I think you are right....but was just checking for sure...

greetings

XL1 Settings for interior smokey night shot
 

I am shooting a scene for a short film this weekend and I was wondering what settings people might suggest for the following:

Door opens into large room. Lighting is low and image is out of focus. Camera focuses to show large table with 8 people sitting around it. It is lit from a large over head light just a few feet above the table. Like a light over a pool table in a bar.
Camera cuts in to close up of table panning along top of table. Papers with lists of names and addresses are shown. Maps, ashtrays and half empty glasses of wine. Hands of people around the table are seen writing notes, smoking.
Camera draws back to show wide shot of table with backs of heads. Names and addresses are being read out and ticked off on sheet of paper from one of the people sitting at the table.

What I am trying to reflect is almost a film noir style. What I am interested in is peoples suggestions as fstop, shutter speed, gain, AE settings etc

Thanks

Unless you are trying to acvhieve a grainy feel, consider lighting well tp give a good, clean exposure but with give the shadows you want, then adjust in post for the brightness (darkness) dark effects you are seeking.

Canon 50mm F2.5 Macro /Ef adapter
 

Hi guys

Does anyone have any experience they would like to share about the use of this lense with the EF adapter? It seems like a good balance between quality and price.... I'm looking for a good macro setup for filming insects.

Many thanks

Mat

If you can afford a quality windsock, do it, because so may problems are eliminated.

If you can't and need one badly, make your own. What follows is not new information, and it will work unless you want to face 20+ MPH winds. Even then, the results are noteworthy. Here is how:

1. Find yourself a plastic water or soft drink bottle WAY bigger than your microphone, but one that has pouring spout that should be close, but not exact, to the diameter of your mic (as this area does need some dampening).
2. Using an electric soldering iron, burn hundreds of small holes in to the plastic bottle. Make each hole about 5 mm diameter. Burning the holes preserves the structural integrity of the plastic, which is very, very thin.
3. Next, purchase a small square of fake fur fabric, sometimes sold as faux fur. This fabric has an open weave backing which has acceptable accoustically transparent characteristics.
4. The whole point of the exercise is to create an air space around the microphone which has little to no movement of air, because THAT is what causes wind noise.
5 Allow time for testing you finished prototype so you do not have to do, as I did, advise that the "thing" in the wedding arch was indeed a microphone, and not a dead cat.

Hey guys.

Well I have this lens strapped to a EF converter.....and WOW! It is great, macro indeed !! and the quality is fantastic. The depth of field is very shallow but I've not had a lot of light available yet the close down a bit.


If anyone is interested I will post a few snipits soon!


Cheers
Mat

Xl Series
 

Thats the beauty of the Canon XL series...anytime a new lens come out one of us guys (or gals) can go pick it up and everything will be all good. The lens itself, isnt as great you'd maybe expect...at least in my opinion.

Removal of zoom ring 'peg' from 16x Manual Servo lens?
 

Hello,

I'm working with a 16x manual servo lens. I built a geared mechanism that interfaces with the geared zoom ring on the lens, but there is a prominent 'peg' on the ring that interferes with the gearing.

The peg looks like it was designed to be removed, but applying small to medium levels of hand torque have not budged it. Has anyone removed this peg successfully, and are there suggestions to avoid damaging the lens body?

Thanks,

Eliot

I'm shooting near a MRI machine
 

Hi all,

I'm shooting near a MRI machine at a medical office in the next day or so. Has anyone had any experience with this. I am concerned about the powerful magnets that are part of this machine. I know there is a safety line I need to stay behind, but I don't really trust the techs at the medical office. Any thoughts?

Cheers! Jon

Jon. I have done many shoots in this situation, yes stay behind the line, shoot from the hall with the door open, or shoot for the technician's room if they have glass to see in the MRI room. Also you can do a "Mock" MRI where the patient lays on the table but they don't turn the machine on.

Mark,

Thanks for the words of advise. I have already scoped the place out and I was planning on doing exactly what you suggested. I feel a little more at ease, so thank you for responding so quickly to my post.

cheers, Jon

anyone using 30fps for lowlight?
 

Interested to hear your experience with this


thanks

I have used it once ot twice on the XL1, gets about a stop brighter, but motion is not as smooth. I did not care for the effect, and I do not use it anymore for what I shoot.

I will use 1/30 shutter if there is no other option, like additional lighting. That additional stop of aperture is sometimes necessary. It is way better than pushing gain up to 18db. The result is OK, but I am careful to avoid shooting any fast action, as I find myself limited in post.

XL1S - Used in Music Video
 

This last summer I posted a thread about my first attempt at makeing a no budget music video. (except for my time). I received feedback from forum members, which was appreciated, as well as the band members. The video very well may not get any farther than family and friends, but its a start. Take a look at it and provide any feedback.

www.reamenterprises.com/18Key256WMV.wmv

We used the XL1s as our primary camera, with a GL1 on hand for some additional pick up shots. We did use a light kit and in some shots it is obviously to bright. After the fact we have a field monitor to have on hand.
The sign was fabricated and shot creatively with it posted under the original street sign. Everyone who you see around the fire was friends - which was impressive to see so many people come out and support the band.

Thanks,
Chad