HPX170 Depth of Field Footage

I shot a test reel with my Panasonic AG-HPX170, exercising the camera's depth of field strengths. One of the big reasons some folks give for buying the HPX170 (and the older HVX200) is the dramatic depth of field capabilities that give it a "cinematic" feel. This HPX170 footage was shot at 1080i24p with the iris in auto mode, using the manual focus. Camera was white balanced, and the Wave Form Monitor expressed slightly lower than optimal light levels.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• HPX170

[SK3055]

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.

[StaceyCochran]

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.

[mediasoupstories]

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

[StaceyCochran]

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.

[joeypk12]

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.

[StaceyCochran]

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.

[dallassterling]

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.

[jamietr117]

Stacey, what 35mm adapter are you using? And what lenses? This is amazing!

[HotCereals]

This is without using a 35 mm adapter?

Just the camera?

[BreakthroughFilms]

@Lionboytoy It's $4,200 on amazon

[tammanraset]

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.

[zookmann]

is this all telephotoed?

[Zrider87]

I was wondering what would be the difference on this HPX170 and the AG-HMC150PJ? :D