Best way to match multiple cameras at DVinfo.net

Jody Arnott · February 25th, 2014, 03:35 AM

Hi all,

I'm shooting a large event in a few weeks. We have a 6 camera crew, but budget is restricted so everyone is using their own cameras (rather than hiring 6 of the same camera).

We have a Sony NEX-EA50, JVC HM600, Canon XA10, Canon XF100, Sony NX30 and a Canon 550D.

My question is, what's the best way to set these cameras up to give the editor the easiest possible job of matching the look of each cameras in post?

Any advice is much appreciated :)
Cheers

Christopher Young · February 25th, 2014, 04:30 AM

That is a tough one. At least white balance all the cameras at the same time on the same white source. That should get you pretty close on the 'video' cameras but not so sure about the DSLRs. Ignore any differing white balance readings between the cameras. As long as the cameras think the target is white and they balance for that you will at least have a rough starting point. Bare in mind this won't take into account chroma levels, black levels, gamma levels etc.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Jody Arnott · February 25th, 2014, 05:01 AM

Thanks for the tips, Christopher.

Unfortunately it won't be possible to white balance from the same source. It's an event spanning a distance of over 60 miles, so each camera op will be in a different location at any given time.

So it's not like a live performance or something where we'd have to match the cameras perfectly... we just need to get them reasonably close so the editor doesn't kill us :)

Daniel Epstein · February 25th, 2014, 09:00 AM

The editor will have to do most of the work if the cameras are not going to be in the same location to be compared. Probably a good ides to see if you can have the same gamma and pedestal settings somehow. Also decide if detail settings can be similar. Sometimes going by the book and just leaving things at the factory settings might be the way to go.

Warren Kawamoto · February 25th, 2014, 11:37 AM

The only thing I can think of in your situation would be to have every camera shoot factory default settings, then shoot the same color chart on location. Make your own color charts by getting red, blue, green, yellow, magenta, cyan, and several shades of white, black, and gray paper. Cut each color into 6 blocks, (make sure you use only 1 sheet per color, and cut them into 6 pieces) then paste them onto 6 boards, creating 6 identical charts. Have each camera operator shoot a full frame of the chart for 1 minute after white balancing at their location.

In post, the colors will not line up exactly in the vectorscope boxes, but the editor will at least be able to see where the differences occur between cameras and make adjustments.

Jody Arnott · February 25th, 2014, 09:27 PM

Thanks for those tips, much appreciated :)

Shaun Roemich · February 25th, 2014, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

Make your own color charts by getting red, blue, green, yellow, magenta, cyan, and several shades of white, black, and gray paper. Cut each color into 6 blocks, (make sure you use only 1 sheet per color, and cut them into 6 pieces) then paste them onto 6 boards, creating 6 identical charts.

Far from perfect but an interesting solution. Never thought of doing that before.

Tim Polster · February 26th, 2014, 10:12 AM

Head to your local hardware store and choose paint swatch cards. It is not MacBeth but it can serve the same purpose.

February 25th, 2014, 03:35 AM	#1
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Best way to match multiple cameras Hi all, I'm shooting a large event in a few weeks. We have a 6 camera crew, but budget is restricted so everyone is using their own cameras (rather than hiring 6 of the same camera). We have a Sony NEX-EA50, JVC HM600, Canon XA10, Canon XF100, Sony NX30 and a Canon 550D. My question is, what's the best way to set these cameras up to give the editor the easiest possible job of matching the look of each cameras in post? Any advice is much appreciated :) Cheers

February 25th, 2014, 04:30 AM	#2
Christopher Young Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,594	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras That is a tough one. At least white balance all the cameras at the same time on the same white source. That should get you pretty close on the 'video' cameras but not so sure about the DSLRs. Ignore any differing white balance readings between the cameras. As long as the cameras think the target is white and they balance for that you will at least have a rough starting point. Bare in mind this won't take into account chroma levels, black levels, gamma levels etc. Chris Young CYV Productions Sydney

February 25th, 2014, 05:01 AM	#3
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras Thanks for the tips, Christopher. Unfortunately it won't be possible to white balance from the same source. It's an event spanning a distance of over 60 miles, so each camera op will be in a different location at any given time. So it's not like a live performance or something where we'd have to match the cameras perfectly... we just need to get them reasonably close so the editor doesn't kill us :)

February 25th, 2014, 09:00 AM	#4
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras The editor will have to do most of the work if the cameras are not going to be in the same location to be compared. Probably a good ides to see if you can have the same gamma and pedestal settings somehow. Also decide if detail settings can be similar. Sometimes going by the book and just leaving things at the factory settings might be the way to go.

February 25th, 2014, 11:37 AM	#5
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras The only thing I can think of in your situation would be to have every camera shoot factory default settings, then shoot the same color chart on location. Make your own color charts by getting red, blue, green, yellow, magenta, cyan, and several shades of white, black, and gray paper. Cut each color into 6 blocks, (make sure you use only 1 sheet per color, and cut them into 6 pieces) then paste them onto 6 boards, creating 6 identical charts. Have each camera operator shoot a full frame of the chart for 1 minute after white balancing at their location. In post, the colors will not line up exactly in the vectorscope boxes, but the editor will at least be able to see where the differences occur between cameras and make adjustments.

February 25th, 2014, 09:27 PM	#6
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras Thanks for those tips, much appreciated :)

February 26th, 2014, 10:12 AM	#8
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Best way to match multiple cameras Head to your local hardware store and choose paint swatch cards. It is not MacBeth but it can serve the same purpose.