Different camera shoot

[Reginald T. Miller]

Guys, I need advise on how to match up two different cameras, the xl2 and the dvx100b or any camera for that matter. Just from listening to other videographers, there will be a difference in the way the video looks. Can this be done sucessfully( i.e with out any noticble difference in video) if so,how can this be done? Is it worth the effort, or should I just consider using only 1 type?

Please advise

Reggie

[Don Bloom]

it's always best to use the same make of camera in multiple camera shoots but even then they might be off slightly. However to answer your question about 2 different camera manufacturers, to get them to match as close as possible the best way is to set up a set of color bars from your NLE onto a properly adjusted production monitor then take the camera that will be the primary or number 1 camera for the shoot put it on the monitor see where everything falls using a waveform and or vectorscope etc. and then go to the 2nd camera and adjust to match as closely as possible-finish adjust of 2nd camera footage in post production using things like coloer correction, color levels etc.

Now having said that I can pretty well assure you that many if not most guys/gals in the wedding and event side of the business probably don't do that so what to do in the real world. Hook the cameras up to a TV and adjust from there. The DVX might have more adjustment latitude than the Canon I can't remember but choose the 1 you want to be the #1 camera and adjust the other one to closely match that.
Chances are you won't get it 100% but as they say you should be able to get it close enough for government work ;-)

HTHs
Don

[Peter Jefferson]

ul have to dumb down the XL2 and set up the gamma on teh dvx to be rather flat

aside from that, id also recomend u use standard WB temps (32 or 56k) and adjust in post as required.
Each CCD responds to light and white differently, so manual WB will be more troubl than what its worth

apart from that, what Don has said is pretty much the only solution and even with that, it wont be exact.

I shoudl point out, that even WITH identical cameras, WB will ALWAYS be slightly off , unless of course your in a totally controlled environment

[Reginald T. Miller]

Don Bloom and Peter Jefferson thanks for your replies.

Reggie
Down in Memphis Tn.