HD Varicam

Hi everyone !!

I would like to know it there is a way to change the frame rate while recording on the Varicam, and if anyone would like to share some tips.

I would appreciate it.

Thanks!!!

Polyvios Symeonides
Camera Operator
Cyprus

Polyvios,

You press the select dial and move the rate with the shutter buttons - you can just do it as you shoot. There is also a device that I say at IBC fordoing proper ramps, I'll try and find the brochure.

Take care,

Chris Cooke-Johnson
Director
Creative Junction Inc.
Barbados
www.creativejunction.com

If you want the exposure to stay the same when you change the speed, then follow this process :

1. Menu setting :

In the film setting on the camera you will normally have the shutter-speed in degrees, changes this to seconds. Hold the menu button for four seconds to enter the Main menu, go to FILM (CAM) MAIN MENU 2
SHUTTER SELECT
Then change for instance Position 2 from 172,8 " (degree ) to for instance 1/100 second
"FILM (CAM) MAIN MENU 2".
<SHUTTER SELECT>
Then leave the menu.

To change the speed when recording, press the select dial and move the rate with the +/- buttons - you can just do it as you shoot.

There is also a device that called the Tranny , on this address :

http://www.clarityimage.com/

I’m in no way a part of their business have just read about it on their web.

Best regards

Frank Alvegg, DP
Oslo - Norway
www.handyfilm.no
www.alvegg.no

>To change the speed when recording, press the select dial and move the rate with >the +/- buttons - you can just do it as you shoot

I've done a lot of rampings with the Varicam, and I find that the best way to do it is using a CCU instead of the synchro scan buttons. Go by menu to the speed page and use the rotatory selector of the CCU during the shot, and you don't have to be worried about the short time that you have when you press the button in the camera to change the speed.

The bad thing is that you have the menus on screen during the ramping...

Pol Turrents
DoP Spain, Barcelona

Pol Turrents wrote :

>I've done a lot of rampings with the Varicam, and I find that the best way to do it is >using a CCU instead of the synchro scan buttons.

Pol, does the CCU adjust the iris too or do you have to make a manual stop pull?

Matthew Woolf
NYC DP

>Pol, Does the CCU adjust the iris too or do you have to make a manual stop pull?

You have to follow the steps that Frank Alvegg said in a previous email, setting the shutter in a chronometric form (1/60, 1/100...) then you don't have to modify the iris. The camera compensates the difference of light, and you only have to worry about the camera speed.

Pol Turrents
DoP Spain, Barcelona

Pol, Matthew,

>hold the menu button for 4 seconds to enter the main menu, go to FILM(CAM) MAIN >MENU 2,SHUTTER SELECT. THEN CHANGE FOR INSTANCE POSITION 2 FROM >172.8(DEGREE) TO FOR INSTANCE 1/100 SECOND.FILM(CAM)MAIN MENU 2.
> then leave the menu.

Yes, this, is in effect a "shutter priority mode" to use a stills term. Exposure time stays the same regardless of frame rate.

Cheers,

Kim Sargenius
Cinematographer / Filmmaker
Sydney

Pol, Matthew,

> hold the menu button for 4 seconds to enter the main menu, go to FILM(CAM) MAIN >MENU 2,SHUTTER SELECT. THEN CHANGE FOR INSTANCE POSITION 2 FROM >172.8(DEGREE) TO FOR INSTANCE 1/100 SECOND.FILM(CAM)MAIN MENU 2.
>then leave the menu.

Yes, this, is in effect a "shutter priority mode" to use a stills term. Exposure time stays the same regardless of frame rate.

Cheers,

Kim Sargenius
Cinematographer / Filmmaker
Sydney

Kim,

I see your point. The shutter IS changing but it’s changing relative to the frame rate, and the aperture ISN’T changing.

So it’s a shutter/aperture priority!

Take care

Chris Cooke-Johnson
Director
Creative Junction Inc.
Barbados

Chris

> So it1s a shutter/aperture priority!

Or Exposure Priority; as that is the only thing that *doesn't* change.

Cheers,

Kim Sargenius
Cinematographer / Filmmaker
Sydney

Polyvios Symeonides wrote:

>I would like to know it there is a way to change the frame rate while recording on the >Varicam, and if anyone would like to share some tips.

Speed-Ramps with a Varicam:

Just found the brochure:

Check out the TRANNY (no - nothing to do with transvestites)

http://www.clarityimage.com/pdfs/tranny.pdf

I haven’t tried it - did anyone on the list?

I’d love to hear practical results...

Cheers

+++ Florian Reattach +++
+++ Europe based DIT / vision control +++