MZolomij

I have been shooting table with the Sony XDHD 350. Typically, I will shoot at 30p. The camera represents colors well and has a good depth of field. While I was very skeptical of this camera at first and question the "Cinealta" sticker on the side... over time I have been very happy with the images. Some of that work can be seen at www.bdmp.tv Good luck. z

Hi, I would look at a Kino Image 80 or you may want to think about bouncing a 2 or 5k into a 4x8 foamcore shoot that is over camera. My concern would be on your interview room - 2/5k will heat up a room in no time and make everyone uncomfortable. The Image 80 is a pretty big Kino and if it needs to go softer you can add a little diffusion... food for thought. Good luck. z

Man, I think these are some really pretty shots. My only thoughts are the two kids' bedroom shots - the motivation of the light for the girls' rooms doesn't jibe (in agreement with previous post) and I think the boys in the foreground could have used a little hit of back light movitated by the night light. You should be very proud... these are great shots... food for thought. z

I agree with the previous post - the third shot is a nice "in" to your reel. I don't think the music necessarily bothers me but I do think that the shot could be tightened up alot. Think of your reel, or montage, as the best of your best and then follow that montage with scenes from the movies. The montage is the tease... leave them wanting more. The scenes after hopefully satisfy that need and solidifies the deal.

Thanks for taking the time to look at the reel. I am a bit torn on the music and I will be adding some more footage from other projects. I feel this may help the pacing. Thanks, again. z

Hello all, I have posted my DP reel at: www.bdmp.tv If you would like to post any critique, I would greatly appreciate it. z

Could it be in the compression? Lighting up a scene will create more information to be compressed; where a scene lit with just a flashlight will not have as much information - less to compress. The blurring and blocky images you described really sound like a bad or poor quality compression tool. How does your image look played back from the camera or a deck? If there is the image issues that you describe then it could be a dirty head in your camera. If the image is fine on play back then I would think your problem would be in the compression. Good luck. z

I have been using the XDcam HD 350 for about five months and I do think that it is much better than the DVX100 (I have not used the HVX200). I have a tough time truly calling it a "CineAlta" but I think that it does a fairly shallow depth of field and takes some nice images. The overcranking is nice as well. If you work your DOF and go to a good post house - it will look filmic. z

I've rated the camera at a 250asa @ 24fps.

Hello Kal, It really depends on what you are shooting. Your settings sound fine but without knowing what you are shooting it is tough to make any suggestions.

All your shots look nice. I think the "moon light" is way too blue. I feel as though moon light is a paler blue. The shots that you could use only practicals are great... just what you had to go through makes them great. Sometimes it's the journey and hindsight that makes things sweeter. Always remember - light is light. Whether it is the instruments in a new light kit or a $5 desk lamp - in essence they do the same thing. Don't get hung up on that it doesn't have Desisti stamped on the side just keep doing it with what is there in front of you. Keep going! z

Agreed! Find like-minded people and challange one another. Be daring, make mistakes (and learn from them), and just keep doing it!

I love Conrad Hall because he loved the happy accident and readily admits to it... sometimes I feel as though many DP's make everything their idea. It is all so organic to Conrad. He still inspires me to this day. My favorite is "Searching for Bobby Fischer". z

I have read many of the comments of my peers and I think you have a bunch of great advice. I would like to add this: Honor your vision and don't worry about blowing up to 35mm (unless you know that you have the money to do it) or if someone would invest in a black & white feature. If you want to shoot Black & White. Shoot Black & White. Don't worry about who is going to buy it. When you are a success, the money will be making more decisions than you may want. Now is the time to experiment and be daring. Best of luck. z

Dear Tracy, I have run into a similar situation with the Sony 790. While shooting an interview and using a hardwire mic, I began to hear drop out and "electronic clicking." To make sure that I was correct in what I was hearng, I rolled the tape back and found that the noise was truly being laid to tape. I notified my Producer and we began to trouble shoot - switching xlr, then mic, then switching to wireless, then camera... the seemly random noise persisted. I was stumped. My Producer asked to hear the noise and immediate recognized it - she had previously hear the same thing when her cell phone was placed near her car radio. I was surprised that the cell phone was actually creating this noise inside the camera. We all shut our phones off (mine was on vibrate) and proceeded with the interview without incident. I investigated the occurance further with some Engineers and they told me that problem was casued by a cell phone going into roam. Take care, z