V1 in low light: first true event impressions

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Let me guess: the oil paint effect!

I thought it looked like two people were trying to play it, one of them the wrong way round? :D

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

I think you've got the point here, Alex - the camera was not using any "cine" settings (gamma or colour), and the blacks were stretched (rather than compressed) on purpose. All this contributed to a more evenly lit atmosphere, which you may not like, but my point in posting those snapshots was just to show the level of noise.

Here is another lo-light snapshot, with quite the opposite settings: cinegamma, cinecolour and black compressed. The result is a contrasty video.

I agree absolutely - I wasn't criticizing your videography. Just observing that sometimes what we "expect" doesn't reflect reality.

[Tony Tremble]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Let me guess: the oil paint effect!

If you want to see the oil paint effect just look at EYP Evening6. Take particular notice of the bearded gentleman's jacket. I bet that looks dreadful in motion.

Then look at the wall to the left of the accordion player on the right of the screen. The oil paint/macroblocking effect is clearly seen on the wall.

TT

[Bill Busby]

Originally Posted by Tony Tremble

Then look at the wall to the left of the accordion player on the right of the screen. The oil paint/macroblocking effect is clearly seen on the wall. TT

Accordian? Where's that? I don't see an accordian in any of these stills.

Bill

*edit* ooops! Now I see the keyboard of it in the 3rd pic.

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Originally Posted by Tony Tremble

If you want to see the oil paint effect just look at EYP Evening6. Take particular notice of the bearded gentleman's jacket. I bet that looks dreadful in motion.

Then look at the wall to the left of the accordion player on the right of the screen. The oil paint/macroblocking effect is clearly seen on the wall.

TT

I can see those artefacts clearly, Tony. Let me remind you though that this particular snapshot was spoiled by the photographer's flash, superimposing for a split-second on the lighting that my camera was adjusted to - I guess you cannot blame the encoder for not being able to cope with that.

Please help me find similar spots on the other snapshots.

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

I can see those artefacts clearly, Tony.

I think this might just be the inherent noise-print of this camera. I've noticed that in V1 clips there is no real "grain", but the image almost shimmies. I think this becomes (in still grabs) the oil-paint effect. In Piotr's clip grabs here we're seeing this effect perhaps because this is pushing the exposure quite far.

It looks similar to the macroblocking effect seen in the shadows in the HVX.

[Zsolt Gordos]

Hi,

let me contribute to this thread with a couple of still grabs of my low light footage. Pls comment.

[Tony Tremble]

Zsolt

Lovely images but any reason why they are so soft?

TT

[Zsolt Gordos]

Originally Posted by Tony Tremble

Zsolt

Lovely images but any reason why they are so soft?

TT

Tony, it looks great and sharp when its a clip. However, avoiding hassle and artifacts I have shot them interlaced. Then to get a proper still, I did a fast deinterlacing with QT, and they became soft - but at least no "mice teeth" or what the heck the name for the interlaced artifact is.
Can you suggest a GOOD deinterlacing method or FCP plugin that renders sharper images?

[Tony Tremble]

No I don't Zsolt. But that explains things.

TT

PS that also explains why there is no oil paint effect. 50i is always superb.

[Zsolt Gordos]

I also find Piotr's stills pretty soft, except for the lady in front of the keyboard - thats sharper.

To be honest, the only sharp still from V1 I have ever seen was the "famous" one in Coffee Bean, shot by Steve Mullen. But thats V1U....

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Originally Posted by Zsolt Gordos

I also find Piotr's stills pretty soft, except for the lady in front of the keyboard - thats sharper.

To be honest, the only sharp still from V1 I have ever seen was the "famous" one in Coffee Bean, shot by Steve Mullen. But thats V1U....

Zsolt, mine were shot progressive with sharpness 3.

[Zsolt Gordos]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Zsolt, mine were shot progressive with sharpness 3.

I used interlaced with default sharpness (is it 7?)