PANAVISION HD900F User manual

DIGITALCINEMATOGRAPHY
CAMERASYSTEM
HD900FOPERATIONMANUAL
ULTRAPRECISIONEQUIPMENTFORTHEMOTION PICTUREINDUSTRY

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HD900FOPERATIONMANUAL
COPYRIGHT2002
VERSION2.1.2
4/2002
EricErb
Andrew Young
EricErb
Andrew Young
writtenby
design,photos,andlayout
photographswereshotusingtheKodakPreview System withPrimolenses

HD900F
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INTRODUCTION
In 1997,Panavision and Sony announced their
collaboration on the developmentofa 24P digitalhigh
definition camera suitable foruse by filmmakersto
create big screen motion picture image quality. We
knew,from 45 yearsofexperience,thata complete
imaging system approach was the only way for
traditionalfilm crewstomakeaseamlesstransitioninto
digitalproduction.Withthisinmind,wemadeanumber
ofmodificationstotheSonyHDW-F90024Pcamera.For
starters,the Panavised camera received a heavy duty
frontplate and lensmountmodified to work with our
speciallydesignedPrimoDigital
TM lenses.Thesystem now
accommodates mostofourstandard film camera
accessories as wellas new accessories designed
exclusivelyfordigitalcinematography.
In addition to the mechanicalmodificationsto the
camera,auniqueopticalpre-filtergivesyoubettercolor
matching with film emulsionsand enhanced resolution
forblue screen effectscinematography. Last,butnot
least,wedesignedthenew ULTRAVIEWviewfinderfor
studio and handheld cine-style use. Itpresentsa 2
timeslargerimagealongwithagreaterdiopterrange.
Panavision iscommitted to continuously developing our
DigitalImaging system in close collaboration with our
clients,justaswehavedonewithourfilm systemsover
thelast45years. Now yourHD projectwillbenefitfrom
the same dedication to customerservice and superior
imagequalitythatisthehallmarkofPanavision.
INTRODUCTION

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TABLEOFCONTENTS
SECTION 1.0 GENERALSPECIFICATIONS
1.1 CAMERASPECIFICATIONS
1.2 CONNECTORSPECIFICATIONS
1.3 FRAMERATESANDSHUTTERSPEEDS
1.4 CAMERAWEIGHTS
1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS
1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS
1.7 FRONTAND REARCAMERAVIEWS
1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE
1.9 GENERALIMAGING CONSIDERATIONS
SECTION 2.0 PACKING AND SHIPPING
2.1 CAMERABODYCASE
2.2 ACCESSORYCASE
SECTION 3.0 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSES
3.1 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSDESIGN
3.2 FILM /HDCOMPARATIVERESOLUTION
3.3 ASPHERICALAND FISHEYEATTACHMENTS
3.4 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSEXTENDERS
3.5 SETTING BACKFOCUS
SECTION 4.0 CAMERA ASSEMBLY
4.1 FRONTFACEPLATEANDFOLLOW FOCUS
4.2 VIEWFINDER
4.3 ON-BOARD MONITORAND BRACKET
4.4 LENSLIGHT
4.5 VOLTAGEUPCONVERTER
4.6 CARRYHANDLE
4.7 SIDEPANELCONNECTORS
4.8 MIRANDADOWNCONVERTER
4.9 REARPANELCONNECTORS
4.10 HD SDIADAPTER
4.11 ON-BOARD BATTERY
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HD900F
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
SECTION 5.0 CAMERA OPERATION
5.1 HDCAM CASSETTE
5.2 VTRCONTROLS
5.3 VIEWFINDERCONTROLS
5.4 REMOTECONTROL
5.5 FILTERWHEELS
5.6 MEMORYSTICK
5.7 TIMECODE
5.7.1 TIMECODESWITCHESANDBUTTONS
5.7.2 USING TIMECODE
5.8 MAINCAMERASWITCHES
5.9 MENUS
5.9.1 OPERATIONMENU
5.9.2 PAINTMENU
5.9.3 SETTING THEFRAMERATE
5.10 VIEWFINDERFRAMELINEMARKINGS
5.10.1 TV16X9TRANS&4X3TRANS/SAFE
5.10.2 TV16X9TRANS&1.85THEATRICAL
5.10.3 TV16X9TRANS&2.40THEATRICAL
5.11 PREPROUTINE
5.12 A.C.PRE-ROLLCHECKLIST
5.13 PRODUCTIONCONSIDERATIONS
5.14 TROUBLESHOOTING
5.15 SMARTLENS
5.16 METADATA
SECTION 6.0 MONITORS
6.1 MONITORS
6.2 9"HDSDIMONITOR
6.3 14"HDSDIMONITOR
6.4 24"HDSDIMONITOR
6.4.1 24"MONITORCALIBRATION
6.4.2 24"MONITORFRAMELINESETTINGS
6.5 HD SDIWAVEFORM MONITOR
SECTION 7.0 INDEX
TABLEOFCONTENTS

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1.0 GENERALSPECIFICATIONS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS
1.0

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1.1 CAMERASPECIFICATIONS
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Imager RGB 2/3"CCDs
EffectivePixels 1920(H)x1080(V)each
2.1millionpixelseach,foratotalof6.3
.378"x.212"
Power 12vDC (range11-17v)
Built-inFilters
ND Filters CCFilters
1: Clear B: 3200K
2: .6-(2Stops) C: 4300K
3: 1.2-(4Stops) D: 6300K
4: 1.8-(6Stops)
LensMount PanavisionHD Mount(proprietary)
Baseplate PanavisionDovetailwith5/8"rods
Steadicam®Plates Bottom DovetailPlateforRegularMode
TopHandlePlateforLow Mode
Sensitivity Minimum ISO 320tungsten
CassetteTape HDCAM:BCT-22HD,BCT-32HD,orBCT-40HD
RunningTimes 22min.@ 30fps or 27.5min.@ 24fps
32min.@ 30fps or 40.0min@ 24fps
40min.@ 30fps or 50.0min.@ 24fps
AudioQuality 20bit,48kHzDigital(upto4channels)
PresetStorage SonyMemoryStick
Eyepiece PanavisionUltraview
®-2modes:Extension
andIntermediate/Hand-held
SMARTLENS™ Highresolutiondigitalencoderstorecord
Compatibility T-stop,focus,andzoom positions
Recordableupto16channelsonto
Audiochannels3and4onHD SDIadapter

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1.2 CONNECTORSPECIFICATIONS
DCIn XLR,4pinmale 11-17v
Pin1–ground(-)
Pin4–positive(+)
DCout Hirose,12VDC,4pin (2Amax)
REM Lemo,10pin1B
Pin1-VTRStart/Stop
Pin6-Ground
VTR,shutter,menucontrols(HDRP)
AudioIn 2Channels–XLR,3pinfemale
Pin1–Ground
2–Input(hi)
3–Input(low)
2additionalchannelswithHDSDIadapter
(HDCAA)
MicIn 1Channel–XLR,3pinfemale(+48v)
Pin1–Ground
2–Input(hi)
3–Input(low)
AudioOut 2Channelon1–XLR,5pinmale(E-E)
Pin1–AnalogGround
2–Ch.1Audio
3–Ch.1Ground
4–Ch.2Audio
5–Ch.2Ground
2additionalchannelswithHDSDIadapter
(HDCAA)
GenlockIn BNC
GenlockOut BNC(usinganalogYchannel)
TimecodeIn BNC
TimecodeOut BNC
VideoOut Y,Pb,PrAnalog
HD SDI(withHDCAadapter)
RemoteControl Hirose(special)–8pin
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.1/2 GENERAL&CONNECTORSPECS

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1.3 FRAMERATESAND SHUTTERSPEEDS
FrameRates(MAINTENANCEMENUpage:M7)
Progressive Interlace
23.98PsF 50i
24PsF 59.94i
25PsF 60i
29.97PsF
30PsF
ShutterAngles(PAINT MENU page:P12 orwith the Remote
Control)
SHUTTERSPEED EQUIV.SHUTTERANGLE
ShutterOFF= 1/24sec 360.00degree
1/32 270.00
1/48 180.00
1/96 90.00
1/125 69.12
1/250 34.56
1/500 17.28
1/1000 8.64
ECS- ExtendedClearScan 24Hz-2200Hz@ 24fps
Usedtosetintermediateshutterspeedsand/orshoot
practicalmonitors.
Theequivalentshutterangle,forafilm camera,isfoundbythe
followingformula: 360*fps/Hz= shutterangle.
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HD900F
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Body(withoutSDI) HD900F 14.9lbs.
Body(WithSDI) HD900F,HDCA 17.2
SDIAdapter HDCA 2.3
ExtensionEyepiece HDET,HDEP 4.8
Intermediate/HHEyepiece HDEP 3.6
Follow Focusw/1Knob HDFB,HDFD,MFF 1.9
HandHeldRig HDHR 2.4
Clip-onMattebox MBPC 1.0
TopSteadicam®Plate HDLM 0.5
Bottom Steadicam®Plate HDSP 1.2
VoltageUpconverterw/cable HDUC 0.9
AntonBauerBattery AB100 5.4
LENSES
PrimoDigital
TM 5mm PrimeLens SD5 3.0
PrimoDigital
TM 7mm PrimeLens SD7 3.2
PrimoDigital
TM 10mm PrimeLens SD10 3.7
PrimoDigital
TM 14mm PrimeLens SD14 2.8
PrimoDigital™ 20mm PrimeLens SD20 3.6
PrimoDigital™ 35mm PrimeLens SD35 2.9
PrimoDigital
TM 6-27mm w/Motor SDZW 8.0
PrimoDigital
TM 25-112mm w/Motor SDZT 7.0
PrimoDigital
TM 9.5-105mm w/Motor SLZ11D 23.0
PrimoDigital
TM 8-72mm w/Motor SDZ9 8.6
1.4XExtenderforPrimoDigital™ Zoom 1.4XSD 0.7
2XExtenderforPrimoDigital™ Zoom 2XSD 0.9
DoubleAsphereAttachmentfor5mm CDA 1.2
WideAngleFisheyeAdapterfor7mm WFA 1.4
HandHeldConfiguration: 29.3
(HandHeldViewfinder,SDI,HDUC,Follow
Focusw/1Knob,HDHR,MBPC,Remote–
NoLens)
1.4CAMERAWEIGHTS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.3/4FRAMERATES&CAMERAWEIGHTS

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1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS

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1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS

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1.7 FRONTAND REARCAMERAVIEWS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.7FRONTAND REARCAMERAVIEWS

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Field2(evenlines
2,4,6,etc.)
Movingimageappearsto
theeyeasablurred,bro-
kenedge
StaticInterlaced
Imageconsistsoftwo
fields
Field1(oddlines
1,3,5,etc.)
60 field to 24 frame
conversionrequiresthe
m ixing of 3 fields
resulting in additional
motionblur

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1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE
The24PHD ElectronicCinematographyCameraSystem
isa PROGRESSIVE capture device unlike oldervideo
camerasthatcapture the image in an INTERLACE
manner.
INTERLACE: A videoscanningsystem wheretheodd
numbered linesarescanned separately
from theevennumberedlines.Theodd
numberedlinesform fieldone,theeven
linesmake up the second field. The
combinationoftwofieldscomprisesone
frame.
PROGRESSIVE: A video system in which alllines
comprising a frame are scanned in
sequenceratherthaninterlaced.
The interlace mode ofcapture hasinherentmotion
artifacts and is difficultto transferto film. The
progressive mode ofshooting capturesthe complete
resolution atonce,atthe same pointin time;and
thereforeallowsaperfectone-to-onetransfertofilm.
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS 1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE

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TheHD900Fhasawiderangeofmenusettingsthatallow theusertocontrolthe
lookofthepicture.Thesesettingscanbeapowerfultooltochangeormodifythe
captured image.Mostcomponentsofthe video signalcan be manipulated.
Levels,saturation,gammaandmatrixwillhaveamajorinfluenceoverthefinal
videooutput,beitforTVorfilm.
Whilethereisnorightorwrongwaytoapproachhow thecameraisused,you
shouldbeawareoftheconsequencesofemployingcertainmenufunctions.We
do notdetermine who willmake adjustmentsorwhen these functionswillbe
employed,butinmostcases,theyaremadeatthebehestoftheDP.Whilethese
featuresmay prove usefulforshowsthatare video outonly (TV),ifmisused,
theycanhaveirreversibleconsequencesonafilm-outshow (feature).Judicious
use ofthesefeaturescan prove beneficial.However,minimum manipulation of
the image thatwillresultin a clean camera masterisdesirable.Itisbetterto
leave the decision to alterthe image forthe lessstressfulenvironmentofthe
postproduction suite. Postproduction toolsofferthe abilityto manipulate the
imagetoamuchhigherdegreethanthecameraallows.Thefollowinglistisnot
inclusiveofeverymenufunction,butprovidesabriefexplanationofwhycertain
precautionsshouldbeheeded.
Detail:Thedetailfunctionwillprovideartificialenhancementtothevideoimage
particularly around the edge ofan object.Thisfeature,like severalothers,is
incorporated into the camera forlive TV broadcastproductions. Historically,
detailcircuitswere used to compensate forlimitationsofopticsorelectronics.
While thisisusefulforTV applications,employing detailfora film output
productionwillputunnaturaledgingaroundthesubject.Inaddition,useofdetail
willmakethequalityofCGIormattesverypoorsincethematteprocesstriesto
avoidanyappearanceofedges.
DCC:DCC isDynamicContrastControlorautoknee.Itisaccessiblethrougha
toggle switch on the camera body.Itisused during newsordocumentary
situationswhere there islittle orno controloflighting and contrastratios.If
there isa brightobjectin the scene thatisover100% white level,DCC will
automaticallypulltheleveldown(compress)sothehighlightwillnot"blow out".
Forascriptedproject,itcanbeseenthatautomaticcorrectionofhighlightscould
addundesirableelementstothesceneasthecameramovesorpansthroughout
the scene.While controlofthe highlightsisnecessary,itisbestto use the
manualkneeandslopefunctionstoachievethedesiredresult.
Black Gamma:Thiscircuitallowsforstretch orcompression ofthe toe (black)
portion ofthe video signal.Thiscan beused to affectthecontrastin the dark
areasofthe picture while notchanging the mid-tonesorhighlights.Since this
portionofthesignalcontainsthehighestamountofgain,itisclosesttothenoise
floor.Consequently,expandingthesignalwillalsointroducemorenoiseintothe
picture.Thismaynotalwaysbeadesiredadditiontothefinallook.Forafilm-out
project,testingisprudent.
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1.9 GENERALIMAGING CONSIDERATIONS