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HDV Camera or DSLR
I’ve got an upcoming (very) low-budget commercial shoot. The clip is intended to be shown on the web and to be screened (digitally) in local movie-theaters.
My producer (who is – well, normally I would say a loony, but since he pays my cheques…) won’t rent a “real” HD cam, but is about to use one of the company-cameras. Well… He’s the boss…
They’ve got the Sony Z1 (which I know very well), a 5DMkII (I’ve got a T2i myself and worked with the 7D a quite couple of times). A third option would be to use my own Sony V1.The shoot itself will not be too complicated. Very static pictures, a bit outdoors, a bit indoors. Very little postproduction, “just” colour correction.
My primary concern is picture quality on the big screen. So focussing will be a big issue, but I think I can handle that with either of the cameras.
What would you guys advise to use? What would you think will look best (in terms of the “technical” side of picture quality) on the big screen? Do you think, the lower horizontal resolution of the HDVs will be much of an issue?
Thanks in advance!
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18 Replies
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Hi Peter,
The chief projectionist at the first fully digital cinema complex in Australia has told me he can easily project the video from a NIKON equivalent to the 5D Mark II on his 70 foot widescreens using the Hard Drive set up as per the “FILMS: from Hollywood. So , that would be 1920 x 1080i, the HDV is 1440 x 1080i (Anamorphic) which expands to 1920 x 1080. On a TV 46 ” set HD you cannot tell the difference.But, others will tell you they can ?
He tells me the colour from a high definition screening is not as good as 35 mm film stock and I agree with him , I have been in the business.May be some one in the industry can give you better advice.
Freelance Imaging & Video
AUSTRALIA -
“Do you think, the lower horizontal resolution of the HDVs will be much of an issue?”
Yes!
Kind regards from Denmark,
Claus Frederiksen
http://www.frederiksenproductions.dk -
That’s a clear statement! Thanks, Claus!
So, on the “resolution-side”, it’s the DSLR. -
Thanks, Bob!
That’s exactly one of my concerns. Anamorphic “yes” or “no”…
I really like the Sony HDVs (I think I spent more time with them, than with my wife… 😉 and I like the Canons as well (I spent a bit less time with them, but only because I bought my T2i only a few months ago…), especially for their bigger chips and all of the possibilities with the interchangeable lenses, DOF, etc…
So, for me the big questionmark is the sheer picture quality on the big screen.
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What I wrote is covered in above posts
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My pleasure!
Yes, and “the look” as well: check this one here: https://vimeo.com/7058755 and here:https://vimeo.com/14428901.
Thats why I would go with 5D (… and I am getting one next week 🙂
Kind regards from Denmark,
Claus Frederiksen
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I adore the Canons as well for their looks, Claus! Yes, it’s very, very tempting to just say “I’m taking the 5D!”
But I have no experience with the big screen, never seen any DLSR footage screened.
What I know is, that HDV – if you treat it right – can look awesome in movie theatres.
If the 5D footage will be at least that good – no question: I’m taking the 5D.But if I have compression artifacts or other issues… hmmm…
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Hi peter,
Both formats are compressed, pretty hard. But the colors and DOP on the 5D is waaay better. Even if you get your hands on a good lens for the HDV.
I know a few films in Scandinavia, Island and Finland has been shot on the 5D and 7D. https://twitchfilm.com/news/2010/05/more-scandinavian-crime-drama-city-state-from-iceland.php (..the link is from the tv version/series)
All the best…
Kind regards from Denmark,
Claus Frederiksen
http://www.frederiksenproductions.dk -
Another argument for the 5D. Thanks!
Yes, I think I’ll use the Canon.
Compression was my argument against either of the cameras and for a “real” HD-Cam.
Thanks Claus!
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Watched the videos, Claus! Great!
Yeah, I think I go with aesthetics… Even if there should be some small tech-issues (which I don’t believe, because DSLR footage has a much higher bandwith than HDV) – to heck with it!
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