Versatile Variable Frame Rate Comera

[Pavel Tomanec]

DVInfo Friends,

As a preparation for an experimental project I was hoping to get a HD camcorder capable doing variable frame rate. I will need to cover a range from 1 - 70 frames per seconds for this project.

Would some of you be so kind and give me a direction where to start with research of such camera?

Many thanks.

Pavel

[Gary Nattrass]

Hi that is a strange range as most camera's cover 1-60fps as a max, they all tend to be 720p unless you get a specialist rig. I think films at 59 in Bristol have the specialist kit for hire: Hire — Films at 59 - Pre and Post Production

If you are Ok with 1-60fps then the panasonic HPX301 camera I have will cover that range at a very cost effective level, it can also take nikon prime lenses with a X7 magnification factor if you need to do wildlife production.

[Pavel Tomanec]

Nice one, thanks for this. The Panasonic is looking good. For the work I have in mind it should be ideally all in 1920x1080 HD.

Hopefully some other ideas will come here in due course.

[Gary Nattrass]

Hi most HD camera's that do variable speed are 720p not 1080 and that includes the HPX2700 and the HDX900 as used by the BBC on their natural history programmes.

The new HPX250 from panasonic will also do variable speed up to 60fps in a compact camera but beyond that you are into specialist camera's and they will cost an awful lot of money!

[Pavel Tomanec]

Thanks a lot Gary, I appreciate your input a lot. Perhaps I just need to wait with my gear acquisition until such variable frame rate digital cameras will be available on the market.

For now I focus on shaping of my project scenario.

[Gary Nattrass]

There is a new olympus camera that does variable speed beyond 60fps but it is still only 720p but that should be fine for most things.

There is also time-lapse but once again most camera's are limited to 720p.

[Pavel Tomanec]

I am searching for the new Olympus but cannot find it...

[Gary Nattrass]

I think its the i-speed TR :http://www.olympus-ims.com/en/hsv-products/i-speed-tr/ VFC-7000 Fora also have a new high speed camera more details here: FOR-A Global - HD Variable Frame Rate Camera VFC-7000

[Pavel Tomanec]

Oh yes, I have seen this one (FOR-A Global HD). This is the real high speed machine. The Olympus also looks good.

I am inclined for the Arri Alexa if I receive a production grant from an Angel.

[Stephen Mick]

The Panasonic AF-100 will do variable frame rates up to 60 in 1920x1080 mode. I've used it quite a bit and it works a treat.

[Pavel Tomanec]

Thanks Stephen, I was just looking at this sale thread

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/private-...camcorder.html

For which I was late. Anyways, I am in PAL land so I heard there is the AF101 for us.

Personal question: How have you found the 4:3 sensor working for 16:9 aspect ratio project? Thank you.

[Stephen Mick]

Well, it's not a "4:3" sensor… It's actually what's called a "Micro Four Thirds" sensor, and that's simply the type/size of the sensor. We shot this with two pre-production AF-100 cameras…

"A Verse Before Dying" on Vimeo

I've had nothing but great results with the AF-100. And the variable frame rate function that you're asking for is one of the AF's best features.

[Pavel Tomanec]

Thank you for sharing your work. I see kind of Sergio Leone influence, no? :)

Ok, so what is the difference between 2/3 and 4/3 sensor? So it does from 1-60fps in 1080p?

[Stephen Mick]

Essentially yes, the difference is size. There are other differences, certainly, but size is the main one. Here's a chart that gives a bit of relative information on sensor sizes…

Digital Camera Sensor Sizes: How it Influences Your Photography

And yes, it does 1-60fps in 1080p.

[Pavel Tomanec]

Wonderful, I looked - I feel this camera would be a nice upgrade from Canon XH A1, what do you recon? Canon is 1/3 and with good sensibility it can give wonderful images too!