|
It was very important to me that the ENG camera used through out the film by White Light's lead character, Peter McMullen, a seasoned Freelance Cameraman, was not only the camera manufacture of choice used by those in the profession, but was capable of producing exceptionally high quality natural images.
Ikegami's new HL-DV7W 16:9 2/3" IT CCD DVCAM camera
The HL-DV7W has only just been released but as with the many professional Ikegami ENG cameras before it, I am sure that it won't be long before the new HL-DV7W starts to see some heavy action in the ENG field.
I arrived at my decision after tested both the Ikegami HL-DV7W and the Sony DSR-500WSP together, viewing the footage on a top spec. Grade 2 monitor.
To be honest, the picture quality of the Ikegami HL-DV7W stood out straight away. Aesthetically to me, the image was sharper, had more detail and looked more realistic, straight out of the box the RGB were spot on, not biased in anyway.
(A lot of this I put down to the fact that each camera, prior to leaving Ikegami U.K., is individually calibrated and tested. This is definitely one of the benefits of not buying a mass produced camera off a production line, another, is the service, which is personal and second to none.)
I'm more used to handling Arriflex film cameras, but within seconds I was impressed by the build quality. Even though the HL-DV7W only weighs approx. 6.5kg including a lense, the camera really felt like it was built like a tank, very solid and rigid, especially the viewfinder, which is quiet often the first part to snaps off in the field.
I was also amazed at the amount of image control the HL-DV7W gives you, I've included 5 pages from the manuals VTR Menu Selection below, which mean that it's a great camera for independent film makers as well.
White & Black Balance (AWB & AWB), Black Stretch, Black Press, Diagonal DTL, Slim DTL, Skin DTL (suppresses the amount of edge signal in the skin areas without effecting the rest of the image), Soft DTL (reduces signal noise on checkered patterns shirts etc.), DTL Boost (increased detail), Auto Hue Detect (AHD), plus adjustment of the Master Gamma, Gamma Curve, Knee, White Clip, Red White; Green White; Blue White; Red Black; Green Black and Blue Black shading, Master PED, Matrix, and Colour Saturation, to name a few. (Hopefully I'll be able to get a pdf file of the full manual, so you can see for yourself.)
The HL-DV7W also has a few more incredibly neat feature up its sleeve; The ability to calibrate each lense you use and save it as a lense preset (effectively eliminating colour or image quality shift when changing lenses); Being able to preset the external 'Gain Select Switch' to any 3 settings, ranging from -3dB to +48dB; full safety markers for TV, 16:9 and 14:9; Memory cards to save your presets; FireWire/iLink and more.
I've scheduled a 35mm blow up test, using the HL-DV7W and a set of Canon's High Definition Prime lenses, which will hopefully be post processed at The Orphanage using their new Magic Bullet process, first seen at Sundance this year. So keep an eye on the makingmymovie Forum for my detailed report.
HL-DV7W Technical Information
DVCAM - A Seamless Integration of Ikegami's Outstanding Camera Technology and 1/4-inch Digital VTR Format
Natural-looking high-quality video acquired by digital processing LSIs (ASICs) is digitally recorded onto a compact DVCAM tape without loss of image quality. Because the DV7W can capture up to 184 minutes of footage with a single tape (of standard size), it can eliminate time-consuming inconveniences associated with tape swapping during long hours of field production. Additionally, the camera comes standard with a DV (i.LINK) terminal so that it can be readily connected to any DV interface-equipped device.
Features
Personal function and auto hue detection switching
DV output via i-link terminal
Camera Section
The HL-DV7W is equipped with the 16:9 IT CCD image sensor to switch aspect ratios (16:9/4:3).
This version employs 2/3" IT CCDs with 600,000 (PAL) pixels.
Incorporates digital processing LSIs (ASICs). Because all the processing after PreKnee is digitized, with 10-bit analog-to-digital converters, high image quality with consistent stability can achieved at all times.
Comes standard with a DV (i.LINK) terminal. It can be connected to any device equipped with a DV interface.
Sensitivity can be enhanced up to +48dB. Its minimum illumination is as low as 0.12 lx.
Versatile videography can be attained through connection with various control panels, such as RCP-50 and RM-11.
A host of DTL functions available, such as Diagonal DTL and Skin DTL.
Shockless switching speed for AWB memory is selectable from 5 steps and the switching situation is displayed in viewfinder when selecting shockless speed.
Comprehensive memory card functions
Supports DVCAM and MiniDV tape formats
VTR Section
Employs the 1/4-inch digital VTR format (DVCAM).
For PCM digital audio, two models are selectable: 2-channel recording mode and 4-channel recording mode.
Support cassettes of standard size (up to 184 minutes of recording) and mini size (up to 80 minutes of recording).
Specifications
Camera Section
Image Sensor: 2/3" 3 IT CCDs (16:9 type)
Total Number of Pixels: 600,000 pixels
Optical Filters: 3000K, 5600K+1/16ND, 5600K, 5600K+1/64ND
Gain: -3, 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, +18, +30, +36dB, +42dB, +48dB
Lens Mount: B4 bayonet
Shutter: (preset) OFF (PAL: 1/50, NTSC: 1/60), 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec.
Variable Shutter PAL: 1/50.2 - 1/781 sec.
Sampling Frequency: 18.00000MHz
Quantization Bit: 10bit
Video Output: VBS:1.0Vp-p+6dB 75 ohms
Monitor Output VBS or VS: 1.0p-p+6dB 75 ohms
Horizontal Resolution: 800 TV lines at centre
Vertical Resolution: 450 tv lines (Super-V Off) 570 tv lines (Super-V On)
Registration: 0.03% or less (excluding lens aberration)
S/N: 62dB
Smear Level: - 125dB
Sensitivity: f11 at 2000 lx
Minimum Illumination Approx: 0.12 lx (f1.4 lens +48dB)
VTR Section
[Video]
Tape: 1/4" DVCAM metal tape
Bandwidth: Y:25Hz - 5.5MHz+1.0/-2.0dB R-Y/B-Y:25Hz~2.0MHz+1.0/-2.0dB
S/N: 55dB or more
[Audio]
Recording Format: 2ch mode PCM 48kHz 4ch mode PCM 32kHz
Common Section
Power Requirement: DC+12V (+11V to +17V)
DC IN connector: XLR-4 (male)
Power Consumption: Approx. 29W
Ambient temperature Operating temperature: 0ºC to +40ºC
Humidity: 85% or less (without moisture condensation)
External Dimensions: W123.5 X H200 X D326mm
Weight Approx: 4.5kg (including 1.5" VF, Mic)
|
