[Tony]

Various “ASA” rating will result depending on numeorus internal DSP settings in the camera. Best advice is to conduct a test by employing an experienced/qualified video engineer or video controller to set up your camera and verify the “ASA” rating. Tools required will be a HDSDI waveform monitor (ie Leader 5700A or 5750, DSC cam align chart, two tungsen lights).

As far as reducing noise in the shadow areas avoid shooting with “F” or prior versions of Varicam instead use the “H” model and dark compression. FYI HDX-900 is much cleaner than “F” as well as prior versions of the Varicam which overall I find quite disappointing in terms of overall noise in the shadow areas.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

If you are really concerned about quality and could afford it you might consider going 10 or 8 bit 1080 uncompressed for the online and color correction.

But since you can’t afford it you will have to settle for what is in your budget which it looks like editing in the dvcprohd codec is the way to go.

The sad truth of the matter is many independents dream of getting their project out to film but the reality is they never do due to the cost involved.

So I have to ask if you don’t have the money or resources to go uncompressed then where does the money to do the film out magically appear from?

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Ball park was not occupied. Production company paid for the location exclusively for copervision to fly around diamond.

Extreme care and caution was taken during the flights.

No one was except main talent who was stationary was allowed to in immediate area where helicopter was flying.

Crew of three handled helicopter flight operation.

FYI the helicopter landed every single time between takes to avoid it being in the air for extended periods of time.

Then each time it took off again a very detailed safe flight plan and check were done.

The “pilot” had full control and authority to shut down and land anytime he felt it was unsafe.
In fact once the helicopter is ready to take off you cannot speak or distract the “pilot” at anytime the copter is flying.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

WFM on LH900 is a joke for serious applications where you need to look at RGB channels etc not just luminance channel.

Worthless in my work for shading single or multi camera jobs.

Best units to use are Leader 5700A or 5750 wfm’s. Not cheap but very powerful to get the job done for numerous applications.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

I have been on shoot where coptervision was hired and let me tell you that flying any helicopter in a small location takes expertise and attention to safety for all involved. Fast, good and inexpensive are three factors that do not enter into formula unless you want quick, bad, and expensive accidents or lawsuits to occur as a result of not hiring a qualified company to operate the equipment.

Safety is paramount on set when flying the helicopter so don’t try to pressure or convince the operator to cut corners.

The images themselves are awesome and the tight spaces the small helicopter can operate in is quite impressive.

My shoot was inside a baseball park stadium where it would have been impossible to fly a full sized helicopter.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Ray,

Tell the vendor the balance of your check will on back order also until you receive the VF.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Wayne,

I feel your pain but can offer this comfort.

Download Carbon Copy Cloner and use it religiously to make a clone of your boot drive complete with all your applications, files, user pref’s etc etc.

CCC will save you time and time again when you have a need to start up again without having to reassemble all those precious app’s and files.

Do a google search for Carbon Copy Cloner and download it for free.

Good luck,

Tony Salgado

ps- Apple care is wonderful for hearing them say repeatly “did you trash your preferences?

[Tony]

Wayne,

I feel your pain but can offer this comfort.

Download Carbon Copy Cloner and use it religiously to make a clone of your boot drive complete with all your applications, files, user pref’s etc etc.

CCC will save you time and time again when you have a need to start up again without having to reassemble all those precious app’s and files.

Do a google search for Carbon Copy Cloner and download it for free.

Good luck,

Tony Salgado

ps- Apple care is wonderful for hearing them say repeatly “did you trash your preferences?

[Tony]

Wayne,

I feel your pain but can offer this comfort.

Download Carbon Copy Cloner and use it religiously to make a clone of your boot drive complete with all your applications, files, user pref’s etc etc.

CCC will save you time and time again when you have a need to start up again without having to reassemble all those precious app’s and files.

Do a google search for Carbon Copy Cloner and download it for free.

Good luck,

Tony Salgado

ps- Apple care is wonderful for hearing them say repeatly “did you trash your preferences?

[Tony]

Bob,

I don’t know what you mean no fun by as working with solid experienced professionals who can hyperdrive a production to obtain stellar lighting results is well worth it for productions which need not invest in capital equipment and expenses.

The no fun part is being stuck with the inproper gear, tool sets and experience level under a pending deadline.

You can either plan to fail or plan to succeed. So regardless of what you do allow enough time to research and develop the right workflow and gear for your future productions.

Tony Salgado