Learning more about camera settings...
by Bob Pierce
on
Jun 10, 2008 at 4:28:56 pm
Hi Everyone,
I've been casting about looking for information regarding learning more about camera setups and such. In particular, I'd like to learn how to match cameras, tweak color and gamma settings in the field and work towards creative looks.
Also, any suggested books on the subject would be greatly appreciated. I just read Scott Billups "Digital Moviemaking", which is a great all-around intro to digital cinema.
THANKS!
Bob Pierce
Mac Pro 2.66 - 8GB memory - Mac OS 10.5.2 - Quicktime 7.4.5
Mac Book Pro 2.33 Duo
FC Studio 2 (Final Cut 6.0.3)
Kona Lhe
Adobe Production Suite CS3
Sony Multiformat 14" Panasonic 42" Plasma
Ikegami HLDV7 - Pvw EX-1
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by Bob Pierce on Jun 11, 2008 at 12:50:16 pm
Thanks Steve,
Yes, I had read those posts, and I've messed around quite a bit with the picture profile settings. In addition to the EX1, I have an Ikegami HLDV7, which has been my main camera and was professionally set up for me by Macie Video Service here in Boston. Among the settings he put on it is a "film look" that I basically use all the time. In particular what I like about it is the film-like contrast, as opposed to the typical video. I've played around with the detail settings and sometimes adjust the pedestal, but other than that, I'm frankly intimidated by the whole thing and would love to get a better understanding of all the options.
I don't own a color chart or any test equipment, but was thinking of investing in this stuff in an effort to take my shooting beyond where I am now. You can achieve amazing things with lighting and filters but I'm curious to see what more is possible.
Thanks!
Bob Pierce
Mac Pro 2.66 - 8GB memory - Mac OS 10.5.2 - Quicktime 7.4.5
Mac Book Pro 2.33 Duo
FC Studio 2 (Final Cut 6.0.3)
Kona Lhe
Adobe Production Suite CS3
Sony Multiformat 14" Panasonic 42" Plasma
Ikegami HLDV7 - Pvw EX-1
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by gary adcock on Jun 11, 2008 at 9:08:08 pm
[Bob Pierce]" don't own a color chart or any test equipment, but was thinking of investing in this stuff in an effort to take my shooting beyond where I am now"
There is no better investment than a set of the Cam Align or a specific DSC chart, but understanding the usage of those does take a little time, however if you rent regularly - most rental houses will let you use their bays to setup and test, and if you do not, often you can rent time with a tech to be shown the ropes.
Waveform and vector scopes are also vital, but speaking from experience it does take a little time to figure out the intricacies of working with one, but once you know how to work a scope you can do absolutely amazing things with them, #1 is the the ability to open up the color space and increase the Saturation of your imagery.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by Bob Pierce on Jun 13, 2008 at 2:17:34 pm
Thank you Gary. Why yes of course I do work with a rental house (Rule Broadcast here in Boston is fantastic). It never crossed my mind to ask them if I could do some adjusting there, so thanks for the suggestion. I guess it's kind of arcane knowledge I'm after, but it surprises me that there isn't specific training out there, or at least a book on the subject.
Bob
Mac Pro 2.66 - 8GB memory - Mac OS 10.5.2 - Quicktime 7.4.5
Mac Book Pro 2.33 Duo
FC Studio 2 (Final Cut 6.0.3)
Kona Lhe
Adobe Production Suite CS3
Sony Multiformat 14" Panasonic 42" Plasma
Ikegami HLDV7 - Pvw EX-1
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by gary adcock on Jun 13, 2008 at 2:54:43 pm
[Bob Pierce]"it surprises me that there isn't specific training out there, or at least a book on the subject. "
there is, however it is spread across many forums and media - I know Vortex media has an EX1 disk out as Doug Jensen is one of the consultants for the EX.
As for a book- there are a number available from Focal press and specific info in the ASC camera guides.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by Bob Pierce on Jun 14, 2008 at 5:38:32 pm
Thanks Gary. I'll look around and post back if I find a book (or video) that's a good overview of this stuff for non-technical geniuses like me. I may call the Maine Workshops and find out more about their advanced digital cinema course.
Thanks!
Bob
Mac Pro 2.66 - 8GB memory - Mac OS 10.5.2 - Quicktime 7.4.5
Mac Book Pro 2.33 Duo
FC Studio 2 (Final Cut 6.0.3)
Kona Lhe
Adobe Production Suite CS3
Sony Multiformat 14" Panasonic 42" Plasma
Ikegami HLDV7 - Pvw EX-1
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by JB Letchinger on Jun 21, 2008 at 6:03:16 pm
Bob,
Grab any color chart you can get - even an old Macbeth you can borrow from an out of work A.C. -
start playing with the RGB controls and the gamma - really crank them one way and they other...
you will see the differences quickly, and learn what they do...
get a big color photo/beer poster or whatever of a person for skin tone, to put next to it - as that's usually the main concern....
What I do for my gear (not the DV stuff - but the full size cameras) is to have a DIT/Camera tech do a baseline, rich setup (something I'm happy with - you can do this in a supervised environment - paying an hourly rate - like 1 hour)- save it to a card - - then change it around when necessary.... most issues can be fixed with black level, gamma only when a special look is called for, detail (for wrinkly older talent when I haven't a filter on hand) and white balance --- since the EX can't save looks to a card use another method (Picture Profile/Hard copy)
I use 2" square swatch books to warm up looks -old school- other people use warm cards -- same deal...
others use the RGB Gains. Matching is where your camera setting knowledge is tested --.
especially trying to match different types of cameras (total headache for the average DP).
Then you have to get into Matrix settings which is where you need your engineering experience.....
I did the HD Workshop offered through the HD Expo people -- Gary and other top professionals really helped my engineering skills. Thanks Gary!
Re: Learning more about camera settings... by Bob Pierce on Jun 27, 2008 at 12:53:27 am
Thanks for the input, JB. These are great suggestions. You're basically describing the method I've used for the last few years with my Ikegami - a nice look pre-set by a pro, and subtle tweaks to the pedestal and white balance a bit in the field. Would love to try HD Expo...
Bob
Mac Pro 2.66 - 8GB memory - Mac OS 10.5.2 - Quicktime 7.4.5
Mac Book Pro 2.33 Duo
FC Studio 2 (Final Cut 6.0.3)
Kona Lhe
Adobe Production Suite CS3
Sony Multiformat 14" Panasonic 42" Plasma
Ikegami HLDV7 - Pvw EX-1
