Andrew Reid

Some more news on the VariCam.

 

It has raw output like Alexa, for external raw capture on Codex.

 

http://panasonicprovideo.tumblr.com/post/81453564820/varicam-raw

 

If they price this camera lower than Canon C500 it will leave Canon for dead in terms of sales.

Yes all CineLike-D, but not dialled down completely flat. I left contrast and sharpness in the middle (0) - I'll have a go at -5 for next test shoot.

Because it gives the grading tools 10bit colour space to work with and higher data rates.

 

Elbow room.

Here's my take on the Andy shot.  Simple white balance correction and some minor adjustment of the master levels. 

 

 

Nice!

 

Colours look natural. Wow what a difference. New slogan for GH4 - "I can't believe it isn't raw!"

The GH4's internally recorded 4K files can be converted to a chunky 2K 10bit ProRes 4444 image which grades extremely well.

To test this theory I call on colourists to have a go at it.

Arri Alexa ProRes files are available from their FTP server. Details below.

Read the full article here

Thanks Andrew for your review and samples!

I'm now seriously thinking of getting gh4.

I wanted to ask were the samples you provided shot with the flattest image sittings possible?

 

No, not the flattest possible. I left CineLikeD on default contrast settings (middle 0, not -5).

 

I generally prefer not to have too flat an image in an 8bit codec, because you have to push it further in post. That usually results in more banding and more break-up.

 

I have just downloaded some Alexa ProRes from Arri's FTP server. Anyone want a go at grading that against the GH4 ProRes?

 

First I recommend you downsample the GH4's ProRes LT from 4K to 2K and convert to 444.

 

These files LT files are here - https://www.copy.com/s/EoeMcoA2T9L4

 

Then download the 2K Arri ProRes and compare.

 

Unfortunately the Arri material is mega boring shot wise... just some old dude playing a xylophone!

 

But colourists might enjoy the experiment. The GH4's 4K H.264 makes for a very weighty 2K ProRes image for grading, me thinks.

 

Arri FTP details are here: http://www.arri.com/camera/digital_cameras/learn/alexa_sample_footage/

 

Server:        ftp-footage.arri.de
User:           ALEXA
Password:  samplefootage

Best footage so far from the GH4, but that's to be expected with an almost $8000 lens...Looking forward to footage from the Sigma 18-35.  

 

You're making it sound only about the lens. What about the nut behind the camera!?

 

The 18-35 is very nice, almost as sharp as the Cookes.

Like I said in the blog, the sunny shots and highlights are not optimal because I exposed too far to the right. Very little is blown out but they could have benefitted from coming to the left a bit.

 

Believe me the roll off is smooth and the dynamic range is very wide on this cam.

 

The pink comes from my grade. If I wasn't in such a rush to show it to you, I'd have spent another 6 hours on it and put it through Resolve or something  :)

 

Furthermore, still experimenting with what picture profiles to use, though I love what CineLike D is giving me so far, despite having a name like a vitamin supplement.

A-MEN!

This is the footage I've been waiting to see from this cam & it's about time. Awesome shots Andrew

 

Cheers. This is just a very quick test.

 

The proper project is the Spreepark with Frank. I can't wait to get started!! More to come.

Try using VLC Player. Quicktime is s**t

jcs, a few comments...

 

Windows 7 running on a Mac? Virtualised or bootcamp? If virtualised you will have lower performance. Also the MOV ProRes from Copy are much larger, higher bitrate files than the 4K MP4 (H.264) from my Vimeo account so you will be putting more demands on the drive read speed and the player.

 

Your grade is ok but could benefit from losing the yellow tint as the bonnet and cobbles no longer look brown.

 

Cheers

You're using a Novoflex Pistock-C with your 7D, is it any good?

 

Yes very good and built brilliantly as you'd expect from German engineering :)

The whole concept of privacy in a public place is a rather odd one.  A right to privacy implies that other people don't have the right to know what you are doing unless you permit it.  If you are in a public place everybody can see what you are doing, therefore you have no privacy.

 

This has implications beyond just photography and videography if taken to it's logical conclusion. The mere knowledge of a person being in a particular place at a particular time could be taken as an invasion of privacy.

 

Perhaps Germans should look see this public information film for advice:

 

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I agree 100%. Weird philosophy their law takes, from such an otherwise lovely country whose people have impeccable logic.

Recorded internally, 8bit 4:2:0 4K. Exported from Premiere Pro CC as ProRes 422 LT.

 

It isn't even ProRes 4444. Try converting it to that before grading :)

Andrew you will want to try out one of these if you allready havent. It's not perfect but it's very nice tool of it's own.

 

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574929666&toolid=10001&campid=5336727214&customid=&icep_item=270947685870&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

 

Hmm, might do. But it is Speed Booster for Canon I really want, even a passive one would be better than nothing! To see more of the glass, closer to the full frame look.

Hey Andrew- looks pretty good, perhaps Vimeo "upgrade" the video to 1080p (for folks without Plus etc. accounts; I'm downloading the 1GB 4K MP4 now).

 

Yes I will do this. Consider downloading the shorter clips from Copy (around 100MB each) instead if you just wanna see what the 4K image quality looks like. https://copy.com/EoeMcoA2T9L4

Above: GH4 test footage shot in 4096 x 2160 Cinema 4K DCI mode. Academy 1.85:1 aspect ratio. CineLikeD profile for best dynamic range.

Below: Cooke S4i Mini (uncoated Panchro/i version) on the GH4 with Ciecio7 PL adapter



Andrew Reid (EOSHD) and Frank Sauer (Filmmaker) are shooting with the Panasonic GH4

On Day 1 of shooting with the GH4 we did a location scout at the Spreepark abandoned theme park in Berlin. The park has granted us paid access to do a proper shoot with the free runners so I am going to save the location scouting footage for when it comes to that edit and the final piece. Frank is near Frankfurt now with the GH4 to shoot a piece with a new aerial drone and gimbal (similar to MoVi) and I have been out shooting with the GH4 around Berlin to get an idea of the image quality when it comes to 4K. I've also tried grading the 100Mbit/s 4K codec in Premiere to see how well it holds up. Here are the results in glorious 4K!

Disclaimer 1: This GH4 is a pre-production model. Firmware version is v0.5. The image quality may not represent the final camera.

Disclaimer 2: Because I don't have NDs big enough or good enough for the Cooke lenses yet, most shots were shot at higher shutter speeds than 180 degrees (1/50)

Tip: if you don't have a Vimeo Plus account to download the original file and pixel peep I've uploaded some short GH4 4K clips here in ProRes LT format. Try grading them and looking at the detail 1:1!

Read the full article here

Ah OK will fix that, thanks.

beautiful.  I think I fell in love with your model a couple of times throughout the 2.5mins.

 

rather than a test showing the camera image quality (we all know what great 1080p/2k and dr from cameras shooting more than 8bit h264 looks like), the piece actually highlights how use of lenses designed for the image plane they're being used on create their own amazing look.  those 16mm lenses do marvellous things to the image.  

 

No other camera / lens combination would have allowed this piece to look the way it does.  - the horrific black magic pocket may have been cleaner, but the shutter skew and stupid form factor would have hindered just about every creative decision you made that day.  I can't afford one of these at the moment but will be sure to keep an eye out for one when they come down a bit in price.

 

She is an English gal as well. Lovely girl and very patient with all our camera nerdery.

I agree on the vintage lenses. When you match a lens to the sensor size it is meant for, good things happen. Part of the reason full frame looks so nice is because you see the edge of the lens - the slightly vignette, the slight curve in the bokeh, the extra flare, etc. Same with c-mount lenses, just on a smaller area.

 

We tried a Canon 50mm F1.2L FD - was not the same... sometimes only getting the 'best part' of the lens (the centre) results in a boring image.

 

I definitely would like to buy a Digital Bolex as well... an extra look in the bag. Really fun to use. I am sold on it, but the price is a bit high for a '2nd camera' I think.

What about this?  Is that defamation campaign or a sad reality ?

 

April 1st joke and attention seeking for clicks.

Also guys don't forget this is a pre-production firmware, v0.5 not the final one which will ship to customers.

Enlarging of 2K frames doesnt work Andrew.

 

I don't know what you mean.

We tried the non-debayered display, it didn't really help for focus on the built in screen although the other option (greyscale) did a bit.

 

I don't think the non-debayered display can be activated over HDMI.... Can it? I am not aware of that.

 

What they need is a sharper HDMI output and some better focus aids & exposure aids in my view. I am sure they will come in firmware updates. This is still early days and a first release product.

 

Such a fun camera. Remember - NO camera is perfect.

Slow-mo at 60fps is better, the image is much sharper. Slow-mo at 96fps is ok for most stuff but you do notice the softness with wider shots and if the subject is quite far from the camera.

 

4K is the point of the GH4 for me. Slow-mo an unexpected bonus.

 

4K footage is very gradable... you will see. I have shot with every pic profile and will upload a comparison. I like CineLikeD the best.

 

Next daily report is being prepared now, just need to finish editing the footage and wanted to do the Digital Bolex piece first, so have a bit of patience and good things will come to those who wait :)

The Digital Bolex has stumbled into the world. It is alive. Now it must find a place for itself. Most importantly of all - is this new replicant Bolex actually convincing?

Time to find out.

Read the full article here