EX-3 viewfinder lines question at DVinfo.net

Adam Stanislav · October 24th, 2009, 10:30 PM

I have ordered my EX-3 and it should ship tomorrow, so I should get it within a week or so. While I am waiting, I am hoping someone can answer a question about its viewfinder.

Specifically, if I want to shoot in the 1080p mode, but only want to use 810 lines (so, 1920x810 for a 2.37:1 result) of what it records, is there a way for me to tell by looking in the viewfinder where the top and the bottom of my 810-line image is, so I can frame it properly?

Also, would the result still be considered HD? Would it look good when transferred to 35 mm film? I realize there are many factors determining whether the result looks good, but for this discussion I am simply concerned with a sufficient resolution.

Andy Shipsides · October 24th, 2009, 10:52 PM

Adam

There are no user definable boxes markers on the EX3 viewfinder. To get an exact line I would setup a framing chart, determine my frame on the computer, and tape the lines on the VF. I've had a number of rental clients do this in the past for jobs that want a 2.35:1 frame.

To answer your second question, HD is most easily defined as video that is higher resolution then standard definition NTSC or PAL video. So 810 lines would be considered HD for sure, especially with it being higher res then 720 HD video.

Adam Stanislav · October 24th, 2009, 10:57 PM

Thanks, Andy. I appreciate the quick reply.

David C. Williams · October 24th, 2009, 11:10 PM

It's very close to 80%, so I use the top and bottom of the 80% safety marker for this sort of thing. 2.37 works out to 75%, so factor that in.

Adam Stanislav · October 25th, 2009, 08:15 AM

Thanks, David. So, there is an 80% marker? Yes, 75% is quite close to 80%. And if my calculations are correct, on a 3.5" 16:9 viewfinder, the difference would be about 2.18 mm, or 1.09 mm on the top and 1.09 mm on the bottom.

That helps a lot. Thank you.

October 24th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#1
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	EX-3 viewfinder lines question I have ordered my EX-3 and it should ship tomorrow, so I should get it within a week or so. While I am waiting, I am hoping someone can answer a question about its viewfinder. Specifically, if I want to shoot in the 1080p mode, but only want to use 810 lines (so, 1920x810 for a 2.37:1 result) of what it records, is there a way for me to tell by looking in the viewfinder where the top and the bottom of my 810-line image is, so I can frame it properly? Also, would the result still be considered HD? Would it look good when transferred to 35 mm film? I realize there are many factors determining whether the result looks good, but for this discussion I am simply concerned with a sufficient resolution.

October 24th, 2009, 10:52 PM	#2
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	Adam There are no user definable boxes markers on the EX3 viewfinder. To get an exact line I would setup a framing chart, determine my frame on the computer, and tape the lines on the VF. I've had a number of rental clients do this in the past for jobs that want a 2.35:1 frame. To answer your second question, HD is most easily defined as video that is higher resolution then standard definition NTSC or PAL video. So 810 lines would be considered HD for sure, especially with it being higher res then 720 HD video. __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

October 24th, 2009, 11:10 PM	#4
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	It's very close to 80%, so I use the top and bottom of the 80% safety marker for this sort of thing. 2.37 works out to 75%, so factor that in. __________________ www.davidwilliams.com.au

October 24th, 2009, 10:57 PM	#3
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	Thanks, Andy. I appreciate the quick reply.

October 25th, 2009, 08:15 AM	#5
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	Thanks, David. So, there is an 80% marker? Yes, 75% is quite close to 80%. And if my calculations are correct, on a 3.5" 16:9 viewfinder, the difference would be about 2.18 mm, or 1.09 mm on the top and 1.09 mm on the bottom. That helps a lot. Thank you.