet that comes with the lense.

works perfectly well for me.

Michael Maier · August 4th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Are you using a focus chart to align your cameras? I'm not talking about back focus adjustment.

K. Forman · August 4th, 2006, 10:09 AM

Then we obviously misunderstood what you were asking. What is it you are trying to do?

K. Forman · August 4th, 2006, 10:22 AM

Ok... I think I understand what you are trying to do. I checked it out at CineAble http://www.abelcine.com/store/produc...7&cat=0&page=1

Being new to this type of set up, that is unknown territory for me. However, Paolo and a few others have mentioned these charts with great results. I'm sure they have been used heavily while working on scene recipes.

Jerry Porter · August 4th, 2006, 10:25 AM

I know what he's talking about now. To answer the question - I'm not, I haven't had a need to match to another camera and I'm using Palo's True Color 3 settings and have been very pleased!

K. Forman · August 4th, 2006, 10:27 AM

Of course, this does bring up the answer to matching multiple cameras on a shoot. It would make color correction easier.

But then, wouldn't you also need to run a waveform and vectorscope to do any good?

Nate Weaver · August 4th, 2006, 12:10 PM

My experience with many, many multicamera DV and HDV shoots is that if the menu settings are identical, then the pictures will be. I'm sure there's some cameras that are off, but I've never come across any.

The few times I've had black levels off, later investigation showed that it was operator error (somebody not being thorough enough).

My guess is that the true issues with camera setup in a modern camera are already taken care of at the factory in order for the camera's DSP to work correctly.

Jack Walker · August 4th, 2006, 12:38 PM

Do the settings that are recorded on the SD card (scene files?) have all the settings to reset the camera after they have been manipulated manually?

That is, can all settings be reset by putting an SD card into the camera, or are there certain setting that can only be reset manually.

Similarly, is there a reset button or similar that will completely reset all setting on the camera to the factory default?

Michael Maier · August 9th, 2006, 12:34 PM

You don’t align a camera only to match another camera. You align it to get the best out of it. You shouldn’t trust the factory alignment either. You should do your own and according to your shooting needs. A Siemens star is not the right tool. A great tool for that i is a DSC Labs Camalign chart (short of course of their prohibitively expensive Chroma DuMonde chart), but they are really expensive. But you need at least an accurate color chart, gray scale and resolution chart and a waveform monitor.

August 4th, 2006, 03:06 AM	#1
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	How are you aligning your cameras? What chart are you using for aligning your HD100’s? The DSC Camalign seems to be the best but cost an arm, a leg and an eye.

August 4th, 2006, 05:51 AM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I'm using a Siemen's start chart I found online and printed out. It's not just that I'm cheap, but I can't see spending that much for a laminated chart. Besides, to buy it at that price would just encourage them to charge ridiculous prices on everything. Special videographers chewing gum- only $200! __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 4th, 2006, 08:38 AM	#4
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Yes, I think it is in the Lens manual. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 4th, 2006, 10:09 AM	#7
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Then we obviously misunderstood what you were asking. What is it you are trying to do? __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 4th, 2006, 10:22 AM	#8
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Ok... I think I understand what you are trying to do. I checked it out at CineAble http://www.abelcine.com/store/produc...7&cat=0&page=1 Being new to this type of set up, that is unknown territory for me. However, Paolo and a few others have mentioned these charts with great results. I'm sure they have been used heavily while working on scene recipes. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 4th, 2006, 08:25 AM	#3
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	I think there is a chart in your users guide/book thing???

August 4th, 2006, 09:57 AM	#5
Mark Silva Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 431	yep, its in that green booklet that comes with the lense. works perfectly well for me.

August 4th, 2006, 10:03 AM	#6
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	Are you using a focus chart to align your cameras? I'm not talking about back focus adjustment.

August 4th, 2006, 10:25 AM	#9
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	I know what he's talking about now. To answer the question - I'm not, I haven't had a need to match to another camera and I'm using Palo's True Color 3 settings and have been very pleased!

August 4th, 2006, 10:27 AM	#10
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Of course, this does bring up the answer to matching multiple cameras on a shoot. It would make color correction easier. But then, wouldn't you also need to run a waveform and vectorscope to do any good? __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 4th, 2006, 12:10 PM	#11
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	My experience with many, many multicamera DV and HDV shoots is that if the menu settings are identical, then the pictures will be. I'm sure there's some cameras that are off, but I've never come across any. The few times I've had black levels off, later investigation showed that it was operator error (somebody not being thorough enough). My guess is that the true issues with camera setup in a modern camera are already taken care of at the factory in order for the camera's DSP to work correctly. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

August 4th, 2006, 12:38 PM	#12
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Do the settings that are recorded on the SD card (scene files?) have all the settings to reset the camera after they have been manipulated manually? That is, can all settings be reset by putting an SD card into the camera, or are there certain setting that can only be reset manually. Similarly, is there a reset button or similar that will completely reset all setting on the camera to the factory default?

August 9th, 2006, 12:34 PM	#13
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	You don’t align a camera only to match another camera. You align it to get the best out of it. You shouldn’t trust the factory alignment either. You should do your own and according to your shooting needs. A Siemens star is not the right tool. A great tool for that i is a DSC Labs Camalign chart (short of course of their prohibitively expensive Chroma DuMonde chart), but they are really expensive. But you need at least an accurate color chart, gray scale and resolution chart and a waveform monitor.