How I turned a cheap camcorder into a cinema camera

[@Scott.Burchell]

It's been brought to my attention that my explanation about the F stop value changing as the zoom increases is not correct and in actual fact the aperture is F1.8 when it's wide and F3.6 when it's zoomed in (closing as the zoom occurs instead of opening) While it's still true that wider aperture 1.8 would lead to better DOF as a general rule - In this case, the the F stop in relation to the zoom is closing, not opening! I just wanted to leave this comment to correct his error and also share a video that does a much better job of explaining how aperture works on a camera! I apologise for this oversight and hope that despite this error, the rest of the video is of use! In future videos, I will take care to ensure that all the information I provide is correct! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6DNfWqLhrmJnsU

[@martifingers]

There is a slight error about the focal length - that would surely be 4.9 mm at the wide end, not 49?

[@21stcenturyscots]

Does the word really need more short films? Or films in general? I still haven't finished watching all movies from the 1920s 1930s and 1940s I don't know when I will go to the 1950s

[@AnthonyPtak]

Aka depth of focus

[@johnnyvalentineparker]

What is the frame rate for the 4K MP4 setting, it doesn’t say?

[@theBaron001]

if you want to get really technical, focal ratio (f stop) and aperture are two different things. Photographers tend to believe they are synonymous terms, but they mean different things. The aperture is the opening of the lens, and the focal ratio (f number) is the mathematical relationship between focal length and aperture. Say you have a 50mm f/1.8 lens. That means your lens has a 27.78mm wide aperture (focal ratio = focal length divided by aperture). So, what this means when photographers are talking about variable aperture lenses or fixed aperture lenses, they are actually talking about fixed or variable FOCAL RATIO lenses. Mathematically, what people refer to as a variable aperture zoom lens technically is a fixed aperture lens, because if you change focal length and keep the aperture opening the same size, the focal ratio will change, however in what people refer to as a fixed or constant aperture zoom lens, in order for the FOCAL RATIO to stay the same when you change focal lengths, the aperture has to change sizes.

[@SewerTapes]

Dude, when I took film and video courses in college, our editing suites were running Final Cut Pro 2. The color grading you demonstrated here was the stuff of all of our "wouldn't it be cool if" discussions. Unhappy with Final Cut Pro 2's results, I turned to Photoshop 4's color tools and film grain filter. . . and fed my entire final project through, frame by bloody frame. It took 80 hours, averaging three frames per minute, spread over a week and a half. That's not even counting the entire day spent manually splitting and exporting the source frames to image files one at a time as well. It never ceases to amaze me how far tech for the average indie filmmaker has come. Take advantage of those cheap cameras and powerful computers. Keep making art. Hollywood is spiraling the drain while the future of independent cinema keeps getting brighter and more accessible.

[@watzmaaname]

Wow! We are privileged.

[@divinodayacap3313]

I wanna see a sample footage of that!!!!

[@SewerTapes]

@@divinodayacap3313 I'd like to see it again too. Really need to get my old tapes converted someday.

[@PictureProductStudio]

It's so interesting to find you in this comment section, because I was thinking of you a lot lately. :)

[@SewerTapes]

@@PictureProductStudio Hey, how are you?

[@JamesHawkeYouTube]

It's never been about cameras. Hard for gear heads to appreciate. Nice work.

[@garydipper2931]

I love this! For somebody who started using video cameras in 1988 it is difficult to explain how much I miss just the sensation of holding and using a camcorder. Your video is tempting me to give it a go again before the grandkids get to old 😊

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thanks for your comment! There is for sure a unique experience you get with a camcorder and a hard to describe quality about the process and intimate nature of the video you can capture on them! In my opinion, the perfect device to capture memories on. I’m very pleased you’ve been encouraged to explore shooting on camcorders again!

[@konstantin_lv]

The algorithm brought me here and I’m so glad to see that Davinci’s Cineon LUTs are being used at 00:13:00 as opposed to to something overcomplicated and suggesting to buy a pack of LUTs 👏 Great work Scott!

[@TheDesertsweeper]

Markuspix gonna love this

[@LeopoldoManuelRamirezMena]

Yup, his favorite vcr😂

[@Studiotek]

Panasonic/Lumix really is soooo underrated. The S5IIX, GH6, S1H, GH7, etc. are just insanely good and can put out beautifully cinematic content... and now you go and buy an old Panny camcorder and STILL put out beautiful cinematic content!

[@sebastian3004]

JVC is great too but hipsters only care about sony crap lol

[@sweetsmakemeshredded3672]

@@sebastian3004 JVC is amazing, i shot so many things with my jvc camcorder

[@Bauhaus-x2s]

@@sebastian3004 pues conozco un genio que hace cine con sony fullframe y lentes vintage el cual es amante de lo analogico pero estas camaras de video minidv solo pueden darte la textura de cine mediante una edicion plana como la del video que el muestra que no esta nada mal pero se nota irreal

[@jan-hendrikswanepoel3744]

This is some of the most accessible tutorials working with Resolve. Great job.

[@Steve-cx2oe]

this video is pure class, I am rooting for you man

[@luisfernandonicolosi1790]

thank you for uploading this!! I've been looking for this sort of content for a month, and you just handed us something very clean, instructive and authentic. Bravo 👏

[@DtothaACE]

Great video! Really inspired me to make something this year given the equipment I already have. You're 100% correct about placing more importance on the art, style, character and voice of your work. I have procrastinated for waaay too long on making my own art. I know almost no one starts off making perfect polished work. It takes time, and there's no time like right now. Subbed

[@roachv2]

This video gave me a lot of hope for the future in terms of my vision, thanks.

[@ReelFilm2016]

Great Video Sir. Finding and showcasing your own creative process and style is what it's all about. I picked up a Panasonic VXF990 a few years back, which I reviewed. Watch your subs skyrocket. You have new one in me.

[@JohnonaBike]

Great video thanks 😊 I have just got myself a second hand Panasonic VX1 and it's excellent and so easy and so much fun to use

[@joligrunlaub3412]

11:55 there it starts to be interesting to me as a Resolve newbie. I tried it on my old HDV-videos and it came out amazing. The change from 709 to a cineon film log is the main point to my opinion. After that you can make what you want an use all these film logs. A big thank to Scott.

[@ci0nek709]

thank you for showing that you need csp before these film looks, i always thought why they are so strong

[@blainedunlap8571]

Sir- If you are the next gen, we are in good hands. I started in 8, then S, then 16, over to EIAJ, u-matic, BetaCam, BetaSP, etc. as soon as camcorder arrived for me, 2005, I shot all day, every day, but still in NTSC -- 2K, 4K digital video is lovely - after all those years of hand-holding moving image cameras, switching to DSLR is ridiculous, however, 20 years ago a mid-career change took me to film preservation and archiving, (gotta hang on to all the stuff we all made) ANYHOW, part of my portfolio is using RESOLVE,; you put a lot of work into explaining the entire process, from a DPs point of view, and isn't interesting that shooters are not shooter-editors again -- and on an on, thanks mucho

[@Just-Random-Z]

I have the Panasonic HC-VX981K and it's a great camera. Was a lot cheaper to start shooting and was easy setting up a simple rig for lights/mic. Buying the cam and doing all that was cheaper than the camera body alone of some of these "cinema" cameras.

[@AnthonyPtak]

This is amazing especially with the filmic effects via davinci post. Resourceful production is where it’s at. Thanks for the tutorial 😮

[@rnilu86]

I think 28 days later shot with a cheap digital camera for a certain look. This video reminds me of some shots from that movie. Great video.

[@kelvinfunkner]

this was amazing. I didn't really understand anything you were doing in dehance, but the end result was incredibly jawdropping!

[@bibekpawn6175]

3:15 love this scene

[@Stash_Studio]

Absolutely brilliant video!

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thank you very much!

[@wearetrackclub]

You are an inspiration! Love how you put this together. So insightful 🙌

[@PictureProductStudio]

So, first of all, I've added all the detailed camera and negative info on IMDb (as well as the link to the movie). More to come with a dedicated sit and watch process with a short film itself (which I'm savoring for at least a few days) but already: I think you've just saved my filmmaking creativity here, man. Discovering your work is like a crucial piece of a puzzle. For context: since 2007 I was a camcorder filmmaker. I've started right away to shoot a feature film we're still working on after 18 years (!). This feature film and a trial and error learning process ran two camcorders very nearly into the grave: a 720p Sony DCR-DVD106 (I know, awful for a feature but I knew no better in 2007-2012 and only upgraded to Full HD in 2015) and a Canon Legria HF R36. Both are surprisingly still hanging there after 18 and 10 years but they've become unusable outdoors due to assorted mechanical trauma over the years, so I'm pretty much retiring them and it hurts a bit. Like, now I'm forced to film pick-ups with a smartphone and one of the things I've started to think about is a new dedicated film camera, mostly for next features already lined up (after 18 years I really want to shoot those in like months). But the thing is... I like camcorders. Love even. I know how to use them. I did for nearly two decades. And so I was searching for something in this vein and encountered this video. And it's so much more than a technical advice (even though next features are planned to have these long tracking shots through specific locations, so I've found a ton of insight here). It's first and foremost a reminder that we love doing films because we love the process, regardless of technology, often in spite of it. I did a number of myself trying to make a Halloween special short film in 2024 with footage shot exclusively on two smartphones: my previous Samsung Galaxy A20 and my current reinforced outdoorsman Romanian thing called iHunt Titan P15000 Ultra, which has a Sony sensor. It was surprising that people complimented how the final result looked because, apparently, my camcorder experience made me adamant on salvaging shots that I like even if there are technical problems. For example, I've blended and superimposed some shots together until they've become a surreal collage which is a thing I also love to do. It's kinda freeing and I love that this way of thinking is there. I love the combination of different mediums (we have 35 mm shot stop-motion on point-and-shoot cameras because I love real film), different cameras and looks which still abides to a singular creative vision. P.S. Also wondering whether you cast yourself in the lead because you're 196 cm (6′ 5) and it's easier to Zoom on you in the crowd. I'm speaking from experience because I'm like 192 cm (6' 3) myself. :) Had to cast myself in the lead in a few shorts over the years by necessity. I like acting, but it's a challenge to both act and direct, also pretty much being a DOP. So my respect to taking that challenge and running with it. And sorry for writing an essay of a comment.

[@Scott.Burchell]

No need to apologise for the long comment! I really enjoyed reading it and appreciate your words. Knowing that the video has contributed to getting things flowing again and inspired you is the best validation I could get for this. My goal is to try and inspire people to just get up and do it as I know very well first hand the paralysis that can come when you sit and get caught up overthinking the gear or the process. The learning and the value comes from getting out and doing it and I always love the saying 'fail and fail quickly' because it's a reminder to me that nobody just gets up and does it perfectly the first time. You learn way more when it goes wrong than when it goes right. I think that it's so easy to get lost comparing to other work or other artists but there are stories that only you can tell, and you only find that voice by trying to find out who you are through art, and see what stirs something meaningful within you, and then chasing it. Do you have a link to your work? I'd love to check some of it out. And as for the height thing - while it did help the character stand out as I was more visible in the sea of people in those crowded scenes, this wasn't the main reason! Acting is my main passion these days and while I love making films, I often do so as a means to explore characters or places through acting by creating roles for myself. While auditioning and waiting for jobs to come it, it just makes sense to me to always be improving and if there's no jobs one month, I'll try and make one! It's more enjoyable to work with a director when acting, as I'm sure you know! but doing both at the same time does of course afford the chance to explore both sides of the coin in a interesting way. Also a huge thanks for adding info to the IMDB!

[@Baskiii0503]

1000th subscriber 😁🤘🏽 good video! Stay as you are!

[@ttizm]

Absolutely great tutorial. Thanks❤ plz keep on filming

[@fluffycritter]

Another thing to consider when zooming in is that it has a tendency to flatten things out, which can vastly affect the appearance of people, faces especially.

[@TR-707]

camcorder manufacturers from 1990-2010: THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU ALL

[@notsaya4057]

Love it dude!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Not a criticism at all, but if you look at the majority of major motion pictures pre-1980 -- and well back into the 'golden era' -- shallow depth of field was far more the exception than the rule -- even in scenes with one primary visual subject against a busy or complex background. The concept of using shallow depth of field to isolate the subject seems to be much more modern and borrows a lot from portrait (still) photography. Nothing wrong with that -- but it definitely is a technical and stylistic change compared to the 75+ years of cinema previous.

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thanks for your comment! That’s a really great point and an interesting thing to discuss. I’ve noticed that shallow DOF as the norm and as a signal of what’s ‘cinematic’ or not seems new. I’m a massive fan of classic cinema and have noticed that in the majority, not only are wider lenses more commonplace but shallow DOF is the exception, as you say. I find it strange that in the modern day and the digital domain, shooting this way tends to be received as ‘amateur’ or ‘cheap looking’ when at the same time, some of the best films ever produced imply the same shooting style. I have often wondered if it’s down to format characteristics or nostalgia. Very interesting

[@FreakinOutOnAudio]

Depends. Plenty of Bokeh is there from the late 70’s onward. Its just not over-the-top very often. Extreme nonstop bokeh looks amateurish at this point in history.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@FreakinOutOnAudio It can definitely be overdone -- in cinema -- to the point where the viewer is not sure what the setting/location is, which may be integral to the film. Always good to have the option of the shallow depth of field if needed....

[@RavinderSingh-ft5dw]

Superb work dear

[@jackoneil3933]

Brilliant! Very informative and inspiring. Thanks!

[@videocaptureguide]

Thanks for this. Super useful info, particularly getting the video into something resembling log.

[@Scott.Burchell]

No problem! Thanks for your comment!

[@THTSound]

That's a heavy edited video with "Blockbuster" effect

[@johnjohn55555]

Nice man, all about the idea and not the gear.

[@mrrandom177]

Love my old Panasonic SD700

[@savvybuilds]

Great information!

[@ChrisB-bi6qc]

This is great, only problem I can see if the dropped frames I can see throughout some of these clips you’ve shared

[@crayzmarc]

Damn I've got a very similar camcorder for the same reason you got one. Nice work and love to see the new world.

[@johnnyvalentineparker]

Would love to see the 2 tone tutorial.

[@Scott.Burchell]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-YhGeIm7-Hm6c

[@johnnyvalentineparker]

@ cheers mate

[@YusriSapari]

reminds me of the mindset i had when i was filming on camcorders in school

[@Lp-ze1tg]

Checked the spec of this camcorder. It is interesting that it has a Twin Camera Operation mode. Great work.

[@videobyredjade]

amazing, Thank you

[@harrycash8713]

Great video can you recommend an affordable laptop to do this editing on or at least the requirements for processor ram etc?

[@maxtroy]

Nice video, thank you!

[@whenifeellow]

haha, I didn't think camcorders even went up to 4K!. Your footage looks good, man.

[@likoetsvp]

@MarkusPix has been shouting this for years. Content is king. Gear excites the creator but story captivates the viewer. It can be hard to step away and look at it through a different lens. (No pun intended)

[@Scott.Burchell]

Completely agree! And have always been a fan of Markus and his message and gear suggestions

[@scandicmonkey]

When thinking our time as documentary, and how much on video footage there has been between, say 1980 and today, the amount is tremendous and ever clinging, vastly.

[@Scott.Burchell]

That’s a very interesting thought! It’s funny really the vast over-saturation of media. I watched this Netflix documentary about the Boston bombing and they had collected everyone’s digital footage from the event and edited it together to create a timeline. It was fascinating to see how much media from so many different perspectives was captured. I wonder if this flood of new media and accessible film technology will mean more great films or just more padding around them. You would think that with so much more accessibility to the means to create, art would get better, but I wonder if it just dilutes it and makes great work harder to find?

[@personalwatching9312]

I'm an audio guy but this is amazing. Makes me wonder if i can shoot my own video clips for my songs

[@blairwilliams136]

You can and should do it , there’s no mystery to shooting video or editing . Lighting is always the most important factor .

[@artvillanueva9628]

Depth of field depends on 3 things, format, focal length, and distance from the subject.

[@conorrennard8628]

I understand that it's easier to film on a camcorder but buying a lumix gh5 or something could be a similar proce

[@Scott.Burchell]

Agreed! You would definitely get a great quality SLR like the GH4 or GH5 in the same price range and I think depending on project, that may be the best option! But having worked with a GH5 extensively in the past, for my purposes, I knew that the auto settings just wouldn’t cut it in this circumstance. Ultimately, each project is unique and will require some thought when it comes to selecting gear. I just thought I’d share this process and shed some light on how a camcorder can be used to get good looking shots. Thanks for your comment, it’s a very important point to consider!

[@E.Danielfilm]

@@Scott.Burchell try the R7, it's what I've been shooting on for a while. 4k APS-C and it is around $1700

[@Studiotek]

That's true, but then he's back into the same issue with size as he was with the BMPCC

[@BADHALOMEDIA]

Brilliant video and attitude. You're right. If you have access to something that shoots video then go do something. Resolve etc are all very capable of helping you create something beautiful on a shoestring. I have just completed a Beatle related film that was essentially shot over 6+ years with the help of a bit of crowd funding, anything I had to sell to finance getting places, a lot of good will and for a majority of the front end, a Canon 5D mark3 and then an early GH5 and an iPhone. A lot of the film is also user generated content, which is always a good way to tell a story and be inclusive with and audience. Congrats on the film which I am just about to watch.

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thank you very much for this comment! Greatly appreciate your words and I’m so pleased that the philosophy resonates with your own and that the idea of just starting and making something with what you have came across. As a Beatles fan, I’d love to learn more about your film too! I very much like the sound of the communal aspect of using user generated content and crowd funding to secure some of the funds to bring the vision to life!

[@josematus]

Fantastic !!

[@EricNorcross]

Surprised to have the last words here... thanks, Scott!

[@Scott.Burchell]

Can’t think of a more fitting ending to the video! Your help on IHJIP was instrumental and I’m happy to be able to share your wise words in this video!

[@PANDRIUX]

In fact, the Panasonic VX981 has the best image stabilization, so far few can match it!.

[@zefirshaman]

00:06 - bro i immediately get it...

[@testtube1842]

Film looks like it tripped over and landed in an orange and teal lut. Looks good though.

[@Scott.Burchell]

Haha thanks! For sure is an ‘out there’ look. It’s inspired by the 1920s 2 strip Technicolor process and I just uploaded a video diving into the look! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-YhGeIm7-Hm6c

[@NightPhoenixPress]

Bruh, we were doing this back in the day. We didn’t even have 4k.

[@MM3RTH]

Hi Scott, I just bought a cheap 8k camcorder on Amazon, comments please, no snobby remarks please lol. Has anyone else bought one for experimental purposes. Thanks in advance. Scott I liked your approach to the project this is very much in keeping with my personal situation . Makes it worth emulating as an old age pensioner who is so skint trying to stay warm in Scotland (The cost of heating lol). Keep up the good work.

[@frankduffy7471]

Excellent.

[@NYCIndieFilmmakerSujewa]

good video. I just shot some footage that looks like 16MM film from that camcorder or similar (I used the Panasonic VX870), test footage for a fiction feature project - turned out great, edited/post work done on FCPX - uploading it soon.

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thank you! Feel free to share the link here once you have uploaded it! Would love to see it. Think these cameras are a great base for that 8 or 16mm look!

[@Followerguru-r6i]

HEY SIR HELL THIS IS A NICE EXPLANATION U GOT A NEW SUSCRIBER

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thank you very much!

[@dreamsandrealms4581]

Telelenses or zooming in "stacks" stuff. Goal is to fade background and give depth. Point is to make "unreal" and create backgrounds as "backdrops"=make art

[@BärenmarkeScotch]

Good Video! I thought, I'd be the only "camcorder-dehancer-creep" out there ;-) I'm also using Panasonic (HC-V180) for my films, because of budget and other reasons.It's a kind of love-hate thing for someone who would prefer to shoot on 16mm. Maybe some experience: - Turn down the highlights (color wheels tab) in the node before dehancer, as this camcorder and digital material in general does not good with lights - underexpose and unsharp in the camcorder settings (not really a secret) - you get free and authenthic chromatic aberration when you zoom into the lights ;-)

[@moot6794]

Great video, thanks!

[@HiroIndo16]

it's the cursed vignette for me

[@blueCollarGuy]

I've been experimenting with cinematic footage on different kinds of Panasonic cameras. We all know that Sony is King when it comes to video. A lot of people might dispute that but hell they own their own film production company. So the other companies don't have that. But Panasonic in my opinion is number two and DJI is right in there as well. They are also making cinematic movies with their new Ronan 4D which made that big movie civil war. So there's lots of options out there which is great. I like what you did with DaVinci resolve but I don't have DaVinci resolve and I also don't know what kind of computer that you needed for that program cuz I think that you have to have a fairly decent computer to run DaVinci resolve the way it needs to be run. Is there any chance you have the information on the minimal computer requirements for DaVinci resolve? And could you do the same things with capcut? And I'm not referring to the the computer version. I'm referring to the mobile version that would be something that I'd be interested in if you could get that style footage with that. Camcorder using nothing but an app on your phone now that is game changing in my opinion because it's something that a lot of people could do. I use capcut myself. The only thing I don't like is that when you're using longer footage anything over 10 minutes it gets kind of glitchy but I am curious. Anyways, I really enjoyed the video. I hope that you get a lot of subscribers. You seem to know what you're talking about. Don't worry about getting your terminology wrong on the fstop. I have a Panasonic HC wxf1 camcorder which is actually the newer version of what you have. It even has the little second camera in the door. You should check out that one. Maybe there's something creative you can do with that. The other thing is I have a Panasonic f said 2500 bridge camera which would probably give you more blurry background cuz it has a 1-in sensor. Maybe there's something you could do with that. If you're able to acquire these two cameras, I'd be interested in seeing what you could do with those. Maybe you could borrow them rent them by? I might buy them. I don't know, but doing more with less is what a lot of people want to see these days. They don't want to see what you could do with a Sony FX6 or a black magic or red system or a Sony. Fx9 or an arri Alexa 35. I do like the Panasonic gh7 and you can get an arri log for that camera, I'd be curious to see what that looks like. I know other people have played around with it. It's just a micro 4/3. Anyways, I've rambled on enough. Sorry for the long comment but you raise a lot of questions

[@Klartext.Germany-lg9dm]

❤❤❤

[@CrushingRiffsWreckords]

its all about the post processing. that's all.

[@sclogse1]

Seems blue after all the corrections. I'm not asking for Nacho Libre, but heading there. So, since I brought up Nacho Libre, I shoot Fuji X, and not the latest camera body. So I have a certain amount of looks to choose from in the supplied sims. I tend to move the white balance after selecting auto white balance on my Fuji X camera to four points to the right and four down on the grid you get when you keep going past white balance. It's a new default of mine, and I've yet to find problems with it. But I think the strong Nacho Libre look kind of reminds me of Kodak Vericolor, which was commonly used to photograph weddings. A lot. I printed a ton of it in a custom lab. It really Nachos up skin tones. So, I'm suggesting you try to match that in one of your uploads. Thanks for this one.

[@mjk744]

Great. Thank you!!!

[@RascalKyng]

Now you're gonna buy a second one, for workflow posterity.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

👌

[@conuncuchillo]

that is NOT a cheap camera

[@schwipsy]

lmao yeah I don't think there's there's any real 4k cheap camera I don't think that you can even do this kind of stuff or push the footage that far in a truly cheap camera, not a 500 pound one haha

[@WILLFRANCA1]

@@schwipsythere are GoPros recording at 5.3 K for 150$ and LUMIX g7 4K around 300$. Not expensive at all

[@Scott.Burchell]

The camera at the time of purchase cost £280 and while I’ve noticed that this model has jumped up in price, you can still get other models from Panasonic with the same features in this price range. it’s a very valid point that this is still a considerable sum of money! But when you take into account that a camcorder has a fixed lens and unlike a DSLR style camera, you don’t have to spend additional money on lenses, my argument is that this camera at the £300 mark is ‘relatively’ cheaper than most cameras that would allow me to shoot in 4K at variable focal lengths with auto settings of this nature. But ultimately, while I use this camcorder as an example - my mission with this video was to inspire people to use what is accessible to them. In my case, I had this camcorder for capturing memories and wanted to try using it to shoot a short film. It was a specific requirement but I thought by sharing the process, it might be informative to people who may be in a similar position. My main message is to just use what you have and not be limited by not having the best gear - in my case it was this camera at the time. But it’s all relative and what really matters is what you do with it. I actually also made a short film on a £40 camcorder in Seattle that same year and leant into the nostalgic quality of early digital! If you have a moment, it’s an example of the same concept with a very ‘cheap’ camera: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpOXm3qXl955jdU

[@EmotionVFX]

​@@schwipsythere is that cheap camera, you just don't know the seller. If you search for stuff , you'll get average prices. However, there are plenty of owners out there having a rarely used cam that's collecting dust. Just ask for it, I had it plenty of times I made a great deal or even got it gifted.

[@NightPhoenixPress]

@@schwipsyYou can get some old Canon camcorders that look pretty good, but they’re only 1080p. Keep in mind you can do this kind of thing on action cameras.

[@HankOrionYT]

Impossibile you say? Use dji pocket 1 or 2. I shot few features on it.

[@Scott.Burchell]

As I say at the end of the video 25:14 - I did in fact also use a DJI Pocket 2 on this film as one of the three cameras mentioned. I love the Pocket 2 and think it has a great base look for film emulation too, when shooting in their 'log' mode. But when I say impossible - I mostly am referring to the zoom as in my case, it was a must and while the DJI worked great for wider shots, it has a very limited zoom when compared to the camcorder used.

[@HankOrionYT]

@@Scott.Burchell well done buddy, keep making films

[@davefink2326]

8:30 zooming in to faces is far more flattering, too. Noses and cheeks regain their proper proportions. Plus, the background also has a far fewer distractions in the frame, not just blur.

[@this_time_imperfect]

Everybody sleeps on Panasonic, I’ve said for years that they are the best looking image.

[@bibekpawn6175]

24:22 i want this tutorial so bad . please. looks like a full spectrum camera

[@Scott.Burchell]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-YhGeIm7-Hm6c

[@bibekpawn6175]

@@Scott.Burchell oh yes i love you!!!!!( not gay)

[@Meercatfilms]

Hi scott I would really be keen to try this out too. I cannot afford fx3/fx30 but want to create awesome footage akin to 90s cinematography

[@LouisA-q3r]

A $150 Samsung phone would have looked just as good with enough editing 😏

[@the_grand_tourer]

I thought you were going to find a way to fit a speed booster and feed out to an *external RAW recorder or something ! But No ! Interesting to be reminded that we did have good stuff, no need to keep updating ! * Is there even an AV out on this camera ?

[@Scott.Burchell]

That’s a very cool and interesting idea! While all the clips featured in the video were shot on the camcorder - One of the other cameras we used on the film was the original and now dated 1080p Blackmagic Pocket cinema camera. It was used for the indoor lower lighting areas like grand central/ subway scenes and I fell in love with that camera! Such a great filmic look. I may do a separate video on it with Eric who shot those parts of the film but to your point - I did wonder about rigging out an original BMPCC Body to create a truly small automatic camera that shoots in raw

[@marklstreet]

I feel way better and natural recording with a video cam. Always has been like that for me; I have photo cameras and video cameras..but not video cameras in photo camera bodies :v

[@starling1360]

This is really inspiring. Is the focal length equivalent the same as with 35mm cameras? I mean 80mm is 80mm?

[@TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss]

I could definitely and immediately tell it wasn’t shot on a nice camera hahahah. But nice video anyway. There is a charm in these old camcorders

[@rossomagic]

The audience won't care anyways, the story is more important.

[@TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss]

@@rossomagic always…

[@basketballmaven1454]

I believe that camera has a 1 inch sensor

[@dayuhanspace]

It has that 16mm film look. What was your white balance settings? Its quite green

[@Scott.Burchell]

To be completely honest, if I were to go back, I’d warm up the first shot and perhaps tweak the tint on the 16mm slightly! While I can’t remember the exact settings - here’s a detailed tutorial for getting a similar 8mm look that I made last year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n52samubrr-ZnZo

[@JohnonaBike]

Can I ask how you apply the cinema style cinema scope look of the black border top and bottom

[@recandcut]

I try the same with the Panasonic HC-VXF11 last summer. My results: 8Bit sucks and the details Like grass look washed out in low light. No variable ND Filters work with zoom. The video footage looked cheap. I sold the camcorder afterwards!

[@iomariani8822]

Very nice ! But why did you grade in the node behind the LUT?

[@eliiezer]

great video. would love to see a two-tone effect tutorial

[@Scott.Burchell]

Thank you! And I’ll definitely work on a two-tone video, too. It’s a nice trick that’s especially useful for ‘forcing’ a pleasing colour palate in post

[@Scott.Burchell]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX-YhGeIm7-Hm6c

[@quite1enough]

panasonic hc-vx870 still quite pricey thing outside of western regions :(

[@Scott.Burchell]

That’s a very good point! While I use this camera in this video as an example, the same principle applies to most devices that capture video. My aim is to instil the ideal that it’s best to use what you have and not wait for something too expensive to start making art and finding your voice. Here’s a film I shot on a £40 (or less) camcorder. While it’s a very different look, leaning into this older digital look can create a nostalgic and a surreal look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpOXm3qXl955jdU

[@congozilla]

Why is "Depth of Field," abbreviated as, "D.O.P?" That does not make sense from where I'm sitting. Can anyone tell me?

[@batoubato]

you should try the canon xc10 ;)

[@activeproduction5333]

I can tell but most won't..

[@sykocase247]

My idea of cheap is like $150....if that 🤣

[@mrotaveria]

Whats up with the vignette? No irony on this, really wondering why you put it always

[@Scott.Burchell]

The short answer is really just that I’m a fan of vignettes on shots. I’ve always been a fan of shooting with vintage lenses and used to have a lens that naturally had a nice vignette. I liked how it worked as a minor compositional tool that further draws the viewers attention towards a subject and just makes certain shots look more pleasing to my eye. In this case, I used it to add more character to the camcorder footage to further try and distance from the flat digital look it can produce. But it’s very much a subjective addition and one that is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea!

[@spiderthenics9462]

How isnt an 8bit video doesnt break down with all that color correction and grade ? Also how on earth this camera is able to capture that dynamic range ? something is fishy here..

[@marton349]

Did you not shoot it RAW?

[@Scott.Burchell]

Not in this case! While on most film projects, we typically always shoot in raw - all the shots on the camcorder were just in an MP4 format in rec.709

[@sergeantcrow]

😀