Re: Varicam electronic shutter switch question

Paul,

When you see the "180 deg" nominclature you are at the normal 1/48 second exposure of a film camera. Some people prefer 210 deg as this gives you a little more blur and exposure and again is a common film camera setting.

If the shutter on "off" you will be shooting with a completely open shutter of 1/24th (at 24 fps)if you choose.

As far as the studder; what you're looking at in the viewfinder and monitor includes the 2:3 pull down, so you are not really looking at the 24 fps speed (as you would for example with the Sony Cine Alta - where the flicker would definately be noticable). The visual effect is exactly what you will reproduce on a monitor or other 30 frame display device with your finished project.

Finally, as regards film rec and video rec; there does seem to be conflicting advice and oppinions regarding the best way to set up the camera for eventual film out. Some film out facilities (like eFilm) advise to shoot video rec as you intend. They say to make the video the best you can and they will do the rest. The film rec setting however has been designed to provide the greatest dynamic range possible with the camera and definately could make a better master for film out. The problem is that the image you'll be looking at on the monitor and on playback in editing will be slightly washed out and lacking in contrast (without the use of the gamma corrector). It's not really a matter of a Da Vinci. In practical use, the ideal is to use as little of the dynamic adjustment as is required in the scene. If there are no really bright elements in the scene and you can control the contrast by lighting set at 200%. If however there are bright windowns in the scene you might have to go all the way to 500%.

In addition when using film rec, I've found it useful to crush the gamma (to .65), press the blacks (sometimes all the way to -3)and also to crush the blacks. But be careful; these adjustments should be done on a shot-to-shot basis and definately with the use of a waveform monitor to keep the adjustments in range and consistent.

Ultimately, the best way to set the camera for your intended film out work flow is to shoot tests and determine what will work best for you and the particulars of your shoot and film out vendor. Sometimes the vendor can show you other's tests or finished projects to give you some guidance, but to proceed as you've suggested, based on heresay (this post included) could be a disastorous mistake!