Anyone know about the Canon XL-1? I got a questio

[KingDan]

I'll be using the XL-1 to record a stage play and the director wants it to look very much like film. I know about the features on the camera, but as I was watching a "Making of" documentary on the XL-1...
http://canondv.com/xl1/movie/index.html

...the DP said that there was a "minus 3DB" mode that turned the video curve into a film curve, giving it a more flattering film look. Does anyone know what this "minus 3DB" is? How do I get it to work? (sometimes the frame mode on the XL-1 isn't enough, I want to go that extra step)

Check out the Making of documentary in the link above... it's worth a look.

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How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?

[Bradley Wilson]

There's a dial next to the white-balace dial that has a -3DB setting. Is that what you're looking for?

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I may not make good films, but at least I make my films!

[KingDan]

Does it say "-3DB" on it? Or is it just a DB setting button (with levels you can change from, say, -3DB to +4DB)?

A Digital DP said that it turned the video curve into something more like a film curve. I'm really interested in checking that out.

Wilson, do you own an XL-1? Thanks.

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How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?

[Bradley Wilson]

Sadly, no. I'm borrowing one (in exchange for some CG title work) that I will be using to shoot my first horror film with. The camera I own is a Sony Digital8 TRV-510 and it has some serious shortcomings, especially when filming in low-light conditions.

I'll check the manual again when I get home, but the only -3DB setting I've seen is on that gain dial next to the while balance. I don't remember anything in the menus that dealt with that issue. I'm still a total newbie with the XL1 (I've only had it for a few days) and could be seriously wrong, though.

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I may not make good films, but at least I make my films!

[marti-c]

I'm not too sure about this one either but for what it's worth it may be this -3db is bringing the gain down which means that you would be working in bright lighting conditions. It could also be linked to the auto Knee setting which changes the curvature of the contrast ratios to a higher setting which is closer to film (black to white) normal video is about 40:1 whilst film can be 1000:1


marti

[eddie]

It does sound like a gain button, so you will need plenty of light (but it sounds like you already have that)

Remember that its very difficult making a play look like a film for more reasons than just the 'video quality'.
Simple effects will help to make it more 'filmy' such as if you can, get lots close ups during dress rehearsals, which you can cut in when you edit it. Otherwise you might be forced into simply video-ing from a stationary tripod for the duration. With no cuts it wont look like a film.

good luck