CML/CMIR Tests overview · 2019. 1. 16. · Digital Bolex, Canon C500, Sony F65, Panasonic Varicam...
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CML/CMIR CAMERA AND LENS TESTS REPORT FOR FACULTY OF ACE, UWE FLAXTON & SPARKE {PAGE } CML/CMIR Tests overview Internal report for UWE, Dec 2016 Dr Sarah Sparke, Professor Terry Flaxton, RWA, FRSA This is a brief report for Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education (ACE) at University of the West of England, concerning a set of industry-facing CML/CMIR camera and lens tests run between 2014-2016 by Professor Terry Flaxton (Director CMIR, ACE, UWE), Dr Sarah Sparke (CMIR, ACE, UWE) and Visiting Professor Geoff Boyle (Cinematographers Mailing List, CML, UWE ACE). At this point in time there have been four collaborative tests between CML and CMIR. Three of these were camera tests. This report is a comment on the overall thrust engendered in the CML/CMIR collaboration – but in this instance is specifically oriented towards the fourth of these tests that was for lenses. The report speaks about the overall conception of the tests through the specific of an examination of lenses. These collaborations were initially intended to promote the idea of Immersive Learning Environments (ILE). Immersive Learning Environments were defined by focused events that asked all levels of one specific discipline (from student to professor and trainee to professional) to join together in research. By late 2014 this later developed into Advanced Innovation Laboratories (AIE) which assembled people from different disciplines – and this eventually included the generalist (in the form of the audience itself, when being taught to see depth in an HDR lab at the Arnolfini in 2014). The tests carried on and eventually the lens tests which this report speaks about occurred. “I can testify to any student who is willing to be proactive and get stuck in, that these events will allow their knowledge of cinematography and the way the industry works to increase more than it ever would have if they were to simply use the facilities available to them within the course.” (Source: Jack Hayter, UWE alumnus and trainee Cinematographer. See p.7) What & Why: The CML/CMIR tests were a response to industry practitioners’ growing need for comparable information about key professional camera equipment in the face of the rapid developments in digital capture technologies. The tests are designed to provide neutral, reproducible data (primarily images) on some of the new cameras being launched, alongside data for some of the established industry favourites. The test results are used by practitioners to help in their selection of the right tool for the job. The tests have been an integral part of CMIR activity since its inception in 2013. They produce significant information for the industry (and those about to join it), important profile-raising for CMIR, UWE, and are extraordinary learning opportunities for UWE students. The tests would not have been possible without the close professional relationship between Geoff Boyle, the Production work of Sarah Sparke and CMIR Director Prof Terry Flaxton. Geoff Boyle is a cinematographer, highly respected technical commentator and founder of the industry forum Cinematographers Mailing List. He joined forces with CMIR in 2013 as a Visiting Professor. The key collaborative areas of research we have engaged in are the HDR (high dynamic range) labs & talks 2014, CineFest: Bristol International Festival of Cinematography 2015 and 2016, and the camera and lens tests 2014 - 2016. This report focuses on the tests carried out to date.
Transcript of CML/CMIR Tests overview · 2019. 1. 16. · Digital Bolex, Canon C500, Sony F65, Panasonic Varicam...
CML/CMIRCAMERAANDLENSTESTSREPORTFORFACULTYOFACE,UWEFLAXTON&SPARKE
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CML/CMIRTestsoverview
InternalreportforUWE,Dec2016
DrSarahSparke,ProfessorTerryFlaxton,RWA,FRSAThisisabriefreportforFacultyofArts,CreativeIndustriesandEducation(ACE)atUniversityoftheWestofEngland,concerningasetofindustry-facingCML/CMIRcameraandlenstestsrunbetween2014-2016byProfessorTerryFlaxton(DirectorCMIR,ACE,UWE),DrSarahSparke(CMIR,ACE,UWE)andVisitingProfessorGeoffBoyle(CinematographersMailingList,CML,UWEACE).AtthispointintimetherehavebeenfourcollaborativetestsbetweenCMLandCMIR.Threeofthesewerecameratests.ThisreportisacommentontheoverallthrustengenderedintheCML/CMIRcollaboration–butinthisinstanceisspecificallyorientedtowardsthefourthoftheseteststhatwasforlenses.Thereportspeaksabouttheoverallconceptionoftheteststhroughthespecificofanexaminationoflenses.ThesecollaborationswereinitiallyintendedtopromotetheideaofImmersiveLearningEnvironments(ILE).ImmersiveLearningEnvironmentsweredefinedbyfocusedeventsthataskedalllevelsofonespecificdiscipline(fromstudenttoprofessorandtraineetoprofessional)tojointogetherinresearch.Bylate2014thislaterdevelopedintoAdvancedInnovationLaboratories(AIE)whichassembledpeoplefromdifferentdisciplines–andthiseventuallyincludedthegeneralist(intheformoftheaudienceitself,whenbeingtaughttoseedepthinanHDRlabattheArnolfiniin2014).Thetestscarriedonandeventuallythelenstestswhichthisreportspeaksaboutoccurred.
“Icantestifytoanystudentwhoiswillingtobeproactiveandgetstuckin,thattheseevents
willallowtheirknowledgeofcinematographyandthewaytheindustryworkstoincreasemorethaniteverwouldhaveiftheyweretosimplyusethefacilitiesavailabletothemwithin
thecourse.”(Source:JackHayter,UWEalumnusandtraineeCinematographer.Seep.7)
What&Why:TheCML/CMIRtestswerearesponsetoindustrypractitioners’growingneedforcomparableinformationaboutkeyprofessionalcameraequipmentinthefaceoftherapiddevelopmentsindigitalcapturetechnologies.Thetestsaredesignedtoprovideneutral,reproducibledata(primarilyimages)onsomeofthenewcamerasbeinglaunched,alongsidedataforsomeoftheestablishedindustryfavourites.Thetestresultsareusedbypractitionerstohelpintheirselectionoftherighttoolforthejob.ThetestshavebeenanintegralpartofCMIRactivitysinceitsinceptionin2013.Theyproducesignificantinformationfortheindustry(andthoseabouttojoinit),importantprofile-raisingforCMIR,UWE,andareextraordinarylearningopportunitiesforUWEstudents.ThetestswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthecloseprofessionalrelationshipbetweenGeoffBoyle,theProductionworkofSarahSparkeandCMIRDirectorProfTerryFlaxton.GeoffBoyleisacinematographer,highlyrespectedtechnicalcommentatorandfounderoftheindustryforumCinematographersMailingList.HejoinedforceswithCMIRin2013asaVisitingProfessor.ThekeycollaborativeareasofresearchwehaveengagedinaretheHDR(highdynamicrange)labs&talks2014,CineFest:BristolInternationalFestivalofCinematography2015and2016,andthecameraandlenstests2014-2016.Thisreportfocusesonthetestscarriedouttodate.
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Where:EachofthetestshasbeencarriedoutontheUWEBowerAshtoncampus,atweekends,acrossbothdays,withset-upontheFridayafternoon/eveningwherepossible.Theitemstobetested,plusotherrequisitessuchasappropriatecamerasforthelenstests&specificlighting,aredeliveredbycouriersasclosetotheFridayaspossible,andreturnedimmediatelyafterthetests.
How:Aswiththetestsrunby“Which?”ondomesticappliances,theCML/CMIRtestsaredesignedtoreplicatereal-lifeusage&testagainstreal-lifecriteria,providinganalternativetothemanufacturers’lab-testtechstatements.Forexample,asGeoffstatesbelow:
*“Thescenebrightnessrangeis7stops,sotakingthat7andaddingtheplusandminusvalueswillgiveustheusablefilmingrange.ThisisverydifferenttothevaluesproducedbyaXylachartwhichasfarasIamconcernedisonlygoodformanufacturersPRblurbsandhasnouseinrealfilmingsituations.”(addedemphasis)
(Source:GeoffBoyle,writingintheJanuary2015testresultspageoftheCMLsite,{ HYPERLINK "http://www.cinematography.net/cml-uwe-2015.html" },accessed20thOct2015)
FortheCML/CMIRtestsweusemodels,particularprops,specially-commissioned(aswellasthestandard)testcharts,tracking,roboticsandspecificlightingincontrolledenvironmentsinordertotestthecamerasandlensesinwayscinematographerswanttoseethemtested.
Bywhom:DirecotrofCMIR,ProfessorTerryFlaxton(CMIR,UWE)Director:VisitingprofessorGeoffBoyle(CML),Producer:DrSarahSparke(CMIR,UWE),Techmanager:DaveNeal(MediaCentre,UWE).Others:professionals,students,staff.Seebelowforcasestudy.Flaxton,SparkeandBoylehaveaparticularlyusefulblendofscientific/technicalknowledge,andknowledgeoftheaestheticandpracticalneedsofpractitioners,whichisnecessarytodesignmeaningfultests.Theyalsohavetheproduction/administrativeskillsand-importantly–thecontactstocollatetheprofessionalequipmentrequired1,spaceandpeopleneededfortheteststohappen,andtheinterestinfacilitatingdeepKEbetweenindustryandstudents.
TESTSCAMERASInFeb2014wetested9cameras:ARRIAlexa,CanonC500,KineRAWS35,REDDragon,SinaCAMRAW,SonyFS700,F5andF55,andtheVisionResearchFlex4k(positionedasahigh-speedcamera). InJanuary2015wetested9cameras:ARRIAmira&Alexa,BlackmagicPocket,BlackmagicUrsa,DigitalBolex,CanonC500,SonyF65,PanasonicVaricamPLandHS,REDDragonLowLightand
1Thiscannotbeoverstated–theequipmenttestedisexpensive,insomecasesrare–forexamplewetestedprototypesbeforerelease,andold,lusted-afterlensesaswellasthecurrentreleases.Tohavelocatedandpersuadedownerstolendthiskit,andatno/lowcost,isasubstantialcoup.Otherexternally-sourcedkitisalsorequiredtorunthetestsegforthelenstestsweneededtwoappropriatecameras,track,motor,specificlights,stands,charts,etc.UWEkitisusedwherepossible,butthistendstobeonlyfortheperipherals.
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Skin(iewithDSMC®LowLightOptimizedOLPF(opticallow-passfilter),andDSMCSkinTone-HighlightOLPF). Oct2015wetestedasetof‘affordable’–iesub-$20k-cameras,alongsidesomemoreexpensivecamerasforcomparison:thenewly-released(Sept2015)CanonC300II,ARRIAmira,SonyPMW-F55withfirmwareupdateofPMW-F55V6.01,,JVC4k(GY-LS300CHE),Kinefinity’sKineMAX6k(releasedsummer2014),DigitalBolex,IO’scompact4kSDIKITUK-PL,aclassicPro8Super8(asmallhandheldfilmcamera),theAJACIONwithnewfirmware,andaPanasonic4k,theAG-DVX200. Forthenexttest(Jan2016)wehadinitiallyexpectedtobelookingatthehigherendofthecameramarket.However,wehadtheopportunitytorunanextraordinarylenstest:
LENSES InJanuary2016werananextraordinarylenstestcoveringbetween£2-3moflenses,rangingfrom
classiclensesthatareconsideredprice-less,(lenseswhicharetreatedaffectionatelyas‘heroes’byprofessional/knowledgeablecinematographers),tonewlyreleased‘affordable’lenses.Thistestrequiredtwolocations(onedarkandonelightcontrolledtestenvironment),twoteams,two
cameras/set-ups,andfastaccurateworktogetalllensestestedinbothlocations,inthetimeavailable.
Forthoseunfamiliarwithlenses,thisisalisttosendtinglesdownthespine:itcontainslenseswhicharehighlyrespectedbyanycinematographer/cameraoperatorworkinginaprofessionalcapacityin
thefieldsoftelevisionandfilm,includingblockbusterHollywoodfeaturefilm.Thelensesweregreetedwithawebythetestcrews,andhandling-rightswereonlygrantedto4keypeople.
EFMounts:
CanonCN35mm,85mm,15-47mm,30-105mm,17-120mm
RokinonCine35mm,85mm
ZeissOtus85mm,
ZeissMilvus21mm,85mm
ZeissCP.218mm,35mm,85mm
ZeissCZ.215-30mm
PanavisionPrimo17mm,35mm,75mm
SchneiderXenon35mm,75m
PLMounts
CookeS418mm,35mm,75mm,15-40mm
Cooke5i18mm,35mm,75mm
CML/CMIRCAMERAANDLENSTESTSREPORTFORFACULTYOFACE,UWEFLAXTON&SPARKE
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CookeTLS18mm,32mm,75mm
CookeAna35mm,75mm
LeicaSummilux18mm,35mm,75mm
LeicaSummicron18mm,35mm,75mm
IlluminaCoated18mm,35mm,85mm
IlluminaUn-coated18mm,35mm,75mm
SchneiderXenar18mm,35mm,75mm
FujinonHK14.5-45mm
FujinonZK14-35mm,19-90mm
ArriAlura15.5-45mm,30-80mm
AngenieuxOptimo15-40mm,28-76mm
VantageHawkVlite35mm,80mm
VantageHawkFlare35mm,80mm
VantageHawk1.324mm,55mm
CML/CMIRCAMERAANDLENSTESTSREPORTFORFACULTYOFACE,UWEFLAXTON&SPARKE
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Casestudy:Jan2015CML/CMIRCameratestsPEOPLETheCML/CMIRtestsbringtogethermanypeoplefromindustryandacademia,creatinganimmersivelearningopportunityforbothstudentsandprofessionals.
Figure{SEQFigure\*ARABIC}:SomeoftheJan2015CML/CMIRcameratestcrew,DrSaraSparkecrouchingdownatfront,GeoffBoyle,tall,toimmediateleftofwhitehairedmodel
Theseincludekeypersonnelwhomakethetestshappen:ProfessorTerryFlaxton,DirectorCMIR),GeoffBoylefromCML(testDirector),DrSarahSparkeatCMIR,UWE(testProducer),DaveNealatUWEMediaCentreand–essentially–thecameramanufacturersandkitsupplierssuchas24-7Drama(VisualImpact),VMI,Films@59andLCA.
Aswellasthiscoregroup,therearealwaysothersinvolved,interestedinthecamerasandinthetestsasamuchdeeperKEopportunity.ForexamplefortheJan2015over30peoplewereinvolvedinthetests.TheseincludedprofessionalcameramenGreggSmith,DannyGagattandMariYamamura,andDITJoshCallis-Smith.Inaddition,forthistestwehadanAJAengineer/designerwhocamewiththeir‘hotoffthepress’camerafromCalifornia,andanotherfromPanasonicwhocamewithaprototypecamerafromJapan,accompaniedbytheirEuropeanMarketingManager.
Becausesomeoftheequipmentthatwassenttoustotestwassonewandexclusivewehadtosignnon-disclosurecontractstoagreetonotsharedetailsoftheequipmentwithexternalsources.ThefactthatthesemanufacturerswantedtheirequipmenttobeincludedinthesetestsdemonstrateshowhighlyregardedtheCML/CMIRtestsareheldbytheprofessionalfilmmakingequipmentindustry.
Otherprofessionalsalsoattended,drawnbytheideaofthisopportunitytoseeanddiscussthecamerasandthetests.TheseincludedUWEstaff,AssistantCameraoperators,CameraOperatorsandafamousDirectorofPhotography.
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BENEFITTOUWESTUDENTS
Fortheundergraduateandpostgraduatestudentstheattendanceofalloftheseprofessionalsreinforcedtheimportanceofthetests,andtheopportunitytoobservetheprofessionalsdemonstratingwhatwascapableoftheequipmentisaneducationnotmatchedinanyotherclassroomcontext.Thiscloseproximitytoworld-classprofessionalsandequipmentisasuperbopportunityforthemtolearnmoreaboutcameras,lensesandprofessionalbehavioursandconcerns,whichisvitallyimportantexperienceseldommatchedinanyotherarena.
Thestudentswereabletoseewhattheprofessionalsweredoingwithandsayingaboutthevariouscameras,andtoobservehowtheyinteractedwitheachother.Thisculturalaspectofprofessionalbehavioursisanimportantelementoftheimmersivelearningenvironment.Involvementinthetestsenrichesthestudents’technicalknowledge,enhancingtheirabilitytounderstandandcritiqueothertechnicalinformation.
Duetotheneedforaprofessional,accurate,speedyworkflow,andforissuesofconfidentiality,studentsareaskedtoapplytoparticipate,andareselectedthrougharigorousprocess.Studentswhoareselectedandengagewiththetestsgainahugeamountnotjustintheknowledgeacquired,butalsodemonstrateandreportthatthetestsprovideahugeboosttotheirenthusiasm,confidence,energytolearn,andworkopportunities.Toillustratethis,hereissomeofthefeedbackfromtwostudents:SergejsBozoks,andJackHayter.
EXAMPLESOFSTUDENTFEEDBACK:
Figure{SEQFigure\*ARABIC}:JackHayteroncamerawithGregSmith.SergejsBozoksmodelling.CML/CMIRlenstestJanuary2016(daylightset-up)
FortheOct2015cameratestsweasked3rdyearBAFilmmakingandCreativeImagingstudentSergejsBozokstoworkasanAC.ThisimportantinvitationwasbasedonourknowledgeofSergejsfrompreviousworkexperienceopportunities:hehadattendedearlierCML/CMIRtestsandworkshops,hadcrewedforBIFC,andineachhadprovedhimselfuseful,andkeen.
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FollowingtheOcttests,Sergejssaid:
“Afterlastyear’sCMLtestsIrealisedhowlittleIknewaboutcameracapabilities.Between
thenandnowIdidmyhomeworkandthistimeassistingGeoffBoyleasanAssistantCameraOperator,IknewwhatI’mlookingatandwhatIshouldbelookingfor.ThistimeIwasabletodiscusscameras,theiradvantagesanddisadvantagesandcomparingthemon
thespotonetoanotherwithGeoffandhearhis“unedited"opinion.Thatisaone-of-a-kindopportunity.
NowIhavehadachancetohaveacloserlookatindustrystandardcameras.Ihadachancetogothroughmenusandsetthemup.IfIhadtohavetooperateoneofthemtomorrowat
leastnowIknowthebasicsaboutthem.”
(Source:personalemailfromSergejstoSarahSparke,highlightedemphasisbySergejs.Permissionforusegiven.)
RecentUWEgraduateJackHayter,FeedbackonbeinginvolvedintheCML/CMIRtests:
“DuringmytimeontheFilmmakingcourseatUWEIwasabletousetheeventsorganisedby
theCMIRandCMLtodevelopmyprofessionalprofilebeforemygraduation.Inearly2014IobservedtheCMLcamerateststhattookplaceatBowerAshton,allowingmetomeetcinematographerandvisitingprofessorGeoffBoyle.Afterdemonstratingakeeninterestin
thecameradepartmentIwasofferedthreeweeksofworkexperienceonafeaturefilmthatGeoffBoylewasshootinglaterthatyear.Iwastrainedasacameraassistantduringtheshootandlearnedthewaysinwhichaprofessionalsetworks,askillthathelpedmegreatly
duringmyfinalfilms.
InmyfinalyearonthecourseIwasabletousemyrelationshipwithGeoffBoyleandtheCMIRtogetinvolvedwithmoreopportunities,includingthe2015CMLcameratestswhereI
wasgiventheopportunitytomakeashortdocumentaryoftheeventfortheCMLandCMIRwebsite.IalsoattendedGeoff’s‘lightingfaces’workshopaftermyfinalhandin.Iusedmyskillsata2ndACtohelpGeoffconstructhislightingset-upsduringtheworkshop.Thisgave
mehands-onexperiencethatwasmuchmorevaluablethansittinginachairatthebackoftheroom.
Aftermygraduationin2015IworkedwiththeCMIRattheBristolInternationalFestivalofCinematographytohelpprepareforthefestivalandkeepitrunningsmoothlyduringthe
week.IhadalreadybuiltupagoodworkingrelationshipwithTerryFlaxtonandSarahSparkefrommypreviousexperiencewiththeCMIRandsoIwasabletotakeonafairamountofresponsibilityinmyrole.Icreatedthedesignsforthefestivalflierandcreatedastingvideo
tobeprojectedbeforeeachpanelevent.Themostvaluableaspectofthefestivalwasbeingabletoworkasa2ndACduringthelightingmasterclasses.IwasabletowatchleadingcinematographersRobertoSchaeferASCandNicKnowlandBSCworkfromanon-setposition
andcannowshowthatexperienceonmyCV.
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TheeventsthatCMIRandCMLcarryoutatUWEarelikeawindowintothefilmindustryfor
aspiringstudents,givingthemtheopportunitytobepresentandaskquestionsamongst
working,industryprofessionals.Icantestifytoanystudentwhoiswillingtobeproactiveandgetstuckin,thattheseeventswillallowtheirknowledgeofcinematographyandthewaytheindustryworkstoincreasemorethaniteverwouldhaveiftheyweretosimplyusethefacilitiesavailabletothemwithinthecourse.”
(Source:personalemailtoSarahSparke.EmphasisandhighlightingbyJack.Permissionforusegiven).
NOTE:Followingthisemail,JackwasinvitedtobeanAssistantCameraonthe2016lenstests,ahugeresponsibilitywhichhetookonwithenthusiasm,accuracyandprofessionalism.(Seephotoonpage6.)
TESTRESULTSOUTPUTS:ThetestresultswerepresentedinitiallyontheCMLwebsite,foranindustry(manufacturersandusers)audience.TheresultsandcommentaryarealsopresentedinpersonbyGeoffBoyle,asaninvitedspeakeratkeyindustryeventssuchasatNAB(amajorindustrytradeshowbyNationalAssociationofBroadcasters)inLasVegas.ThetestresultstriggerdebateandKnowledgeExchangewithintheindustry–someofitismap-ablee.g.withintheCMLforums,anddemonstrablyinfluential,e.g.changestoproductdesignasadirectresponsetothetestresults,asintheAJACion(oneofthecamerastested).Theotherkeyoutputsarethenewknowledgegainedandexchangedamongstthoseattendingthetests.Someofthisistechnical,andsome(equallyimportant,asstatedearlier)isdevelopmentofculturalcapitalspecifictothefield.
CONCLUSION:TheCML/CMIRcameraandlenstestsareasuperbexampleofacademic/industryresearchcollaboration,buildingonthestrengthsofeachtocreateaKnowledgeExchangeenvironmentwhichproducesindustry-leadingdata.Weareveryproudtobepartofthisworld-firstprogrammeoftests,throughwhichwehavehadthechancetohandleveryspecialequipment,andtheopportunitytoworkwithpeople(practitionersandengineers)atthetopoftheirgame.ThetestshavebeenanopeningthroughwhichIhavebeenabletogiveUWEstudentsanextraordinaryopportunity,and–importantly-toraiseCMIRandUWE’sprofileinthemovingimageindustryandbeyond.DrSarahSparke(ProducerCMIR,ACE,UWE)ProfessorTerryFlaxton(DirectorCMIR,ACE,UWE)Reproductionofanypartofthisdocumentonlywithpermissionoftheauthors.Contactdetails:From1stJan2017:[email protected]:[email protected]
