Some DVX100 questions at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · August 13th, 2004, 03:14 PM

A little on the urgent side....
I'm going to a shoot first thing tomorrow and will be using a borrowed DVX100A for the first time. I've browsed the manual, but have a few more questions.

1) Shooting an indie video for output to video only: should I use 24p or 24pa?

2) Which shutter speed should I use for the most filmy feel to match that?

3) What the heck does "Shutter OFF" mean?

4) What is MACRO mode on this camera (same as a macro on a still camera I guess?) and how do I shut it off?

5) What ISO rating does the camera have? I'm using a light meter to be on the safe side.

I think that's it. Thanks!

Ryan Gohlinghorst · August 13th, 2004, 04:23 PM

1) By video only, I'm assuming you mean VHS? Then I would say 24p.

2) I find keeping the shutter off works best in most situations.

3) When set to Shutter Off, the camera is set at the default 1/50 shutter speed.

4) Macro on this cam is the same as a still camera. To turn it off, just turn the focus ring to a higher focus number. It will turn off on its own.

5) I'm not really sure, but I've heard it's roughly 320 ASA.

Ken Tanaka · August 13th, 2004, 04:24 PM

My 2-cents to the extent I can offer them.

1) Shooting an indie video for output to video only: should I use 24p or 24pa?

24P would be the correct selection for this target, in my opinion. You won't really benefit from the advanced pull-down.

2) Which shutter speed should I use for the most filmy feel to match that?

1/48 will be the normal shutter speed for 24 fps.

3) What the heck does "Shutter OFF" mean?

The Shutter button located on the cam's side under the closed LCD panel enables you to either lock the shutter speed into a standard rate based on your frame rate, or to unlock the shutter and select among various speeds (Speed Sel button) based on your recording mode.

4) What is MACRO mode on this camera (same as a macro on a still camera I guess?) and how do I shut it off?

This refers to a close-focus range on the lens. When you enter this zone you will see "Macro" in the viewfinder. This will only engage in wide to mid zoom ranges.

5) What ISO rating does the camera have? I'm using a light meter to be on the safe side.

No clue. I'm not convinced that ISO has any useful meaning with respect to video cameras, principally because the sensors have such variable sensitivity.

Adam Wilt's page may be helpful.

Dylan Couper · August 13th, 2004, 04:57 PM

Thanks Ken and Ryan!

So the MACRO goes on and off automaticaly. Gotcha. I didn't notice it going off so assumed it was always in close focus mode (but still loked normal).

With the shutter off, does the shutter speed become 1/48th while shooting 24p?

Charles Papert · August 13th, 2004, 05:01 PM

Yes, 1/48th is standard.

On dvxuser.com they are calling the camera 640 ASA. I thought it to be a bit less than that, but I didn't necessarily test it as comprehensively as I would want to feel secure in countering their findings.

Ken Tanaka · August 13th, 2004, 05:02 PM

The 100A manual indicates 1/50...but it's 1/48..as verified on the viewfinder. I suspect they used the PAL table for that section. (1/50 for 24fps wouldn't make sense.)

Dylan Couper · August 13th, 2004, 05:07 PM

How does the ASA rating translate into ISO in this case? My light meter set for ISO.

Thanks

Jesse Bekas · August 18th, 2004, 08:58 AM

I think ASA, ISO, and EI ratings are all equivalent.

Dmitri Henry · August 18th, 2004, 04:06 PM

The following answer is not based on my own testings rather than what i have learned at different forums from well experienced dps. Dvx is supposed to be roughly 640 Iso sensitive in 24p rate and around 1280 at 60i rate.

August 13th, 2004, 03:14 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Some DVX100 questions A little on the urgent side.... I'm going to a shoot first thing tomorrow and will be using a borrowed DVX100A for the first time. I've browsed the manual, but have a few more questions. 1) Shooting an indie video for output to video only: should I use 24p or 24pa? 2) Which shutter speed should I use for the most filmy feel to match that? 3) What the heck does "Shutter OFF" mean? 4) What is MACRO mode on this camera (same as a macro on a still camera I guess?) and how do I shut it off? 5) What ISO rating does the camera have? I'm using a light meter to be on the safe side. I think that's it. Thanks! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

August 13th, 2004, 04:23 PM	#2
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	1) By video only, I'm assuming you mean VHS? Then I would say 24p. 2) I find keeping the shutter off works best in most situations. 3) When set to Shutter Off, the camera is set at the default 1/50 shutter speed. 4) Macro on this cam is the same as a still camera. To turn it off, just turn the focus ring to a higher focus number. It will turn off on its own. 5) I'm not really sure, but I've heard it's roughly 320 ASA. __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

August 13th, 2004, 04:24 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Re: Some DVX100 questions My 2-cents to the extent I can offer them. 1) Shooting an indie video for output to video only: should I use 24p or 24pa? 24P would be the correct selection for this target, in my opinion. You won't really benefit from the advanced pull-down. 2) Which shutter speed should I use for the most filmy feel to match that? 1/48 will be the normal shutter speed for 24 fps. 3) What the heck does "Shutter OFF" mean? The Shutter button located on the cam's side under the closed LCD panel enables you to either lock the shutter speed into a standard rate based on your frame rate, or to unlock the shutter and select among various speeds (Speed Sel button) based on your recording mode. 4) What is MACRO mode on this camera (same as a macro on a still camera I guess?) and how do I shut it off? This refers to a close-focus range on the lens. When you enter this zone you will see "Macro" in the viewfinder. This will only engage in wide to mid zoom ranges. 5) What ISO rating does the camera have? I'm using a light meter to be on the safe side. No clue. I'm not convinced that ISO has any useful meaning with respect to video cameras, principally because the sensors have such variable sensitivity. Adam Wilt's page may be helpful. __________________ 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 13th, 2004, 04:57 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Thanks Ken and Ryan! So the MACRO goes on and off automaticaly. Gotcha. I didn't notice it going off so assumed it was always in close focus mode (but still loked normal). With the shutter off, does the shutter speed become 1/48th while shooting 24p? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

August 13th, 2004, 05:01 PM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Yes, 1/48th is standard. On dvxuser.com they are calling the camera 640 ASA. I thought it to be a bit less than that, but I didn't necessarily test it as comprehensively as I would want to feel secure in countering their findings. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 13th, 2004, 05:02 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The 100A manual indicates 1/50...but it's 1/48..as verified on the viewfinder. I suspect they used the PAL table for that section. (1/50 for 24fps wouldn't make sense.) __________________ 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 13th, 2004, 05:07 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	How does the ASA rating translate into ISO in this case? My light meter set for ISO. Thanks __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

August 18th, 2004, 08:58 AM	#8
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	I think ASA, ISO, and EI ratings are all equivalent.

August 18th, 2004, 04:06 PM	#9
Dmitri Henry Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NC Posts: 34	The following answer is not based on my own testings rather than what i have learned at different forums from well experienced dps. Dvx is supposed to be roughly 640 Iso sensitive in 24p rate and around 1280 at 60i rate.