Frame mode or normal mode for 35mm transfer? at DVinfo.net

Bob Zimmerman · June 28th, 2003, 07:44 AM

I'm sure there is a thread somewhere for this question but I'll ask anyway.

If your going to shoot something with the hope that someday it would make it to the bigscreen, is it better to leave the XL1s in the normal mode. I think I read once if it is in the movie mode it can not be transfered to film.

K. Forman · June 28th, 2003, 07:50 AM

I think it would depend on who you were going to have transfer it. In which case, you should contact a few places and find out what works best for them.

I personally wasn't happy with frame mode, but then, I never did anything bound for film.

Chris Hurd · June 28th, 2003, 08:43 AM

Frame movie mode can indeed be transferred to film; some facilities prefer it this way. See the Watchdog:

DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part One
DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part Two
DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part Three

Hope this helps,

Bob Zimmerman · June 28th, 2003, 10:06 AM

Thanks Chris. Trying to find in my manual what the XL1s shoots in the frame mode. So that tech guide said to use 25p PAL. What is the USA model?

Frank Granovski · June 28th, 2003, 11:25 AM

Bob, each transfer house have their own methods of transfer. This includes not only PAL or NTSC, interlaced or non-interlaced, but also other requirements such as a locked shutter and certain shutter speeds. Always check with the transfer house you have in mind before shooting anything. There was a good film-look/film transfer article a few issues back in DV Magazine. On Adam's site, there is good info about this also:

http://www.adamwilt.com

PS: one thing often overlooked with shooting for film transfer is the audio.

Srinivasa Yerneni · July 11th, 2003, 05:09 PM

I don't own a XL1s, but played with it in store display. I observed the frame mode is not as smooth as normal mode when the camera is panning or moving. I don't know how it looks when played on TV. How is this discontinuous motion taken care when blowing to film?
Are there any settings in frame mode to make it look normal while panning? I saw this on GL2 also. How do you do it?

Michael Morlan · July 12th, 2003, 11:57 PM

Srinivasa wrote:

"I observed the frame mode is not as smooth as normal mode..."

And it won't be. That's the nature of shooting at 30fps. 24fps film is even more pronounced when panning. In fact, there are some general rules about how fast one should pan a film camera to prevent the harsh strobing of objects moving too quickly through the film.

I can't remember the specific rules. They are in the ASC guide. Anyone?

Michael

June 28th, 2003, 07:44 AM	#1
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Just a simple ? I'm sure there is a thread somewhere for this question but I'll ask anyway. If your going to shoot something with the hope that someday it would make it to the bigscreen, is it better to leave the XL1s in the normal mode. I think I read once if it is in the movie mode it can not be transfered to film.

June 28th, 2003, 08:43 AM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,369 Images: 513	Frame movie mode can indeed be transferred to film; some facilities prefer it this way. See the Watchdog: DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part One DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part Two DV to 35mm Technology Guide, Part Three Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 11th, 2003, 05:09 PM	#6
Srinivasa Yerneni Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 30	I don't own a XL1s, but played with it in store display. I observed the frame mode is not as smooth as normal mode when the camera is panning or moving. I don't know how it looks when played on TV. How is this discontinuous motion taken care when blowing to film? Are there any settings in frame mode to make it look normal while panning? I saw this on GL2 also. How do you do it? __________________ - Srinivasa Yerneni

July 12th, 2003, 11:57 PM	#7
Michael Morlan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 79	Srinivasa wrote: "I observed the frame mode is not as smooth as normal mode..." And it won't be. That's the nature of shooting at 30fps. 24fps film is even more pronounced when panning. In fact, there are some general rules about how fast one should pan a film camera to prevent the harsh strobing of objects moving too quickly through the film. I can't remember the specific rules. They are in the ASC guide. Anyone? Michael __________________ Michael Morlan . cinematographer \| local 600 operator http://michael-morlan.net . http://talltalepictures.com

June 28th, 2003, 07:50 AM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I think it would depend on who you were going to have transfer it. In which case, you should contact a few places and find out what works best for them. I personally wasn't happy with frame mode, but then, I never did anything bound for film.

June 28th, 2003, 10:06 AM	#4
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Thanks Chris. Trying to find in my manual what the XL1s shoots in the frame mode. So that tech guide said to use 25p PAL. What is the USA model?

June 28th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Bob, each transfer house have their own methods of transfer. This includes not only PAL or NTSC, interlaced or non-interlaced, but also other requirements such as a locked shutter and certain shutter speeds. Always check with the transfer house you have in mind before shooting anything. There was a good film-look/film transfer article a few issues back in DV Magazine. On Adam's site, there is good info about this also: http://www.adamwilt.com PS: one thing often overlooked with shooting for film transfer is the audio.