A1 Formats at DVinfo.net

Ryan Schultz · February 13th, 2007, 08:06 PM

Hey Everyone!

So, I recieve my A1 Tommorow afternoon, and i've never been more exicted!!! So quick question.....

What are the different formats (60i, 30F, 24F) used for? For example what are the pros and cons of each format and what format is best used for what? Also, anything else i should know tomorow once i finally get my camera and start messing around? Any immediate settings, etc. i should know? Thanks for everything guys!!!!

Kevin Wild · February 13th, 2007, 08:24 PM

Just play around with it and you'll quickly see the differences.

We never shoot 60i anymore. It just looks way too "video" for nearly everything we do. I suppose if you do sports, you might want it, or if you want the hyper-realistic look, it's good.

More importantly, be sure you get into the preset, custom settings and tweak the heck out of them. Canon's are notorious for coming out of the box pretty bland. If I were you, I would right away get in there and adjust...I would recommend raising the saturation especially.

Good luck and have fun.

Ryan Schultz · February 13th, 2007, 08:33 PM

Sounds good....

Just wondering though, if anyone could just spell it out quick, 60i is good for this and shows no streaks etc. etc. etc.....

Also, Do you reccomend dong a white balance before you shoot every time? Any other tips to adjust it right outta the box??

Chris Hurd · February 13th, 2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Schultz

Any other tips to adjust it right outta the box??

Yes -- see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....57&postcount=6

Kevin Wild · February 13th, 2007, 08:48 PM

Ryan, most of your answers will be answered by you receiving the camera and getting to know it a bit. You'll see a hugely different look with 60i vs 24F. Giant difference. It's up to you to determine the look that you want. 24F (or P for that matter) will look very strobey if you are panning a lot or have a lot of motion in the frame. However, that is the look people are after, as that is filmic. It's much more subtle if you're just doing interviews, but I wouldn't shoot these any other way...24F all the way.

White balancing is the way...yes, every time, every new location, every time a change of lighting happens, etc. That said, when I'm gunning around and am not able to white balance, the Canon's auto does a very good job at guessing what you need. I hate to say this, too, but you can fix a lot of white balance issues in post...gulp...sorry. But we do it all the time. Try to get it right in camera...

Again, just focus on the custom settings. You'll find gold in there...I cringe seeing reviews (no names of Panny-lovers) that review the camera's picture out of the box. It's obvious Canon intentionally ships them a bit on the flat side. So definitely get in there and don't be shy with changing the gamma, color saturation, cine, etc.

Ryan Schultz · February 13th, 2007, 08:53 PM

Kevin,
With that being said, what are some of the more important custom settings to adjust? I will be filming almost always in snow, so any other important features other than white balance that are important with snow and white? Also, do you recommend leaving the exposure, or take it into my own hands and try to do manual iris as much as possible! Thanks alot!!!

February 13th, 2007, 08:06 PM	#1
Ryan Schultz New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 14	A1 Formats Hey Everyone! So, I recieve my A1 Tommorow afternoon, and i've never been more exicted!!! So quick question..... What are the different formats (60i, 30F, 24F) used for? For example what are the pros and cons of each format and what format is best used for what? Also, anything else i should know tomorow once i finally get my camera and start messing around? Any immediate settings, etc. i should know? Thanks for everything guys!!!!

February 13th, 2007, 08:24 PM	#2
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	Just play around with it and you'll quickly see the differences. We never shoot 60i anymore. It just looks way too "video" for nearly everything we do. I suppose if you do sports, you might want it, or if you want the hyper-realistic look, it's good. More importantly, be sure you get into the preset, custom settings and tweak the heck out of them. Canon's are notorious for coming out of the box pretty bland. If I were you, I would right away get in there and adjust...I would recommend raising the saturation especially. Good luck and have fun.

February 13th, 2007, 08:33 PM	#3
Ryan Schultz New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 14	Sounds good.... Just wondering though, if anyone could just spell it out quick, 60i is good for this and shows no streaks etc. etc. etc..... Also, Do you reccomend dong a white balance before you shoot every time? Any other tips to adjust it right outta the box??

February 13th, 2007, 08:48 PM	#5
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	Ryan, most of your answers will be answered by you receiving the camera and getting to know it a bit. You'll see a hugely different look with 60i vs 24F. Giant difference. It's up to you to determine the look that you want. 24F (or P for that matter) will look very strobey if you are panning a lot or have a lot of motion in the frame. However, that is the look people are after, as that is filmic. It's much more subtle if you're just doing interviews, but I wouldn't shoot these any other way...24F all the way. White balancing is the way...yes, every time, every new location, every time a change of lighting happens, etc. That said, when I'm gunning around and am not able to white balance, the Canon's auto does a very good job at guessing what you need. I hate to say this, too, but you can fix a lot of white balance issues in post...gulp...sorry. But we do it all the time. Try to get it right in camera... Again, just focus on the custom settings. You'll find gold in there...I cringe seeing reviews (no names of Panny-lovers) that review the camera's picture out of the box. It's obvious Canon intentionally ships them a bit on the flat side. So definitely get in there and don't be shy with changing the gamma, color saturation, cine, etc.

February 13th, 2007, 08:53 PM	#6
Ryan Schultz New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 14	Kevin, With that being said, what are some of the more important custom settings to adjust? I will be filming almost always in snow, so any other important features other than white balance that are important with snow and white? Also, do you recommend leaving the exposure, or take it into my own hands and try to do manual iris as much as possible! Thanks alot!!!