Making choices I have to live with...

[stonepatterson]

Could really use your opinions and help in making some final decisions...

Leaning towards axing-out my S4000Pro and moving up to a S6000. Can you spell 'lemon' -- that has been my luck with the S4000Pro. I love the editing system, quality, etc. but after two flop machines...
I do have some questions for all of you that know far more than I. I need your advice, cause I am extremely limited in budget and while there is some funding to help with a new camera, everything else has to come from my own pocket (which is mostly empty).

1) I am also taking the advice on a new camera system from those that know the S6000... Canon XF300 (4:2:2 & 50 Mbps MPEG-2) or would it be better for me to go with a XF305 (with the added composite outputs)? Also, there is a good chance that I will have to sell the camera after the production(s) are done in the autumn of 2012 ... which would give me the better % of return?
2) Leaning towards 1920 x 1080 @ 30p mode (while I love Twixter which can't be used in 30P mode, I hate the aliasing even more) are there other S6000 or software glitches when shooting in the 30p mode @ 50 Mbps? Need to get the best picture available.
3) Is there a better way than using a USB slot reader for downloading card footage onto the S6000?
4) Also in the upcoming production(s), we will be using some footage from a DSLR, (Canon D7 belongs to a member of the crew) for shallow depth of field shots (avoid moire & aliasing) to be mixed in with the XF300 (or XF305) footage. Backup cameras for audio (using a Neumann BCM-705 microphone on boom) and for archiving production history we are using my old DVcam DSR300. Will this create any complications on the S6000 during edit and final (no DVcam image footage will be mixed in with 1080 footage -- just the audio tracks for capturing 'boom' sound and ambient audio)?
5) What other factors should I be aware of (that I am currently not) if I move forward with the S6000 and FX300. I will have limited funds once camera (batteries, 60Mbps 32X cards, matte box, support, plate and etc.) have been purchased, (I already have LED lighting systems, quality audio equipment and various camera supports).

I have received a lot of quality suggestions in this forum. I read and learn here often, cause I am not a know it all and always manage to forget something. I might be putting more on my plate than I can eat, in these horrible economic times, gotta move slowly. Thanks to all and any who respond.

stone patterson @ http://www.hauntedmovie.com

[LouBruno]

Could really use your opinions and help in making some final decisions...

Leaning towards axing-out my S4000Pro and moving up to a S6000. Can you spell 'lemon' -- that has been my luck with the S4000Pro. I love the editing system, quality, etc. but after two flop machines...
I do have some questions for all of you that know far more than I. I need your advice, cause I am extremely limited in budget and while there is some funding to help with a new camera, everything else has to come from my own pocket (which is mostly empty).

Never a problem with the S4KPro and the S41K. You will get slightly faster rendering time with the S6000.

1) I am also taking the advice on a new camera system from those that know the S6000... Canon XF300 (4:2:2 & 50 Mbps MPEG-2) or would it be better for me to go with a XF305 (with the added composite outputs)? Also, there is a good chance that I will have to sell the camera after the production(s) are done in the autumn of 2012 ... which would give me the better % of return?

I owned the XF-300. It was overkill. The XF-100 had the same picture quality to my eye in good light albeit not a long lens. Skip the 305 in BOGART. The XF-300 is a very SHARP camera and interline twitter has been a problem-check the XF forums. Lots of shimmering. Keep the detail down to -7. However..... I would consider the new Panasonic AG AC-130/160. BT, if 50Mps is important for broadcasting purposes, the XF series using MPEG-2 work very well in BOGART.


2) Leaning towards 1920 x 1080 @ 30p mode (while I love Twixter which can't be used in 30P mode, I hate the aliasing even more) are there other S6000 or software glitches when shooting in the 30p mode @ 50 Mbps? Need to get the best picture available.


Twixtor can be used in 30P mode. Close out the project and designate as Interlaced, use TWIXTOR and return BACK to a "P" project.



3) Is there a better way than using a USB slot reader for downloading card footage onto the S6000?


NOPE...this is a universal method for most HD softwares. However, a BLACK MAGIC DESIGN card will download HDMI. Not found in most systems anyway and can't be used in BOGART.


4) Also in the upcoming production(s), we will be using some footage from a DSLR, (Canon D7 belongs to a member of the crew) for shallow depth of field shots (avoid moire & aliasing) to be mixed in with the XF300 (or XF305) footage. Backup cameras for audio (using a Neumann BCM-705 microphone on boom) and for archiving production history we are using my old DVcam DSR300. Will this create any complications on the S6000 during edit and final (no DVcam image footage will be mixed in with 1080 footage -- just the audio tracks for capturing 'boom' sound and ambient audio)?
5) What other factors should I be aware of (that I am currently not) if I move forward with the S6000 and FX300. I will have limited funds once camera (batteries, 60Mbps 32X cards, matte box, support, plate and etc.) have been purchased, (I already have LED lighting systems, quality audio equipment and various camera supports).


Keep in mind. One format will be MPEG-2-.MXF and the other AVCHD. Luckily, we can import these into ONE project. But...the DSR-300 is 4:3 and DV which will result in a big headache for you. You can purchase two XF-100's which will be easier to sell for the price of the XF-300. I would still suggest looking at the new Panasonic model. Looks great, cheaper than the XF-300. A little above the XF-100 and a 22X lens is included with the Panasonic. I like the lowlight capability better than my XF-100 and my XF-300-sold both and never regretted it.

I have received a lot of quality suggestions in this forum. I read and learn here often, cause I am not a know it all and always manage to forget something. I might be putting more on my plate than I can eat, in these horrible economic times, gotta move slowly. Thanks to all and any who respond.

stone patterson @ http://www.hauntedmovie.com

[stonepatterson]

Thanks Lou,

You know so much more than I. I have learned loads from reading your comments here.

Lots of shimmering. Keep the detail down to -7.

1) I do not have an XF300 yet, (been using 4 DVcam cameras/format for the past 12 years) what does 'shimmering' mean and keeping the detail down -7 mean ? Have not bought the S6000 yet, may purchase in Jan. 2012.

2) Is there any other software that I need to be aware of that will need modification with working @ 30P on the S6000 ?

3) Recommendations on a USB slot reader ?

4) I apologize, I didn't explain myself well. The DVcam footage will be for 'audio' use only with the 1080 footage and the 4:3 standard def image from DVcam for archiving the production history (as an extra). Do I need to purchase any additional software for the S6000, to mix AVCHD (from the D7) and MPEG 2 MXF (XF300) format footage?

For the production(s), it is important to get highest quality, sharpest image possible from footage in the final edited versions. Can soften, give film look, etc. in post as is necessary.

Any other recommendations or suggestions? Thank you again.

stone patterson @ http://www.hauntedmovie.com