Images as promised... at DVinfo.net

Didi Schoeman · October 16th, 2006, 04:29 AM

As promised, herewith some still clips of footage that I took on my first shoot with the XL H1 in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

I used Steven Dempsey's Panalook custom preset which is nothing short of AMAZING!!!!

I find that the XL H1 really delivers the most exquisite footage under the right lighting conditions, in my opinion it's the perfect camera to film in a controlled environment where you can properly light your subject and if done correctly the film resemblance in color is truly amazing. Ideal for features, television commercials and documentaries. As an ENG camera where speed is a factor in capturing live action and where you don't always have good lighting the camera does not produce the same pretty pictures, in fact the difference is dramatic. The focus in speedy set ups is tricky especially when filming at night and the viewfinder is nothing short of a pain in the butt!!! But that said, the camera blew me away with some of the footage that I was able to get.

A big improvement from the XL1s is the seal on the tape compartment... I used to have problems with the XL1s and dust getting into the camera but that's no longer an issue.

I'm still not sure about the 24 or 25 F frame-rate... haven't had time to test it properly and my initial tests gave me stuttering video footage... but I'm sure, or rather hope that it's something that I'm doing wrong.

Anyway, enough ramblings, herewith some stills captured off video footage...

(Please note that the pictures have been resized and is not in full resolution)

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

South Africa

Chris Hurd · October 16th, 2006, 05:37 AM

Beautiful... thanks for sharing these Didi!

Dave Perry · October 16th, 2006, 06:10 AM

Yes, those are beautiful shots. I'm finding Steve's Panalook to be the most used custom preset on our camera as well.

Ken Diewert · October 17th, 2006, 10:46 PM

Nice Stuff Didi,

Steve's Panalook is my default setting.

I'll be taking mine to Costa Rica for a month in January. I know that equatorial sun can be brutal except early and late. Were you using any filtration or polarizer?

Ken

Didi Schoeman · October 18th, 2006, 12:33 AM

Hi Ken

I did use a circular polarizer to cut glare, the rest of it comes down to filming early morning and evening during the magic hours when subjects are side-lit by the sun.

Yasser Kassana · October 19th, 2006, 04:48 AM

What's Gail Porter doing there? Has her not grown back? Beautiful images, I would love to see some footage.

Didi Schoeman · October 19th, 2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yasser Kassana

What's Gail Porter doing there? Has her not grown back? Beautiful images, I would love to see some footage.

Gail is the presenter on a documentary we are filming on the translocation of 12 elephants that have been rescued from a farm in Natal, South Africa for The Murry Foundation in the UK. Her hair has started to grow back slowly which is good news!

Dean Bradshaw · October 30th, 2006, 07:28 AM

Excellent still's Didi, looks like you sure made the most of the light!

What are the main factors that create such a big difference in results based on controlled, versus run-and-gun shooting?

is it just a lighting issue? and do you think is it unique to the XLh1?

Dean

Brendan Marnell · October 30th, 2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Bradshaw

What are the main factors that create such a big difference in results based on controlled, versus run-and-gun shooting?

is it just a lighting issue? and do you think is it unique to the XLh1?

I'm looking for answers from all levels of experience to that question, Dean.

October 16th, 2006, 04:29 AM	#1
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Images as promised... As promised, herewith some still clips of footage that I took on my first shoot with the XL H1 in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. I used Steven Dempsey's Panalook custom preset which is nothing short of AMAZING!!!! I find that the XL H1 really delivers the most exquisite footage under the right lighting conditions, in my opinion it's the perfect camera to film in a controlled environment where you can properly light your subject and if done correctly the film resemblance in color is truly amazing. Ideal for features, television commercials and documentaries. As an ENG camera where speed is a factor in capturing live action and where you don't always have good lighting the camera does not produce the same pretty pictures, in fact the difference is dramatic. The focus in speedy set ups is tricky especially when filming at night and the viewfinder is nothing short of a pain in the butt!!! But that said, the camera blew me away with some of the footage that I was able to get. A big improvement from the XL1s is the seal on the tape compartment... I used to have problems with the XL1s and dust getting into the camera but that's no longer an issue. I'm still not sure about the 24 or 25 F frame-rate... haven't had time to test it properly and my initial tests gave me stuttering video footage... but I'm sure, or rather hope that it's something that I'm doing wrong. Anyway, enough ramblings, herewith some stills captured off video footage... (Please note that the pictures have been resized and is not in full resolution) Mozambique Zimbabwe South Africa __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions

October 16th, 2006, 05:37 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Beautiful... thanks for sharing these Didi! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 16th, 2006, 06:10 AM	#3
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Yes, those are beautiful shots. I'm finding Steve's Panalook to be the most used custom preset on our camera as well. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

October 17th, 2006, 10:46 PM	#4
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Nice Stuff Didi, Steve's Panalook is my default setting. I'll be taking mine to Costa Rica for a month in January. I know that equatorial sun can be brutal except early and late. Were you using any filtration or polarizer? Ken __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

October 18th, 2006, 12:33 AM	#5
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Hi Ken I did use a circular polarizer to cut glare, the rest of it comes down to filming early morning and evening during the magic hours when subjects are side-lit by the sun. __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions

October 19th, 2006, 04:48 AM	#6
Yasser Kassana Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 223	What's Gail Porter doing there? Has her not grown back? Beautiful images, I would love to see some footage.

October 30th, 2006, 07:28 AM	#8
Dean Bradshaw New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 6	Excellent still's Didi, looks like you sure made the most of the light! What are the main factors that create such a big difference in results based on controlled, versus run-and-gun shooting? is it just a lighting issue? and do you think is it unique to the XLh1? Dean