Filmlike gamma modes vs Film Rec

[John Sharaf]

Using Film Rec is fine, even if you’re not going to do extensive color correction in post, especially if you invoke the range most appropriate to the scene at hand. That means that if there is not a lot of highlight you should use the smallest amount of dynamic range (200%) and if you’re shooting a contrasty scene outside in the sun you should use the 500% setting.

In addition when ever you use Film Rec in the “what you see is what you get” environment, you should consider crushing the gamma from the normal .45 setting to .50 or even .55. This will restore some of the blacks that the Film Rec otherwise raises. You might also want to tweak the master ped.

The problem with all this is that it’s not a simple matter; for each shot you should consider what the appropraite dynamic range and gamma is, and be aware that in making cahnges you’ll also be affecting the color saturation (more DR less color, lower gamma crossover more color), so you might be creating problems that will need to addressed in post color correction; which is what you wanted to avoid in the first place!

There is no free lunch; either you spend the time in a laboratory environment with the scopes and charts, learning the effects of the DR, Gamma, Master Ped, etc. so that you can use them predictably in the field, have a DIT painting the camera scene-by-scene, do extensive color correction in post or leave the camera in Video Menu. The more you experiment and learn these features ultimately the better you’ll be able to use your Varicam, but be careful, because you can do more damage than help until then.

JS

[Tony]

It is all a matter of personal professional experience and comfort level with the tools at hand.

There are no wrongs or rights just methods to maximize your end results with each tool.

Color correction in the field or later in post is subject to an individuals workflow, budget and turnaround time frame.

Just to be clear I did not advise not using film rec for a tv project as myself and many others have done so successfully. It is just a matter of understanding what occurs when using the different film rec or video rec settings and correctly applying that knowledge to the intended end result.

Quite honestly nothing can be cheated and requires testing both in the field and in post to fully understand what you can do, what you should not do, and what you could have done to further maximize your creative and technical goals.\
The knowledge and skill gained through documenting your testing along with the data gained will be invaluable long term through out your professional career.

In closing the use of a waveform monitor along with a DSC cam align chart will go a long way to understand what is occuring when you use the different modes with the Varicam or HDX 900.

Both cameras are not “fisher price” toys and should not be treated as such if you want to grasp what it takes to “unleash” the full potential of either camera.

Make a sincere effort to seek out the resources, equipment, and personell needed to fully understand the cameras and you thank yourself forever.

Tony Salgado

[Peter Steinman]

I would highly recommend new HDX900 owners consider attending a Varicamp. It’s no replacement for a good dit or years in the field but it will help a lot. I’d guess they are already working on integrating the HDX900 into their curriculum or I hope they are. Its will all relate anyway/ The workshops are actually a lot of fun.

Although, if you go to the Burbank one you might think about bringing your own folding chair (or one of those cushions you get at the ballpark ). Pretty sure what they consider chairs would be prohibited under article 3 of the Geneva convention.

[Robin Probyn]

Thanks…good advise ofcourse…Iam in a non English speaking environment so its alot harder,if I were at home I,d go to good rental house to answer any of my postings.
Which is why this forum is of great value to me. I still havnt found out how to Regen time code with the varicam,Iam not an owner and the guy at the rental place just doesnt know?

Anyway thanks again