The 170 has a 1/3" imager... one of the deepest DOF sensors commonly used. I don't think I've ever heard of one person suggesting there was anything cinematic in feel about that imager, optically speaking... unless you're shooting Citizen Kane.Sure it starts to get shallow when you're on the longest lens 51mm at an f3. How's your DOF at wider FOVs? Pretty deep, I'd say. In practice you wouldn't be shooting scenes with the camera in the next room on a 51mm. Your test is a little misleading.
The depth of field is impressive but, like you said, you're getting "within 18 inches" of a subject to get that extreme bokeh.
I highly recommend getting a 35mm adapter. Makes every shot look much more filmic than just using a digital lens . That + color correction can create some pretty impressive footage.
See my HPX170 video titled "The Poetry Sessions." Most of that DOF footage in it is from a greater distance, several feet away. You don't have to be close (within two feet) for the DOF to work.
What were your camera settings and also how did you export from FCP? Did you use compressor? I heard that 1080i would not look good on Youtube as it wants 720P.
Exporting well from FCP is skillset you can only get good at with trial and error. For youtube, I export HD 1080/24p video from FCP as MP4 files at 5000kb/sec and key frames set every 15 frames and at a frame resolution of 1920×1080. This preserves the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. At these numbers, any video you put on YouTube will look as good as any major TV studio (CNN, MSNBS, etc.), and if folks are watching on an HDTV, the picture is crystal clear.
Stay tune for some really cool footage I'm planning to shoot this weekend (July 11, 2009) with actors; should really be pushing the HPX170 to the limit.
Depth of field is easy with the HPX170. Basically, you get up close to an object (within 18 inches), yet you have something in the background more than three feet away. By using the focus ring in manual focus mode, you simply adjust the focus from one object to other.
thanks for putting this up.. love the depth of field.. only reinforces my decision to ditch my HVX200 and get this camera.. how do you like the scopes? helpful? how's the focusing on the camera? that's always been my main problem with the hvx.
The HPX170 has several WaveForm Monitors that are handy to check your light levels. Additionally, the camera does have a "Focus Assist" which brings up an inset window with extreme zoom so that you can fine tune your focus.
It is the same size, but it has the chip improvements of the HVX200A. The DOF feel is not exactly the same due to different focal lengths. The HVX200A and HPX170 have a wider angle lens. HVX200 has a light sensitivity of 320 ISO while the HVX200A and HPX170 are 500 ISO, meaning better low light conditions. With better low light conditions one is able to lower the f-stop, also contributing to better DOF.
I like it, especially knowing I need not spend for an adaptor as I ponder getting this camera. Just wondering what's your thoughts about the Steadicam Merlin for this camera? Nice music also, who is it?
I don't have any experience using a steadi-cam with the HPX170. I think it would be a nice addition, though. The music is from The Da Vinci Code soundtrack.
No adapter was used to get this footage. This is the HPX170 shooting in manual focus mode, and I was simply rotating the focus ring manually to achieve these shots.
The 170 has a 1/3" imager... one of the deepest DOF sensors commonly used. I don't think I've ever heard of one person suggesting there was anything cinematic in feel about that imager, optically speaking... unless you're shooting Citizen Kane.Sure it starts to get shallow when you're on the longest lens 51mm at an f3. How's your DOF at wider FOVs? Pretty deep, I'd say. In practice you wouldn't be shooting scenes with the camera in the next room on a 51mm. Your test is a little misleading.
dallassterling 1 year ago 2
Stacey, what 35mm adapter are you using? And what lenses? This is amazing!
jamietr117 1 year ago
This is without using a 35 mm adapter?
Just the camera?
HotCereals 1 year ago
Hi Stacey,
I'm impressed with this footage! Did you have the camera super close to your main subject to get this effect?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.
Tammanrasset.
tammanraset 2 years ago
is this all telephotoed?
zookmann 2 years ago
I was wondering what would be the difference on this HPX170 and the AG-HMC150PJ? :D
Zrider87 2 years ago
The depth of field is impressive but, like you said, you're getting "within 18 inches" of a subject to get that extreme bokeh.
I highly recommend getting a 35mm adapter. Makes every shot look much more filmic than just using a digital lens . That + color correction can create some pretty impressive footage.
SK3055 2 years ago 4
See my HPX170 video titled "The Poetry Sessions." Most of that DOF footage in it is from a greater distance, several feet away. You don't have to be close (within two feet) for the DOF to work.
StaceyCochran 2 years ago
Stacey,
What were your camera settings and also how did you export from FCP? Did you use compressor? I heard that 1080i would not look good on Youtube as it wants 720P.
Thanks
mediasoupstories 2 years ago
Exporting well from FCP is skillset you can only get good at with trial and error. For youtube, I export HD 1080/24p video from FCP as MP4 files at 5000kb/sec and key frames set every 15 frames and at a frame resolution of 1920×1080. This preserves the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. At these numbers, any video you put on YouTube will look as good as any major TV studio (CNN, MSNBS, etc.), and if folks are watching on an HDTV, the picture is crystal clear.
StaceyCochran 2 years ago
Stacey,
What kind of video file did you upload to YouTube? .mpg? Did you use Final Cut Pro? Just trying to get an idea of the digital workflow...
Thanks.
joeypk12 2 years ago
This is an mp4 upload. I edited it in FCP.
Stay tune for some really cool footage I'm planning to shoot this weekend (July 11, 2009) with actors; should really be pushing the HPX170 to the limit.
StaceyCochran 2 years ago
How much is this new HD cam? I own a dvx100A...its time to upgrade : )
Lionboytoy 2 years ago
@Lionboytoy It's $4,200 on amazon
BreakthroughFilms 1 year ago
how do you get depth of field i use a hitachi hdd camcroder?
RandomKidsRule 2 years ago
Depth of field is easy with the HPX170. Basically, you get up close to an object (within 18 inches), yet you have something in the background more than three feet away. By using the focus ring in manual focus mode, you simply adjust the focus from one object to other.
StaceyCochran 2 years ago
when i do that it adjusts the whole image
RandomKidsRule 2 years ago
The HPX170 has a wide-angle lens. Doesn't sound like your Hitachi does. It's part of why this camera cost 5,000 bucks.
StaceyCochran 2 years ago
Now that's a beautiful picture
babyjaby 2 years ago
How it works in low light condition, cuse the hvx really sucks...the price?
alxfox 2 years ago
thanks for putting this up.. love the depth of field.. only reinforces my decision to ditch my HVX200 and get this camera.. how do you like the scopes? helpful? how's the focusing on the camera? that's always been my main problem with the hvx.
pkendall09 3 years ago
The HPX170 has several WaveForm Monitors that are handy to check your light levels. Additionally, the camera does have a "Focus Assist" which brings up an inset window with extreme zoom so that you can fine tune your focus.
StaceyCochran 3 years ago
This camera has exactly the same sized sensor as the HVX200. 1/3 inch chip. There is no difference between DOF on this cam and the HVX200.
Siinji 3 years ago
It is the same size, but it has the chip improvements of the HVX200A. The DOF feel is not exactly the same due to different focal lengths. The HVX200A and HPX170 have a wider angle lens. HVX200 has a light sensitivity of 320 ISO while the HVX200A and HPX170 are 500 ISO, meaning better low light conditions. With better low light conditions one is able to lower the f-stop, also contributing to better DOF.
ParkerYates 2 years ago
I like it, especially knowing I need not spend for an adaptor as I ponder getting this camera. Just wondering what's your thoughts about the Steadicam Merlin for this camera? Nice music also, who is it?
Intervention1 3 years ago
I don't have any experience using a steadi-cam with the HPX170. I think it would be a nice addition, though. The music is from The Da Vinci Code soundtrack.
StaceyCochran 3 years ago
No adapter was used to get this footage. This is the HPX170 shooting in manual focus mode, and I was simply rotating the focus ring manually to achieve these shots.
StaceyCochran 3 years ago
wait u weren't using an adapter? did you have to back up far for the dpth of field.
fourthwall1 3 years ago