Comments

farss wrote on 12/8/2007, 5:48 PM
I've never seen a camera that has those, period!
Histograms, false colour metering, RGB parade yes and our SI-2K even has a sharpness meter for judging focus. Waveform monitors are used for checking more than just video like we're used to, there's also sync pulse levels etc to check.

Where you will see those kinds of instruments is with cameras that use CCUs. The guys (CCU Operator(s)) in the control room / OB Van control the parameters of the camera while the cameraperson worries about getting the shot. You are talking serious money for such setups.

If you want these tools on set there's a number of HD monitors with them built in, Cinetal do such a monitor, you're looking at around $30K for the basic unit with all of those scopes built in.

Bob.
masmedia wrote on 12/8/2007, 6:47 PM
yeah, on board waveform would be wonderful, but like you said, it's more of a ccu item and they are mega bucks!
Guess zebra stripes will have to suffice for now.
Bill Ravens wrote on 12/8/2007, 6:47 PM
I'd LOVE to have a camera with a RT histogram. I saw one reviewed, think it maight be an EX, not sure tho'.





farss wrote on 12/8/2007, 7:02 PM
Histograms are fairly common, V1 has them, maybe the Z1?, EX1 does. And on most (all?) of them you also get a marker to show you where your zebras are set to.

I used to wonder why these weren't on every camera until we had a client complain that our PD150 was broke, I mean just look at all those ugly patterns all over peoples shirts, and the only way to fix it was to turn on that ND2 thing.

Bob.
MH_Stevens wrote on 12/9/2007, 12:56 AM
Histograms would do me fine - I DONT ned extra equipment as I'm in the field alone. The V1 is a step down, so where is the histogram with a step up?
farss wrote on 12/9/2007, 2:43 AM
I wouldn't call the V1 a step down from the Z1 personally but I can see why others might. The EX1 would fill your needs I think, assuming you can live without tape.

Bob.
baysidebas wrote on 12/9/2007, 6:26 AM
I get that functionality and much more from my $400 laptop with Adobe On Location [neè DVRack, and HDRack] installed. Not only is it portable among any FireWire equipped cameras, but I record directly to a USB2 portable drive and I'm not restricted by the MiniDV cassette length for long recording sessions. Also, it's a joy to not have to capture the tapes afterwards. Among other bonuses, the monitoring of the video on the 15" widescreen display sure beats the hell out of using the built-in viewfinders.
Bill Ravens wrote on 12/9/2007, 6:44 AM
as long as you don't mind lugging a laptop around, waiting for it to boot, providing power for the beast. I'd hate to have to deal with that on a guerilla shoot.
baysidebas wrote on 12/9/2007, 8:36 AM
I get a lot of benefits for the slight inconvenience. True, it isn't for everyone's shoots, but in my case it works so well that I can only wish I had it twenty years ago. I had misgivings about yet another equipment case, but the laptop in a lightweight case hasn't been a problem at all. As to booting, 30 seconds isn't a hardship at all. And having up to 35 seconds of pre-roll memory is a godsend when things happen quickly. Does your tape equipped camera have that?

I agree with your assessment of "guerrilla" video making, but if you use a tripod for your camera, adding a laptop to the kit is no big deal.
MH_Stevens wrote on 12/9/2007, 9:25 AM
bayside:

I work in the outback/wilderness alone in bright sun and while I just love OnLocation for me it was a nightmare, but I did have a heavy 17" laptop. What laptop do you have?

Where do you mount the laptop? I have a metal stand for it but it is difficult to carry around!

What power source do you use? Do you have to carry 5 or 6 batteries?

Thanks,

Mike
baysidebas wrote on 12/9/2007, 10:02 AM
I feel for you, do you use a folding tent to make the screen readable?. I use a relatively lightweight Toshiba Satellite A135 [on sale at Office Depot last summer for $380, 1.6 GHz single core Celeron, 512MB RAM, 80 GB HD, just fine for SD but lacking for HD] had to add a $20 FireWire PC card to it . On my static interview shoots I use a music stand and have AC available, the lip comes in very handy and I wrapped a length of skidproof shelf liner on it to keep the laptop from sliding.. Those are the interviews for movies101.org. Sometimes when on location at an adhoc venue I use a folding resin table instead. Since late summer I've shot 19 interviews using OnLocation and it's worked very well for me.
MH_Stevens wrote on 12/9/2007, 10:59 AM
Thanks Baysidebas.

Bob: I checked out the EX1. Z1 on steroids. 1080p, true 24p, knee, four gamas, black level and my beloved histogram.

I always regretted getting the FX1 over the Z1 so now is my time to make good. I think this is what it wil be. Thanks Bob.

Anyone want a FX1 with only 15 hours usage? Looks new in original bax? $2500 and it comes with spare big batery and sony HD tapes and sony filter set.