Matt Cherry's Most Excellent XL2 Setup Sheet

[Chris Hurd]

Here's a big DV Info / XL2 Watchdog salute to Matthew Cherry for his XL2 Setup Sheet -- this is a document he uses to maintain a hard copy listing of camera setup values. Frankly I think this is an indispensible document, simply a "must-have" for XL2 owners.

Download it from Matt's site (lots of other useful stuff as well) at:

http://www.birthofthecool.com/preproduction.html

The actual PDF document is located at:

http://www.birthofthecool.com/Forms/camera_setup.pdf

Matt -- if you're reading this, please contact me via private email and shoot me your mailing address. Your awesome setup sheet has earned you a pack of Canon swag!

[Matthew Cherry]

Sniff, sniff,

You like me, you REALLY like me......

Thanks, I should probably make one that doesn't have that silly Birth of the cool thing on it and post that so that others can take a look at it.

I'll send you my address, and gladly accept swag.

But if anyone can help wit the problem I'm having below, I'd be really grateful. I have some other forms coming for the shooting with this camera so if you're actually interested, I'll send them to you.

Matt

[Chris Hurd]

I know you wanted your FCP thread left here -- but have you tried our Mac Editing (FCP) board? Out of 15,000 members worldwide surely somebody will have some helpful input.

[Matthew Cherry]

Maybe I should, it just seems from the research I've been able to do that the problem I'm having has to do with the fact that I'm shooting native 16:9 and since most dv cameras don't do that, I thought this would be the place (surely there are some XL2 users using FCP).

However, that said, if I don't get a response, I'll try posting there.

I sent you an email. If you want to send me your logo, I'd be happy to make a DVinfo version of the form for forum members and host it.

Thank you again!

Matt

[Mark Sasahara]

That really is some sheet :~).

I made one as well, but it's not as spiffy. I did put dashes between the end boxes and a box in the middle, to more accurately record the settings.

Good work.

[Christopher Go]

Thanks for the forms, Matt! I'll be using the camera setup sheet right away - sure beats my index card notes.

I'd be interested in having a form without the logo but you should place "copyright Matthew Cherry" somewhere - you deserve the credit! Very professional job, thanks again (and thanks Mr. Hurd for posting it).

[Matthew Cherry]

Mark, those are check boxes. Where I would denote a vairable (+1 color gain for example) I left a blank space to just right that in.

[Mark Sasahara]

What I mean is, in the Color Repro section, when you are in the camera's menu, there are sliders for color gain, coring, Ped, etc. I put in the intermediate steps on my set up sheet.

On the slider, there is a box at each end, with one in the middle. There are six intermediate steps between each box (I think). I put in dashes between the boxes so you would know exactly where you are on that particular slider. By having the slider reproduced on the set up sheet, you will have a more accurate record.

[Matthew Cherry]

To each his own, personally it would confuse me to draw in the notch on the sliding scale or circle a hatch mark. I like having a numerical reference, and personally wish that that's how canon had designed their menus. Maybe I'm not explaining what I do well?

For example, right now I have my coring set up "two notches" on the slider, or two positions past the center box. I just write +2, which allows me to accurately reproduce that setting. If it were in the center position, where you would see a little box, I just write 0. I don't see how representing that information graphically would lead to a more accurate record of the information, but everyone likes to reference information differently, so perhaps it makes more sense to you that way. I just thought this was cleaner and easier to use

[Mark Sasahara]

I'm very particular. As you indicated, it's a personal preference.

[Anthony Marotti]

Matt,

You have a great eye, and a great sense of timing (robe covering the breasts just in time as you zoom out). I like how you made your abode look like a period setting. If you would have switched out the modern door hardware and closet wire-work, it would have put me back in the 50s :-)

Great eye man !!

I would be very grateful for any of your forms!!

You can get my e-mail by clicking that little button down there :-)


PS Where do you work out of?

I shoot all over, maybe we can work together some time !!

Anthony

[Kevin Gilvear]

For some reason all i get is a blank page when I click any of Matt's PDF links. My PC can read PDF files so I'm not sure what's up with the links. I'd like to check out all the stuff on the site.

[Chris Hurd]

Right-click the link and choose "save target as" to download it.

[Kevin Gilvear]

Thanks Chris :) That stuff is great by the way.

[Matthew Cherry]

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Sasahara : I'm very particular. As you indicated, it's a personal preference. -->>>

I'm sure you are. I'm glad you have something that works for you.

Matt