XDCAM EX1 on the road blog

Bill Ward · December 14th, 2007, 08:41 PM

Phil: In a couple of shots, there is a very attractive circular darkening around the outside edge of the image...I'm thinking of the low-angle pan across the silver plants in particular.

Was this the dreaded vignetting, or a deliberate postproduction effect? I noticed it on several other images, almost like a circular grad filter.

Do you ever get releases from any of the folks who appear, or do these private films never get released?

Lovely choices of music on all your work!

Mark OConnell · December 14th, 2007, 10:43 PM

Phillip

Really great of you to take the time to post your findings and the shorts. I thank you for the invaluable insights. Had a couple of questions: in the Picadilly clip, in the portraits, the eyes are sharp but the rest of the face soft. What's going on there? Also was wondering if you've gotten the EX 1 to work with your Brevis yet?

thanks again, hope to see more-

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 03:18 AM

Bill: The vignette is done is post. I don't get releases as these are not for broadcast.

Mark: It's swing/ tilt effect on the faces. It was actually done in post as I waiting for my actual swing tilt lens, which has now arrived so I can do it for real.

Tunde Anjorin · December 15th, 2007, 03:47 AM

Phil that video was nothing short of amazing.....Thank you for posting it!!!!!!!!!!!

Raymond Schlogel · December 15th, 2007, 04:17 AM

Another great one in every regard. I've been told mine will be here next week, hopefully EARLY next week.

Obviously your busy Phil but when ya have a mo would be ever grateful if you could get to my email. Thanks! =)

- Ray

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 06:25 AM

sorry Raymond. Completely forgot to reply. Normally I reply straight away. Think I was shooting when it came through.

Tell me what you want to know and I will do my best in giving advice!

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 06:35 AM

better version in 720p now linked on the blog. Less compression

Steve Cahill · December 15th, 2007, 07:30 AM

Phil- have you decided upon a format with the EX that you find gives you the "BEST" settings, such as shooting in 720 or 1080 or 25fps vers 60P that you can share.

Mark Williams · December 15th, 2007, 08:59 AM

Phil,

Love your videos on your blog. I am beginning to really warm up to the EX-1. However, one doubt still exists and that is how the HQ mode 35mbs VR will hold up with extreme motion. Can you post any fast moving water scenes (rivers, fountains, ocean, birds in flight). Your efforts are much appreciated.

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 11:59 AM

there is some fast moving stuff in my short film using the ex1 clean. You can see it here http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgrade720.mp4

it's only rivers and stuff. I really have had no problems with the codec. Also check out this: http://www.philipbloom.co.uk/Philip_..._Shorts.html#0

It's a short of a sunset in Cornwall. It is a shame you can't see a 1080p version of this. It's quite stunning. The most beautiful thing i have shot. It was shot on the big XDCAM HD F350 but it's the same codec, albeit CCD but slightly lower resolution. The MP4 compression does it no favours and it is slightly blocky. I must get a 720p done for you to see. The XDCAM code is so impressive. I shot all my HD stuff with it now, with HDV as B camera. I don't miss DVCPro hd. I don't miss the huge file sizes, i don't miss the tiny P2 card capacity and I don't miss the softer lower quality images.

edit: I will be posting a 720p version of Sunset so can see how the XDCAM codec deals with fast moving stuff. It will be up with the half hour.

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Cahill

Phil- have you decided upon a format with the EX that you find gives you the "BEST" settings, such as shooting in 720 or 1080 or 25fps vers 60P that you can share.

Always 1080p. Compared to that the 720 pales. I always shoot 25fps as its the only option in 1080p and I hate interlace. It looks cheap!

Piotr Wozniacki · December 15th, 2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

Always 1080p. Compared to that the 720 pales. I always shoot 25fps as its the only option in 1080p and I hate interlace. It looks cheap!

I agree with you 1080/25p sounds like the best option for us, PAL users. But... the BD specs don't support 25p! What is your idea of the best delivery method? Thanscoding in post to the closest thing - 1080/24p - doesn't make much sense with the EX1, as it can shoot this format in the first place!

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 12:52 PM

Hi Piotr

My main aim is for UK broadcast and that is 25p. Blu ray delivery is not at the top of my list, especially since I still can't burn actually projects for use in domestic players with my mac pro yet.

Phil Bloom · December 15th, 2007, 01:04 PM

check out http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/sunset1080.divx in about half an hour it should be uploaded. shot on the f350 but it shows how well the codec can handle fast moving water.

thanks to maxim again for hosting. i owe you a beer!

Grigory Volovich · December 15th, 2007, 01:32 PM

Phil,
kew whole.mp4 excellent film....REALLY.
Soundtrack.Who is the author?

December 15th, 2007, 03:18 AM	#138
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Bill: The vignette is done is post. I don't get releases as these are not for broadcast. Mark: It's swing/ tilt effect on the faces. It was actually done in post as I waiting for my actual swing tilt lens, which has now arrived so I can do it for real. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 04:17 AM	#140
Raymond Schlogel Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 162 Images: 3	Another great one in every regard. I've been told mine will be here next week, hopefully EARLY next week. Obviously your busy Phil but when ya have a mo would be ever grateful if you could get to my email. Thanks! =) - Ray __________________ www.undergroundplanet.com

December 15th, 2007, 06:25 AM	#141
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	sorry Raymond. Completely forgot to reply. Normally I reply straight away. Think I was shooting when it came through. Tell me what you want to know and I will do my best in giving advice! __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 06:35 AM	#142
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	better version in 720p now linked on the blog. Less compression __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 07:30 AM	#143
Steve Cahill Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 321	Phil- have you decided upon a format with the EX that you find gives you the "BEST" settings, such as shooting in 720 or 1080 or 25fps vers 60P that you can share. __________________ Regards Steve

December 14th, 2007, 08:41 PM	#136
Bill Ward Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 580	Phil: In a couple of shots, there is a very attractive circular darkening around the outside edge of the image...I'm thinking of the low-angle pan across the silver plants in particular. Was this the dreaded vignetting, or a deliberate postproduction effect? I noticed it on several other images, almost like a circular grad filter. Do you ever get releases from any of the folks who appear, or do these private films never get released? Lovely choices of music on all your work!

December 14th, 2007, 10:43 PM	#137
Mark OConnell Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 420	Phillip Really great of you to take the time to post your findings and the shorts. I thank you for the invaluable insights. Had a couple of questions: in the Picadilly clip, in the portraits, the eyes are sharp but the rest of the face soft. What's going on there? Also was wondering if you've gotten the EX 1 to work with your Brevis yet? thanks again, hope to see more-

December 15th, 2007, 03:47 AM	#139
Tunde Anjorin Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: atlanta ga Posts: 52	Phil that video was nothing short of amazing.....Thank you for posting it!!!!!!!!!!!

December 15th, 2007, 08:59 AM	#144
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Phil, Love your videos on your blog. I am beginning to really warm up to the EX-1. However, one doubt still exists and that is how the HQ mode 35mbs VR will hold up with extreme motion. Can you post any fast moving water scenes (rivers, fountains, ocean, birds in flight). Your efforts are much appreciated. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

December 15th, 2007, 11:59 AM	#145
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	there is some fast moving stuff in my short film using the ex1 clean. You can see it here http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgrade720.mp4 it's only rivers and stuff. I really have had no problems with the codec. Also check out this: http://www.philipbloom.co.uk/Philip_..._Shorts.html#0 It's a short of a sunset in Cornwall. It is a shame you can't see a 1080p version of this. It's quite stunning. The most beautiful thing i have shot. It was shot on the big XDCAM HD F350 but it's the same codec, albeit CCD but slightly lower resolution. The MP4 compression does it no favours and it is slightly blocky. I must get a 720p done for you to see. The XDCAM code is so impressive. I shot all my HD stuff with it now, with HDV as B camera. I don't miss DVCPro hd. I don't miss the huge file sizes, i don't miss the tiny P2 card capacity and I don't miss the softer lower quality images. edit: I will be posting a 720p version of Sunset so can see how the XDCAM codec deals with fast moving stuff. It will be up with the half hour. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 12:52 PM	#148
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Hi Piotr My main aim is for UK broadcast and that is 25p. Blu ray delivery is not at the top of my list, especially since I still can't burn actually projects for use in domestic players with my mac pro yet. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 01:04 PM	#149
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	check out http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/sunset1080.divx in about half an hour it should be uploaded. shot on the f350 but it shows how well the codec can handle fast moving water. thanks to maxim again for hosting. i owe you a beer! __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 15th, 2007, 01:32 PM	#150
Grigory Volovich New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Moscow Russia Posts: 15	Phil, kew whole.mp4 excellent film....REALLY. Soundtrack.Who is the author? Last edited by Grigory Volovich; December 15th, 2007 at 02:51 PM.