Messages

91

Software Dev / Re: Missing (weak) Green colours

« on: September 22, 2017, 07:09:07 AM »

I've been doing some lighting tests and using a color input target. Here's a frame grab which I've applied some color correction to in post, but it is close to what came out of the camera.



The greens are actually not bad. It's the magenta which seems to be lacking (the colour above the number 14). It could be corrected but would take quite a lot of tweaking.

Also remember that your monitors and output devices should be calibrated if you're going to compare like for like.   
 

92

Software Dev / Re: Initial feedback

« on: September 21, 2017, 07:05:59 AM »

There needs to be a way to accurately adjust exposure while viewing the image.  The scroll bar is too short for accurate control.  Maybe the jog wheel would be a good control.

+1

93

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk lighting

« on: September 21, 2017, 07:03:09 AM »

That sounds pretty good. I've done some tests and even with a Godox 1000 Panel and 6 x 48W LED spots, I'm only at f4.
Here are my results:



Conclusion: Need more lights!

94

Software Dev / Re: Initial feedback

« on: September 19, 2017, 05:10:15 AM »

The one thing I think would be helpful to all user is an exposure histogram.

A BIG +1 for this!

95

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk lighting

« on: September 19, 2017, 05:05:40 AM »

Wonder how these would work out. Sure, they're floodlights, but anything's a spotlight if placed close enough to the subject.

https://www.amazon.com/Morsen-50000LM-Outdoor-Lighting-Daylight/dp/B01MDUTTTQ
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Bright-Floodlight-Waterproof-Spotlights/dp/B01IOW3E5S

They are pretty huge though.

I think you'll get flicker with a lot of those LED floodlights. I have a few different types and they all flicker.

My Godox 1000 arrives tomorrow. I've set up an objective comparison between the lights I have for the Chronos. If all of us could post frame grabs using our lights and the same settings I've used, we could get a better idea of how they compare in use. I've done some already with the LED spots I have.

Here's a (reduced) frame grab using the 1280 x 1024 setting of the scene:



I'm using the Computar 12.5-75 lens with the camera 1.5m from the subject and the lights 1.0m from the subject. I thought a greyscale/colour test card and matt black object such as a lens would make a good subject as most people with cameras of some sort are likely to have these. 

I'm going to take multiple test recordings with various levels of lighting and put all the resulting frame grabs onto one page so it's easy to see what lighting is required at different camera settings. The settings I'm using for each lighting level is:

1: 1280x1024, 1057fps, 476.1us
2: 640x360, 5904fps, 85.21us
3: 640 x 96, 21650fps, 23.14us

0db gain, aperture set just below zebra level or wide open if there's not enough light to require stopping down. WB and  BL set.

96

Software Dev / Suggestion: Screen lock during record

« on: September 18, 2017, 07:13:46 AM »

When using the Chronos hand-held, it's very easy to touch the screen by mistake. Could you add a screen lock function?

97

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk lighting

« on: September 18, 2017, 07:05:31 AM »

I've had a look at the Godox range and ordered one of their LED1000 panels. If it really puts out the equivalent of 1kW, it's good value.

Might need to supplement it with a spot or two though. There are some second hand Arri 650s on Ebay around £150 which might fit the bill, but I'd much rather use LED if possible.

If the Godox 200 gives good results I might get one of those, but >500W output would be better.

98

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk lighting

« on: September 18, 2017, 06:16:35 AM »

I've got 6 of these for close-ups:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GFWWSWE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and 3 x 24V 5 amp power supplies.

I don't think they'll give enough light for a large outdoor area with very high frame rate. I'm interested to see how those Godox lights work out.
What we need is an affordable 1-2kW LED or HMI light. Might investigate the cheaper end of the market i.e. China

99

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Chronos 1.4 Footage Thread

« on: September 09, 2017, 08:27:15 AM »

Mine arrived yesterday. So far, very impressed.

Here's one of my first tests. Two clips of the same .22 pistol firing two different types of ammo.

https://youtu.be/PUb20axTM-8

100

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Full user manual is out

« on: August 16, 2017, 09:29:02 AM »

Mechanical drawings! Yes!  Expect laser cut splash shield designs and dust covers in the next few days.
(Was planing this anyway, but now it makes things trivial.)

I could be interested as well...

101

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk LENSES!

« on: July 25, 2017, 10:55:02 AM »

That's why I thought it might be possible with one designed for MFT in the first place. It's bound to be tight, but 17.5mm seemed enough to me looking at another C mount camera I have here.

It's the engineering of an adapter which is going to be tricky and it would be an expensive mistake if it didn't work.

I do feel the optics of the Metabones reducers are worth the money and could give excellent results if we could get one to fit. I've emailed them to ask if they think it's possible, so let's see if I get a response.

Looking at lens options generally, I'm also looking at Kowa C-mount lenses as there are a few Blackmagic camera owners using them and they have a good reputation for quality. There are plenty of old C-Mount lenses around on ebay but I suspect quite a few of them are not worth bothering with.

102

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk LENSES!

« on: July 25, 2017, 03:54:21 AM »

They do various versions, all for mirrorless cameras such as Leica M/S Sony E, Fuji X.

I reckon the best bet might be the versions they do for MFT or Blackmagic as those are small diameter mounts to begin with. It might be possible for someone to machine a mounting ring which would replace their one and convert directly to C mount.

There are lots of adapters out there for fitting C-mount lenses to MFT cameras, but not the other way around.

103

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk LENSES!

« on: July 24, 2017, 06:08:45 AM »

My experience of fitting wide angle adapters to the front of lenses has never been particularly good. The optical performance is usually not very good and as they are often designed to be 'universal' they take no account of the construction of the lens they're being fitted to.
There are some good ones around but they are quite expensive and I don't think the end result will be as good as if we can find a focal reducer.

I also spent some time over the last few days trying to find a decent reducer to fit the Chronos with no real success. There won't be any demand for such a thing at the moment, but if there was a way to adapt something like a Metabones Speed Booster, I'd go for it.

I think it should be technically possible to adapt a Speed Booster designed to take Nikon G/F mount lenses to fit the Chronos, but the missing link is converting one of their camera-side mounts to C/CS.

104

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Let's talk LENSES!

« on: July 21, 2017, 06:51:21 AM »

A good focal reducer would make a lot of sense for the Chronos. Especially if, like me, you've got some decent 35mm glass and want to use it instead of investing in C mount lenses.

Has anyone tried one yet?