Shutter settiing when shooting 24p

[John Sharaf]

The whole idea of shooting video at 24 fps (realy 23.97) is to recreate the look of film. This is accomplished with modern cameras like the two you mention with both electronic imitation (cine gamma look, etc) and by recreating the motion effect of a film camera.

On a film camera the default shutter setting is 180 degrees or 1/48th of a second at 24fps, so the default setting for this speed with your 24p camera should be the same.

For scenes where there is no movement (shooting still life or maybe some scenics) and it’s dark, you could turn the shutter “off” to gain some extra exposure, but be sure to turn it back on when you start shooting “normal” scenes again.

BTW, this also applies to shooting at 30 fps (really 29.97) and at 60 fps (really 59.94) when you’ll be using FRC for slow motion effects.

JS

JS

[Bob Birkett]

[john sharaf] “60 fps (really 59.94) when you’ll be using FRC for slow motion effects.”

John,
I have a question about the difference between the Varicam and the HDX900 regarding shooting for slow motion effects. My understanding is that one common setting for a Varicam would be 60p, with the intention of slowing down the footage later. My HDX900 also has a menu choice of 60p when in the 720p system mode. Is there any difference in these recordings from point of view of an editor wanting to slow the footage down?
Thanks,
Bob Birkett

[John Sharaf]

Hi Bob!

While I don’t have an HDX900 and do not consider myself an expert on that camera, I think it’s safe to assume that it does, like the Varicam, write “A” frame designations in the user bits so that, for example, at 24p, the discreet frames can be pulled out while importing into FCP to create a 24p timeline.

In the 720/60fps mode, the “A” frame will be written for each and every frame and FCP’s Frame Rate Converter (FRC) feature should be able to create a slomo into either a 24 or 30 timeline, as it does with Varicam footage. Please note that it’s a slower effect if put into a 24 timeline, namely 2.5 times as slo vs. 2 times at 30.

JS

[Robin Probyn]

Sir John

Thanks I was also wondering about this with the HDX900.Your explanations are very logical and easy to follow!

Thanks again

[Bob Birkett]

I think I get this “A” frame concept. Hopefully, the HDX900 uses it. I read over this Panasonic overview:
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/panasonic/drivers/pbts/papers/Overcrank-WP.pdf
which helped.
Many thanks,
Bob

[Chris Bierlein]

I have used the HDX at 60 FPS and converted it to slo-mo using the FRC. It works just like the Varicam. Also, on the HDX, the shutter setting is “Half”. This is the equivalent of the 180 degree setting on the Varicam.

CB

http://www.chrisbierlein.com