George Ebersole

It sounds like you're thinking about interlaced video, at standard definition. There are plenty progressive-scan cameras that avoid these issues now. At HD resolution aliasing isn't so much of a problem, just an overall softness of resolution compared to 35mm film. Interlaced artifacts are gone altogether with cameras that shoot true 24P.

 

The chips and signal processing in these cameras has improved greatly since the Beta SP days. Dynamic range, gamma processing, color matrices and sensitivity are much better than they used to be and can more closely mimic many film-like qualities, although I won't say they look the same as film.

 

It's not impossible to shoot a good-looking, compelling short film on prosumer HD gear. People do it all the time, when they know how to use the gear. You just have to decide what your short film really demands. If it MUST look nearly indistinguishable from 35mm film when projected on a large theater screen, then you pretty much need a high-end camera with good lenses. If it only has to exist on DVD or the web, you can often get by with less expensive equipment, especially if you know how to use it well.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking of. I guess I'm showing my age as well as my ignorance on HD format.

My project doesn't demand a film look, but it would be a bonus artisiticly. I've shot second unit stuff for bikini videos with an old Canon A-1, and construction industrials with an L-1, and although the old Hi-8 format wasn't BETACAM quality, it was good enough for cutaways, a pretty crisp compared to consumer stuff. I had it in my mind that a prosumer HD camera might be a couple cuts above Hi8 in comparison to BETACAM or 3/4". Everything I read about HD suggested there were still some minor issues with a film transfer, as you stated. But I wasn't sure, and I really wanted an expert opinion on it, which is why I came here.

Like I said, I really need to shoot some test footage to prepare myself. But your insight has been invaluable, and led me in the right direction.

I want to go the JVC route as opposed to either the Canon or SONY prosumer route, largely because of the higher definition. That and I think the bayonet mount is a major plus for different lenses. The higher definition coupled with that lens mount I think is far superior to Canon's EOS adaptor option for a prosumer camera project. I can't afford to rent the fancy movie lens mounts, but I can still give myself some leeway in terms of focal lengths.

Thanks again, Michael. I really do appreciate the feedback.

Thanks much for the reply. That was kind of my goal, and I thought some good anti-aliasing software would help render a nice film look. But your response only confirms my fears.

Of all the industrials, commercials and training vids I've worked on, every one except, for some early Beta-16 (16mm film digitially transferred to BETACAM as a tech demonstrator around 1989), has a distinct video flavor, even when the DP was trying to get a film feel. But I never forgot that Beta-16 footage I saw, and aside from the raster showing up during pans and tracking shots, it looked pretty good.

That was years ago, and I figured by now the kinks would have been worked out of it now. But you're telling me that this may not be the case....

I've heard what you said about the JVC and Canon; i.e. there's a reason they're $5,000 cameras, and not $30,000 studio cameras. But I guess the best way to find out is to shoot some test footage first.

Thanks for the reply. It was the answer I was dreading, but the kind of honest response I wanted.

Thanks again.

To clarify, I'd like to shoot a ten minute film at 720p using JVCs GYHD250, though I'll certainly be happy with a 110. I'd like to shoot it at 24fps, edit it, then transfer it to either 16mm or 35 stock. Years back I used to camera ops for BETAcam SP shoots, and did some Hi-8 second unit stuff. I've been around Panavision, Arriflex (I own a 2C, but with no crystal sync motor, and refuse to spend anymore money on it) and Moviecam cameras, as well as Sony and Ikegamis, but this will be my own shoot, and am a little concerned that I'm stepping in the right direction.

Thanks much for any reply.

Hi there.

I was wondering if anybody has ever used any of JVC's GY series with the intent of transfering said footage to film?

I'm thinking of shooting a short, but wanted to hopefully make things easier on myself by shooting 720p with JVC's camera, then transferring the final edited footed to either a high grade 16mm or 35mm film.

Thanks much for any input.