Panasonic VariCam Noise

[Chris Bell]

I have found that setting-up the Varicam with a good chart (DSC) removed most of the noise. Using the film mode also helps. There is also the Dark Compression option… I leave it on all the time on my camera.

Chris Bell

[Leo Ticheli]

I also leave the Dark mode on all the time.

Setting up a VariCam is not such an easy task; you need patience, experience, a very good monitor, scopes, and, of course, DSC charts.

Plan on spending a good deal of time doing the setup.

If you don’t feel confident, hire a qualified camera engineer experienced with the VariCam; mistakes can have rather tragic consequences. I’ve heard certain errors can require a trip to Japan to fix!

We recently upgraded to the “H” model and it seems much cleaner, although I’ve not done comprehensive tests as I’ve really change my setup philosophy and preferences a good bit.

Good shooting!

Leo

[Carpetbagger]

Thanks for the response guys. I actually do have DSC charts, scopes etc and am spending alot of time with the cameras most every day. Maybe I am being too critical about the image. As I make adjustments and vary looks I can lessen it. However, the noise is much more prominent as you go from 60 to 24 so maybe it is just the frame processing.? What is the Dark Mode you are referring to? Is it literally “Dark Mode” (haven’t seen it) or are you referring to other settings?
Thanks!!

[Chris Bell]

The dark compression is in the VTR menus. If your camera does not have this feature it is available from Panasonic as a software upgrade.

Chris Bell

[Carpetbagger]

I see the dark compression setting but haven’t noticed any impact from it. I will keep checking it out in various settings. Otherwise, I guess its just whats there in Video rec Gamma especially at 24 frames. Thanks for the input Chris and Leo it really is appreciated.

[Carpetbagger]

I see the dark compression setting but haven’t noticed any impact from it. I will keep checking it out in various settings. Otherwise, I guess its just whats there in Video rec Gamma especially at 24 frames. Thanks for the input Chris and Leo it really is appreciated.

[Bruce Greene]

Dear Mr. Carpetbagger,

I’ve noticed the same thing about the noise, but there is a way around it sort of.

First off, the noise is most obvious in Vid Rec mode. Vid Rec mode is the gamma menu mode which is most like the Cine Alta. At first I was really bummed because I own the Varicam and thought I’d made a mistake here.

But after some more thought, the cameras are a little more alike noise wise.

At 0 db gain on the f-900 the ISO is about 320. On the Varicam, 0 db gain is about ISO 800. Quite a bit of difference in light sensitivity. So, if shooting with the Varicam in Vid Rec mode, use -3db gain only to minimize noise. -3db gain still results in an ISO of 640 which would equal about +6db gain on the f-900.

That said, in Vid Rec mode on the Varicam even -3db gain is a bit noisy in the shadows. To improve on this further, one must shoot in the Film Rec mode.

The Film Rec mode is designed to shoot at higher dynamic ranges than normal. The idea is to capture a flat, low contrast image, and adjust the look in post or a film out. Film Rec mode allows a choice of four dynamic range settings: 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%. The idea is that 200% means that you record twice the dynamic range of standard video (with knee off) and 500% is 5 times the dynamic range etc. The limitation of this mode is that there is no Knee adjustment allowed (note that manual knee must be turned on in the menu to activate the dynamic range settings in Film Rec mode though).

For Film Rec mode, Panasonic seems to suggest that one expose as if the sensitivity of the camera is ISO 640. This will leave the most of the image at low IRE range on the waveform and allow a very large ceiling for highlights. The result is that images look dark on the monitor and need a significant gamma adjustment in post to make them look “normal”. This gamma correction will also magnify the noise back to the level seen when shooting in the Vid Rec mode (along with additional increase in the visibility of compression artifacts).

Another way to use the Film Rec mode is to try for a Wysiwyg approach. IOW, expose and adjust the gamma in the camera so that it looks “normal” on the monitor. And this method really reduces the noise to f-900 levels. For starters I would try setting the dynamic range to 300% and the gamma to 55 or even 60. This will produce a very noise free image. The drawback is that you’ll be shooting now at ISO 250 at -3db gain. At 0db gain, you’ll be shooting at ISO 320 which will still be noise free and the same sensitivity as the f-900. The 2nd drawback is that you will not have any knee adjustment, but you can always lower the gamma setting a bit and stop the lens down to capture highlights. On the plus side, you won’t see any of the funny color shifts one often sees at the knee point because there is no knee point.

About the “compression mode – dark” setting: To see it’s effect, you must record the scene onto tape and play it back. This setting does not effect the live image at all. I’ve played with this recently and have not really been able to play back the footage on set to really learn how much it helps the compression artifacts in the dark areas. I would definitely turn it on when shooting low key scenes. On a day exterior it would be hard to see, but might negatively effect compression in the highlights. Anyone with more experience here is welcome to comment on the compression mode setting.

[Carpetbagger]

Bruce,
Thanks for your input, I wasn’t aware the ISO was in the 800 range on the Varicam. I will work your info into my tests and look forward to the results.
THANKS!
Mr. Carpetbagger