HV20 + lenses & optics at DVinfo.net

Pat Norris · January 11th, 2008, 01:36 PM

I was just curious on the HV20 if someone were to take it apart (not that I will mine) and fabricate a box to put the guts into, could it be possible to add lenses so one wouldn't have to flip the image in post? I was looking at the threads here on DVInfo and wondered how the XL1 and the higher end HD Sony cams are able to interchange lenses and get a correctly oriented image. Is this done with the optics, or is the flip done electronically. I tried to search, but wasn't sure exactly how to search.

Thank you.

Tony Markle · January 12th, 2008, 04:25 PM

I'm pretty sure it is done electronically. Whether the lens is fixed or interchangeable, the image is upside-down in the camera.

Chris Barcellos · January 12th, 2008, 05:40 PM

The XL1 and other HD cameras with interchangeable lenses are just like all video camera. The image reaches the imager upside down, and the digital image is laid out on the tape with image righted.

With 35mm adapters, one flips the image before it gets to the primary imager. So in affect there is a double flip of the image by the time it gets to the imager.

Don Miller · January 12th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Upside down is basic optics of lenses. Still cameras record the image upside down - film and digital. View cameras show the image upside down and backwards on the ground glass.

Pat Norris · January 12th, 2008, 08:48 PM

Thank for clearing that up. Too bad there is no option to right the image to tape for use with extra optics.

Ray Bell · January 12th, 2008, 09:51 PM

The flip is easy if you use Cineform.... Sometimes I put the camera on a mono pod and hang the camera upside down and get some nice shots that way.... you can get real close to the ground that way.... of course it gets
recorded upside down .... just let Cineform flip it during post....

Pat Norris · January 13th, 2008, 03:03 PM

I use Vegas and can flip the image, but if I add lenses to the HV20, I was just thinking of the preview monitor. If any panning is done, it would be reversed which might get confusing. Thanks to all for the replies.

Patrick

Deke Kincaid · January 13th, 2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Norris

I was just thinking of the preview monitor.

most external lcd preview monitors can be mounted upside down quite easily.

Pat Norris · January 14th, 2008, 07:47 AM

How awkward is panning on a preview monitor if the image is reversed?

Chris Barcellos · January 14th, 2008, 10:54 AM

My economy solution, as with many, is to build a mount to mount camera upside down. Then I monitor using monitor input on a DVD player. It has a flip image setting, but shooting the camera upside down rights the image anyway.

This cheap monitor solution is okay, but focusing the 35mm adapter is a real challenge, and that is why many with 35mm adapters are going to higher definition monitoring.

Pat Norris · January 14th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Thanks Chris.

I was also interested in the higher def monitoring. I was looking at a 19" Samsung with HDMI, or something up to 24" for easy portability to go with an adapter that I might add in the future. I remember seeing an article about George Lucas using large monitors for the latest Star Wars to view on. Since the cameras used had interchangable lenses it was no problem with screen orientation. With an adapter and camera mounted upside-down, there is still a reverse left to right if panning is done on the HV20. I have a projector that has the capability to flip horizontal and vertical, but I am not sure if many LCD or plasma screens have that capability. If the larger than 24" have flip options then I will have to save for a larger display.

patrick

January 11th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#1
Pat Norris New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin texas Posts: 10	HV20 + lenses & optics I was just curious on the HV20 if someone were to take it apart (not that I will mine) and fabricate a box to put the guts into, could it be possible to add lenses so one wouldn't have to flip the image in post? I was looking at the threads here on DVInfo and wondered how the XL1 and the higher end HD Sony cams are able to interchange lenses and get a correctly oriented image. Is this done with the optics, or is the flip done electronically. I tried to search, but wasn't sure exactly how to search. Thank you. Last edited by Pat Norris; January 11th, 2008 at 01:37 PM. Reason: clarification

January 12th, 2008, 05:40 PM	#3
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	The XL1 and other HD cameras with interchangeable lenses are just like all video camera. The image reaches the imager upside down, and the digital image is laid out on the tape with image righted. With 35mm adapters, one flips the image before it gets to the primary imager. So in affect there is a double flip of the image by the time it gets to the imager. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 14th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#10
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	My economy solution, as with many, is to build a mount to mount camera upside down. Then I monitor using monitor input on a DVD player. It has a flip image setting, but shooting the camera upside down rights the image anyway. This cheap monitor solution is okay, but focusing the 35mm adapter is a real challenge, and that is why many with 35mm adapters are going to higher definition monitoring. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 12th, 2008, 04:25 PM	#2
Tony Markle New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nanoose Bay, Canada Posts: 17	I'm pretty sure it is done electronically. Whether the lens is fixed or interchangeable, the image is upside-down in the camera.

January 12th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#4
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	Upside down is basic optics of lenses. Still cameras record the image upside down - film and digital. View cameras show the image upside down and backwards on the ground glass.

January 12th, 2008, 08:48 PM	#5
Pat Norris New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin texas Posts: 10	Thank for clearing that up. Too bad there is no option to right the image to tape for use with extra optics.

January 12th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#6
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	The flip is easy if you use Cineform.... Sometimes I put the camera on a mono pod and hang the camera upside down and get some nice shots that way.... you can get real close to the ground that way.... of course it gets recorded upside down .... just let Cineform flip it during post....

January 13th, 2008, 03:03 PM	#7
Pat Norris New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin texas Posts: 10	I use Vegas and can flip the image, but if I add lenses to the HV20, I was just thinking of the preview monitor. If any panning is done, it would be reversed which might get confusing. Thanks to all for the replies. Patrick

January 14th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#9
Pat Norris New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin texas Posts: 10	How awkward is panning on a preview monitor if the image is reversed?

January 14th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#11
Pat Norris New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin texas Posts: 10	Thanks Chris. I was also interested in the higher def monitoring. I was looking at a 19" Samsung with HDMI, or something up to 24" for easy portability to go with an adapter that I might add in the future. I remember seeing an article about George Lucas using large monitors for the latest Star Wars to view on. Since the cameras used had interchangable lenses it was no problem with screen orientation. With an adapter and camera mounted upside-down, there is still a reverse left to right if panning is done on the HV20. I have a projector that has the capability to flip horizontal and vertical, but I am not sure if many LCD or plasma screens have that capability. If the larger than 24" have flip options then I will have to save for a larger display. patrick