PD170 Shutter Speed Film Look

[Bob Cirillo]

Got my PD170 this weekend (from B&H) and have been exploring all the creative possibilities that this camera's manual controls have to offer (this is my first "prosumer" camera experience).

While experimenting with the various controls, I found that a shutter speed of 1/30 gives me a psuedo film-like look to the picture. This is probably old news to most, but I kinda like the effect it produces. So the question is, beside the reasons I've listed below, are there any other reasons why I shouldn't use the slower shutter speed if I like the "look"?

Here's what I can think of:

1. If I choose to shoot a program at the slower shutter speed, I'm stuck with it. No changing it in post.
2. Prevents me from using other film-look processes (Nattress Filters or Magic Bullet) since they need the 1/60 fps temporal information intact to do their thing.
3. I'll have to be careful to stop down the aperature and/or use the ND filters in bright light, since using the slower shutter speed provides a brighter exposure to begin with.

That's all I can come up with from my feeble brain (and limited experience). I'm doing mostly documentary work, so the motion blur of a NASCAR race or football game are not a concern. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive I've seen broadcast programs that have had the same look. Not quite film (obvious from video contrast limitations), but not quite the sharp video look either.

Thanks in advance for your comments!
-Bob

[Frank Granovski]

So the question is, beside the reasons I've listed below, are there any other reasons why I shouldn't use the slower shutter speed if I like the "look"?

I've used 1/15 and even 1/7.5 speeds for neat blurring effects. Any other reason why you should not? Depends. I believe there is some resolution loss, if that's a worry. It isn't for me.