XL1 have black and white? at DVinfo.net

Deniz Turkmen · August 1st, 2002, 02:35 PM

I am planning on producing a short on digital video. It will be shot in black and white using existing light. Does the xl1 have a black and white mode? Are there cameras better for shooting black and white than the xl1? Thanks.

Ken Tanaka · August 1st, 2002, 02:56 PM

The XL-1 does not have a b&w mode, per se. Most folks convert their footage to b&w in post-production with their editors. The effect is much more controllable in post. Use a field monitor with color turned down to get a rough preview of the b&w image during shooting.

Rob Lohman · August 2nd, 2002, 02:37 AM

I would do B&W in post even if the camera had B&W mode
native (which it does not). On the XL1s you could dial out all
the color. B&W in post is much better since you can tweak the
effect much more! If you record in B&W you have no choices
lateron in the process!

Jeff Donald · August 2nd, 2002, 06:22 AM

I do B & W in post, but I shoot like B & W. I do as Ken Suggests, turn down the chroma on your monitor and closely evaluate the contrast in the scene. We pick the colors of the clothing and props to look good, have good contrast, in B & W, not color. Many colors turn to middle grey when you remove the color. The scene lacks a good contrast range and the resulting video is worse, all muddy grey. Good B & W is a challenge.

Jeff

Ken Tanaka · August 2nd, 2002, 08:23 AM

Although shooting 35mm still film is a different animal than shooting video for b&w (due to dealing with chemistry with film -vs- physics with video) some of the principles may apply. You might gets some good tips from a good b&w photography book.

Jeff Donald · August 2nd, 2002, 08:36 AM

Almost all films today are panchromatic. They more accurately reproduce the warmer colors, red, orange and yellow. Video has an emphasis on green to help human vision see more detail. Certain colors will reproduce more accurately than others when the color is removed. It's kind of trial and error for the look you want. There are many good books on B & W as Ken points out. They will be a good starting point.

August 4th, 2002, 09:49 AM

Has anyone tried dialing the color out of the XL1 and then shooting with a red, orange or yellow filter (ala b&w film)?

I would be interested to know how a scene shot that way compares to a scene shot in color but edited to black and white in post.

August 6th, 2002, 05:30 PM

The Xl1s can be put in to black and white mode by presetting the color mode to black and white. This is what i use to focus.

Jeff Donald · August 6th, 2002, 06:51 PM

Geocide1

The XL1 does not have a B & W mode, but as you and Rob point out the XL1s does have a B & W mode. How does the B & W help you focus?

Jeff

August 8th, 2002, 11:54 AM

It's just easier for my eyes to distinguish out of focus items for some reason. Try it, its kinda weird.

August 1st, 2002, 02:35 PM	#1
Deniz Turkmen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CA Posts: 166	XL1 have black and white? I am planning on producing a short on digital video. It will be shot in black and white using existing light. Does the xl1 have a black and white mode? Are there cameras better for shooting black and white than the xl1? Thanks.

August 1st, 2002, 02:56 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The XL-1 does not have a b&w mode, per se. Most folks convert their footage to b&w in post-production with their editors. The effect is much more controllable in post. Use a field monitor with color turned down to get a rough preview of the b&w image during shooting. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 2nd, 2002, 02:37 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I would do B&W in post even if the camera had B&W mode native (which it does not). On the XL1s you could dial out all the color. B&W in post is much better since you can tweak the effect much more! If you record in B&W you have no choices lateron in the process! __________________ 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

August 2nd, 2002, 08:23 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Although shooting 35mm still film is a different animal than shooting video for b&w (due to dealing with chemistry with film -vs- physics with video) some of the principles may apply. You might gets some good tips from a good b&w photography book. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 2nd, 2002, 06:22 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I do B & W in post, but I shoot like B & W. I do as Ken Suggests, turn down the chroma on your monitor and closely evaluate the contrast in the scene. We pick the colors of the clothing and props to look good, have good contrast, in B & W, not color. Many colors turn to middle grey when you remove the color. The scene lacks a good contrast range and the resulting video is worse, all muddy grey. Good B & W is a challenge. Jeff

August 2nd, 2002, 08:36 AM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Almost all films today are panchromatic. They more accurately reproduce the warmer colors, red, orange and yellow. Video has an emphasis on green to help human vision see more detail. Certain colors will reproduce more accurately than others when the color is removed. It's kind of trial and error for the look you want. There are many good books on B & W as Ken points out. They will be a good starting point.

August 4th, 2002, 09:49 AM	#7
jukulu33 Posts: n/a	Has anyone tried dialing the color out of the XL1 and then shooting with a red, orange or yellow filter (ala b&w film)? I would be interested to know how a scene shot that way compares to a scene shot in color but edited to black and white in post.

August 6th, 2002, 05:30 PM	#8
Geocide1 Posts: n/a	The Xl1s can be put in to black and white mode by presetting the color mode to black and white. This is what i use to focus.

August 6th, 2002, 06:51 PM	#9
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Geocide1 The XL1 does not have a B & W mode, but as you and Rob point out the XL1s does have a B & W mode. How does the B & W help you focus? Jeff

August 8th, 2002, 11:54 AM	#10
Geocide1 Posts: n/a	It's just easier for my eyes to distinguish out of focus items for some reason. Try it, its kinda weird.