Lowlight settings for Panasonic SDX900? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Ray · March 2nd, 2006, 09:42 AM

Hey all,

I'm shooting a music video this weekend (3/4/05) with the SDX900 + Pro35 adapter with Zeiss lenses. This will be my first time using the camera for an actual shoot and I was just wondering if anyone had some pre-set settings that might be helping when customizing the SDX900 before I start shooting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Benjamin Kantor · March 3rd, 2006, 01:02 AM

I used the same setup for a music video last month. I used the 'Vivid' scene file available from Panasonic and made only a few adjustments. I rated the camera at 200 ASA using this setup, and was able to use a studio 2k as my key light for the entire band... so it's pretty effective in relatively low light (25fc was key level). I shot it at a T2, so I could have probably even used the Zeiss standard speeds instead of the superspeeds. If it's in your budget, I also recommend getting the paintbox. Hope that helps.

Jeff Ray · March 3rd, 2006, 10:47 AM

Hey Benjamin,

Thanks for the tips man. Any chance I could take a look at the video so I can see what my footage might look like (quality-wise)? If not, maybe a couple of stills from the video? Either way, thanks again.

Also, if I shoot in 24p mode, would I want to shoot any planned slow-mo shots in 60i? Would that match the 24p footage once it's slowed down?

Benjamin Kantor · March 3rd, 2006, 01:22 PM

Jeff-

The 60i for slo-mo doesnt work quite as well with SD as it does with HD, simply because you're now talking about 240 lines, which is dreadfully low... so I wouldn't recommend it. For slo-mo, I use "smart" motion estimation in Shake. After Effects may also have something similar, though I'm not sure.

The video isn't released yet but I can give you a few stills. I've put them here for a few days.

March 2nd, 2006, 09:42 AM	#1
Jeff Ray Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 49	Lowlight settings for Panasonic SDX900? Hey all, I'm shooting a music video this weekend (3/4/05) with the SDX900 + Pro35 adapter with Zeiss lenses. This will be my first time using the camera for an actual shoot and I was just wondering if anyone had some pre-set settings that might be helping when customizing the SDX900 before I start shooting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

March 3rd, 2006, 01:02 AM	#2
Benjamin Kantor Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 43	I used the same setup for a music video last month. I used the 'Vivid' scene file available from Panasonic and made only a few adjustments. I rated the camera at 200 ASA using this setup, and was able to use a studio 2k as my key light for the entire band... so it's pretty effective in relatively low light (25fc was key level). I shot it at a T2, so I could have probably even used the Zeiss standard speeds instead of the superspeeds. If it's in your budget, I also recommend getting the paintbox. Hope that helps. __________________ Benjamin Kantor - Cinematographer cineBlog

March 3rd, 2006, 01:22 PM	#4
Benjamin Kantor Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 43	Jeff- The 60i for slo-mo doesnt work quite as well with SD as it does with HD, simply because you're now talking about 240 lines, which is dreadfully low... so I wouldn't recommend it. For slo-mo, I use "smart" motion estimation in Shake. After Effects may also have something similar, though I'm not sure. The video isn't released yet but I can give you a few stills. I've put them here for a few days. __________________ Benjamin Kantor - Cinematographer cineBlog

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March 3rd, 2006, 10:47 AM	#3
Jeff Ray Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 49	Hey Benjamin, Thanks for the tips man. Any chance I could take a look at the video so I can see what my footage might look like (quality-wise)? If not, maybe a couple of stills from the video? Either way, thanks again. Also, if I shoot in 24p mode, would I want to shoot any planned slow-mo shots in 60i? Would that match the 24p footage once it's slowed down?