JVC Everio HD: Footage with DIY DOF Adapter

The following is just a short clip of the JVC Everio (GZ-HD7 model) being used in conjunction with a homemade depth of field adapter. As you can see, there is a shallower depth of field than would typically be expected from three 1/5" chips.

The footage is a pretty rudimentary test, and as you can see, while somewhat filmlike, the footage does also have a bit of a 1970s porn or home-movie feel to it as well. This would actually make this combination of tools quite useful if you are going for either of these looks (your reasons are your own!) with an example being an insert for a film like 8 MM or the opening credits of The Wonder Years.

But for higher-end requirements or the bulk of a narrative piece, this may or may not be to your liking.

Canon XHA1: Panalook Preset

The following video clip is simply a glance at the "Panalook" preset in action. This is one of the many presets that have been developed by devoted users to maximize the performance and color rendition of the Canon XHA1. In this case, it is just a collage of outdoor shots.

One particularly noteworthy (and unrelated) aspect of the video is the creator's use of a rack focus between different titles that are on screen simultaneously (in the opening moments). This was an effective technique that also highlighted the relatively shallow depth of field used in the video.


Canon XH-A1 - Panalook preset from Pathelin on Vimeo.

20,000 Visitors in the Last 6 Months

Just a quick note to observe that today marked the 20,000th visitor to Jack Cabbage over the last six months. I just wanted to make a short posting, given the occasion, for the visitors who stop by regularly to see what's happening in the JC world of independent film and video.

I've received a good deal of feedback from visitors over the last while and always appreciate the positive responses and hope that I've been able to be of assistance on the occasions where readers have asked for advice and pointers.

All in all, producing JC has been a rewarding experience and I'm glad that there are people out there pursuing their goals, with respect to filmmaking and videography, that have been able to find this humble resource useful in their continued endeavors.

Thanks for visiting and making JC one of the stops on your tour of the filmmaking interweb.

Nikon D90: "Elecric" featuring Melanie Jade

The following clip is one of the best examples I have seen of effective filmmaking with the Nikon D90's video capabilities. In this instance, a PROJECT SUNDAY music video was put together featuring Melanie Jade.

In this instance, there was extensive post-production and image correction work done on the footage. However, the final result is indeed more than one might think possible at first glance from what is essentially a beefed-up still camera.


Project Sunday feat Melanie Jade "Electric". from kenny azeez on Vimeo.

HVX: "Corrado" Teaser Footage

The making of "Corrado" is a project we have been following, particularly since a first-time feature producer began to document his plans and experience as he went in this FORUM THREAD at DVXuser. The thread makes for great reading, as the process is described in which talent such as Tom Sizemore and Frank Stallone were secured, as well as much of the experience from script to screen.

The cameras have been rolling and some teaser footage from "Corrado" is now available below. It is particularly relevant to our purposes as the project was compiled with a Panasonic HVX + depth of field adapter combination.

Enjoy the footage...


Corrado Trailer from Rob Verrilli on Vimeo.

Nikon D90: Pulling Focus (Video)

When it first appeared on the market, the Nikon D-90 DSLR camera made a lot of waves because it not only provided the capacity to take excellent still photographs -- but also added the ability to record 720p video, at a true 24p frame rate.

Naturally, there is the ability to change lenses as with most still cameras. But the ability to change lenses in conjunction with the D-90's chip allow the potential to record video with a much shallower depth of field than would normally occur with more expensive prosumer video cameras such as the Canon XHA1 or Panasonic HVX with their three 1/3" CCD chips.

As an example for your reference, I have collected a few videos taken by D-90 users, with an emphasis on the camera's ability to pull focus (providing a shallow depth of field) while in video mode. Ths shallow depth of field is typically only achievable with prosumer video cameras when a depth of field adapter is employed (with its resulting light loss).


D90 from Drew Ott on Vimeo.


Testen Nikon D90 from donker:oranje on Vimeo.


Nikon D90 from Laurence Davis on Vimeo.

Canon HV30: Slow Motion Footage

Here at the Jack Cabbage Camera Battles, we have spent a fair bit of time examining the affordable but effective Canon HV30. In the interests of a more complete survey of the camera and its performance, I have collected several clips of the HV30 being used to capture slow-motion footage. This will naturally be a consideration for many filmmakers, and hopefully the following clips will help illustrate the results that are being achieved by current HV30 users.

The following clip shows tap water in slow motion, passing through a wine glass (also acting as a prism for light).


Slow Water HV30 Slow motion from Copenhagen on Vimeo.

The clip below shows people diving (with resulting water splashes) and a strong blue color-correction.


HV30 Slow Motion Cinematography from Brett on Vimeo.

A hummingbird in action...


Slow-motion Hummingbird from Paul Konopacki on Vimeo.

And some talented soccer that would even look cool at normal speed...


slow motion test. Canon HV30 from styleload on Vimeo.