XL1S suggestions for image mag? at DVinfo.net

Max Mishler · February 25th, 2004, 06:48 PM

Hello, my company just bought 2 xl1s for a new live music theater we're opening next week here in Myrtle Beach and I was hoping for some suggestions from those of you with any experience in similar situations. We've mounted one camera about 50 feet from the stage which will be operated remotely by an operator who also be mixing video. The other XL1S will be operated from the front row by tripod for close-ups and such. We've just begun tinkering with the manual settings and have found that the camera's definitely don't like deep red or blue coming from both medium par's as well as from moving lights like our MAC 500's. We've messed with the white balance a little but it stills needs some work. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Rob Lohman · February 26th, 2004, 05:20 AM

First a warning: keep in mind that a remote control (if you are using
the standard IR control) will control both camera's if they can
see the beam from the remote control. It might be wise to disable
the remote eye on the XL1S in the front.

Full manual is basically the best to go. Especially with low light
situations. Basically you should not have trouble with red & blue,
although red will bleed a bit.

You will probably need to set everything to manual and shoot
at something like 1/30, f2.8 and gain at +0 db or higher if it is
dark. White balance might be tricky with all different light colors
indeed. I would try the indoor white-balance setting.

Auto focus is probably a no-no as well since it might start hunting
in the dark.

Max Mishler · February 26th, 2004, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the info Rob. We have the remote camera hardwired in and it will be controlled with Varizoom Studio Controls so we're all set there. In fact, I was playing with the controls last night and the pan and tilt is a lot smoother than I had imagined. Running focus from the controls is a little tougher but I think our operator will do alright with some practice. As for lowlight, it doesn't seem to be much of an issue as the stage is very well lit. If anything I was having trouble toning the overall light down and still keeping contrast. Again, we just started fiddling around so I'm pretty confident we'll get what we need. Thanks and feel free if you can think of anything else...

Boyd Ostroff · February 26th, 2004, 08:49 AM

There are several threads here about shooting in theatrical settings. Here's one that might spark some ideas:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18431

James Emory · February 29th, 2004, 04:39 PM

Hello Max. Here are some examples of various lighting conditions with some good and others not so good. Blues should do just fine as you will see in these demos such as in the Fairy Godfather or The Ball scenes but red is notorius for bleeding and ghosting around objects or people. I have also done IMAG using these cameras. You can read the details at the second link below.

Theatrical

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=17557

IMAG

www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=3047

February 25th, 2004, 06:48 PM	#1
Max Mishler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 53	XL1S suggestions for image mag? Hello, my company just bought 2 xl1s for a new live music theater we're opening next week here in Myrtle Beach and I was hoping for some suggestions from those of you with any experience in similar situations. We've mounted one camera about 50 feet from the stage which will be operated remotely by an operator who also be mixing video. The other XL1S will be operated from the front row by tripod for close-ups and such. We've just begun tinkering with the manual settings and have found that the camera's definitely don't like deep red or blue coming from both medium par's as well as from moving lights like our MAC 500's. We've messed with the white balance a little but it stills needs some work. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

February 26th, 2004, 05:20 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	First a warning: keep in mind that a remote control (if you are using the standard IR control) will control both camera's if they can see the beam from the remote control. It might be wise to disable the remote eye on the XL1S in the front. Full manual is basically the best to go. Especially with low light situations. Basically you should not have trouble with red & blue, although red will bleed a bit. You will probably need to set everything to manual and shoot at something like 1/30, f2.8 and gain at +0 db or higher if it is dark. White balance might be tricky with all different light colors indeed. I would try the indoor white-balance setting. Auto focus is probably a no-no as well since it might start hunting in the dark. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 29th, 2004, 04:39 PM	#5
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Theatrial & Concert Video Hello Max. Here are some examples of various lighting conditions with some good and others not so good. Blues should do just fine as you will see in these demos such as in the Fairy Godfather or The Ball scenes but red is notorius for bleeding and ghosting around objects or people. I have also done IMAG using these cameras. You can read the details at the second link below. Theatrical http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=17557 IMAG www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?threadid=3047

February 26th, 2004, 07:55 AM	#3
Max Mishler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 53	Thanks for the info Rob. We have the remote camera hardwired in and it will be controlled with Varizoom Studio Controls so we're all set there. In fact, I was playing with the controls last night and the pan and tilt is a lot smoother than I had imagined. Running focus from the controls is a little tougher but I think our operator will do alright with some practice. As for lowlight, it doesn't seem to be much of an issue as the stage is very well lit. If anything I was having trouble toning the overall light down and still keeping contrast. Again, we just started fiddling around so I'm pretty confident we'll get what we need. Thanks and feel free if you can think of anything else...

February 26th, 2004, 08:49 AM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	There are several threads here about shooting in theatrical settings. Here's one that might spark some ideas: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18431