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3D Camera Hunting at NAB2012
Parallax Films continues its commitment to debating and developing 3D talent, technology and dialogue. This week Sean White shares his thoughts about developments in 3D camera technology.
Sean F. White is a Camera Operator/DOP for countless international documentary projects. He is a trained stereographer and has shot and delivered 3D content for Blowdown 3D and Battle Castle.
On this trip to NAB, I was primarily focused on researching 3D camera systems for television documentary acquisition. While there has been some progress in 3D technology since last year, a huge void remains for production companies who seek professional results but don't have feature film or sports broadcaster budgets.
I'm looking for an integrated twin lens camera system we can take into the field.
Here's what I found:
Sean White with the Cameron PACE Rig at NAB2012
Panasonic AG-3DP1
This is their latest integrated twin camera system. Although it's predecessor the AG-3DA1 was a great leap for 3D, the camera failed in one big department - the interaxial is too wide for filming subjects and converging on them closer than 15 feet away. Try to converge any closer and your background explodes beyond TV specs of 2-3%. Faraway subjects are fine for sports, talk shows, or cooking shows where subject and convergence are at a distance from the camera but not practical for run and gun doc or serious travel/location shooting.
I hoped their latest model, the AG-3DP1 would correct this, it didn't. Although the sensors and interface have improvements, the IA was still 58mm. Despite whatever specs sheets may claim, there's NO WAY you can frame a person (i.e.: a TV host) from the waist up, converge on them, and keep you background within a 2-3% disparity.
While at NAB, I conducted a test with the camera and found that on the widest lens, with convergence set to minimal distance, I'd have to frame an average-height person from the shins up (about 15 feet away) to keep a comfortable 3D. That's total deal breaker for me since I could never use this camera on any of our hosted programs. Can you imagine never being within 15 feet of your nearest subject? Maybe with the use of third party lens adapters you could make this work, but for now this camera still isn't a viable option.
Much like the Panasonic, the Sony is an integrated twin lens 3D camera with all the pros of being self-contained, portable, etc. however the inter-axial is smaller (45mm) so you can get closer to your subjects.
I conducted the same test above and found that at the widest angle and converged at the nearest point, I could comfortable frame a person from the waist up and keep background within acceptable 2-3% specs. Not bad.
I also really liked the 3-way control dial for focus, iris, and convergence. This is a nice design feature that speeds up shooting in general with the bonus of allowing dynamic convergence for moving subjects. It's small enough to fit on our Steadicam Flyer unit but still big enough to shoot smooth and steady off the shoulder.
Although the internal recording specs are pretty good, I'd probably still plan to tap both left and right HDSDI channels and record higher bitrate to our Convergent Design Nano 3D drives.
I definitely would consider this camera for an A-cam hosted doc. We'd still tote around a HDSLR side-by-side system for vista shots but this camera could do 75-90% of the work.
This is the best prosumer camera out there. It could be a great B-roll or POV cam for hard-to-get-at spaces. I played a lot with this camera and was impressed. There is a very nice interface and allows convergence closer than 10 feet. Sweet. We can't tap both left and right signals to our Nano drives but that's ok for our purposes. It would also be great for web video blogs. It’s a must have!
This is another integrated twin camera system. I chatted with the developers and the camera is based on a great concept are geared for sports and outdoor rugged applications (industry, military, etc.) But is still in the R&D stage so they're still have a ways to go before it's production ready. Additionally, sourcing quality lenses for 2/3 in sensors that can resolve 2K or 4K quality might be a challenge. So this is not an option yet but perhaps down the road… I’ll keep an eye on this one.
GoPro has released a firmware update for their HERO 1 and HERO 2 cams to allow users to keep or remove the colour settings applied to the footage during capture. This means that pro users can now start with more neutral, wider latitude source file. (Consumers who want to take the clips and upload to YouTube won't want to bother with this.)
So for us, what we'll experiment with next is using 2 x HERO 2 cameras with the 3D kit AND the new firmware to get the best possible 3D capture. More on this later…
Other than the above, I didn't find any other self-contained, ready-to-go integrated twin camera systems. Everything else 3D were rigs configured with various components of which there are a multitude of rig / sensor / lens / controller / recorder / monitor / etc. options to consider, but the price adds up!
I also looked into the rigs at 3ality and Pace. Very cool stuff but not practical for our work. Personally, I'm a fan of the StereoTec rigs - designed and engineered by my 3D mentor Florian Maier. If you have budget for a feature, I'd call them first. They've got all the auto-aligning technology of 3ality and more. Very solid gear and great people too.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Sean F. White
@seanfwhite
This week in Battle Castle-March 23
As our current six-part series Battle Castle moves towards its explosive season finale on History Television in Canada, 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29, our audience - and the press - continue to take notice of this genre-bending action documentary experience on air and online.
Here are this week's transmedia highlights, direct from the Battle Castle universe:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: Malbork Castle Motion Comic
Malbork Castle's motion comic reveals a bloody mystery that may have tipped the outcome of the famous Battle of Tannenberg, which occurred shortly before the 1410 attack on the Teutonic Knights' Malbork Castle. The castle's build, as well as this siege, are profiled in Battle Castle Episode 5: Malbork Castle.
On Twitter
#BattleCastle/@battlecastle, March 22
Highlights from live tweeting leading up to and during the 9 pm ET simulcast of Battle Castle: Malbork on History Television:
@Medievalists WORD. What's happening right now? THIS>>>> Malbork on #BattleCastle ! :) I was here in 2010. It's a crazy, cool castle http://pic.twitter.com/UDH5wc99
@S3D_Post I like the black brick work @ Malbork best. It adds an amazing aesthetic. #BattleCastle
@battlecastle Miss 10 million bricks already? Here's our fabulous web CGI! http://ow.ly/9Pki6 #MalborkCastle #BattleCastle
@padwrr Cool heating system at #Malbork @battlecastle !
@Medievalarchive Stoking that medieval kiln had to be great in the winter and a scorcher in the summer! #battlecastle
@battlecastle Want more Siege Crossbow? There's a page for that http://battlecastle.tv/siege-crossbow #BattleCastle
@TheGatekeep The attacking forces actually positioned themselves on all four fronts. Von Plauen and his men were surrounded. Or were they? #BattleCastle
@S3D_Post Fast and furious cannon battle at Malbork castle... AWESOME! #BattleCastle
@Medievalists He abandoned the siege?! With that hat, he could've ruled the world. So disappointed. #BattleCastle http://pic.twitter.com/rGcZr1Fk
3 ways to #gomedieval
This week, we featured #gomedieval moments from Malbork Castle:
Reads: The episode
Location: Poland
The build: Malbork Castle was forged by the Teutonic Knights, a powerful order of German crusaders, in the 13th century. Historically known as Marienburg, it is the greatest fortification built by medieval knights during the Baltic Crusades, a mission to convert pagans to Christianity in Prussia and Lithuania. Believed to be the largest brick castle in the world, its unusual building blocks make its design stunning, both visually and militarily. Part of a network of castles with the same basic blueprint that stretch across modern-day Poland, its ingenious moat system, stand-alone tower and lofty High Castle place it among the Teutonic Order’s most incredible military –and architectural – achievements.
In Pictures: the Malbork Castle Flickr set
Video: The Malbork Castle Trailer
Official trailer for Battle Castle: Malbork, which made its world premiere Thursday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET on History Television.
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits ...
Join us.
Castles in 3D: stereoscopic stills of Malbork Castle, captured by Parallax Film Productions
As part of our ongoing commitment to unparalleled 3D production, Parallax Film Productions is thrilled to share stereoscopic 3D stills and video footage of several castles throughout Europe and the Middle East. This exclusive online content was captured during the filming of our current production, Battle Castle, an action documentary about medieval castles.
This week’s feature Battle Castle 3D stills are of the Teutonic Knights' Malbork Castle. Battle Castle: Malbork makes its world premiere Thursday night on History Television at 9 p.m. ET. Check your local listings here.
These high-resolution stereoscopic 3D stills were photographed and rendered by our Director of Photography/Stereographer Sean F. White using the Dubois Optimized technique in Adobe Photoshop. Although the colours are not true to reality, this techniques improves the overall comfort of viewing the images by reducing ghosting and other retinal discomfort common with standard red/cyan images.
The original images are 5K resolution per eye. They've been resized to 2K for faster downloading and viewing on the web.
Ian Herring, President
This week in Battle Castle-March 16
It's an exciting time here at Parallax Film Productions - with our current six-part series Battle Castle in the midst of its world premiere run on History Television in Canada, our audience - and the press - are talking about it on air and online.
Here are this week's transmedia highlights, direct from the Battle Castle universe:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: Conwy Castle Motion Comic
Conwy Castle's motion comic reveals the bloody history of Edward I's relationship with his neighbours the Welsh which resulted in the construction and sieging of his great Iron Ring of Castles in Snowdonia, North Wales. The castle's build, as well as this siege, are profiled in Battle Castle Episode 4: Conwy Castle.
On Twitter
#BattleCastle/@battlecastle, March 15
Highlights from live tweeting leading up to and during the 9 pm ET simulcast of Battle Castle: Conwy on History Television:
@EFreilich The start of March Madness, Crosby's return, and #BattleCastle tonight. SO MUCH GOOD TV!
@battleCastle 1 hr left until #ConwyCastle makes its world premiere on @HistoryTVCanada! Meet Tristian Jones, a Modern-Day Castellan http://ow.ly/9GBoE
@lostbraincells Here we go @battlecastle @becsnow Loved that opening part to camera from the beginning!
@ntomlinson I want one of those shields! #BattleCastle
@becsnow Are you watching battle castle and learning what the Hammer of the Scots did before he hammered the scots? #BattleCastle
@medievalists The Welsh are going to attack these unfinished castles! Kind of like attacking the unfinished #DeathStar #BattleCastle
3 ways to #gomedieval
This week, we featured #gomedieval moments from Conwy Castle:
Reads: The episode
Location: Wales
The build: Conwy was built by King Edward I of England in the late 13th century in Snowdonia, northern Wales. Part of the famous “Iron Ring” of fortifications, it was designed by Edward’s top military architect, Master James of St. George, to suppress Welsh rebellions against English rule. A striking example of Edward’s distinct vision, this fortification is strategically positioned on the River Conwy. Its deadly entrance, lofty crenellated towers, and cleverly-designed river gate are statements to its determined King and enduring domination.
The siege: This stronghold was attacked by the Madog ap Llywelyn after he launched a campaign against the English in 1294. The leader, calling himself Prince of Wales, was armed with the powerful longbow. His army targeted several castles including Harlech – which was besieged - and Caernarfon – where the town and castle were sacked. Edward was present in the castle during the siege of Conwy and the outcome of the uprising would not only decide the destiny of England’s holdings in Wales – it would also inspire the King to attempt to perfect castle engineering by raising the mighty Beaumaris.
In Pictures: the Conwy Castle Flickr set
Video: The Conwy Castle Trailer
Official trailer for Battle Castle: Conwy, which made its world premiere Thursday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET on History Television. This episode profiles the build and siege of Conwy Castle, as well as other castles in King Edward I's Iron Ring. Also known as Edward Longshanks, this king of England built several strongholds in northern Wales in the late 13th century in an attempt to subjugate the local population.
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits ...
Join us.
Castles in 3D: stereoscopic stills of Conwy Castle, captured by Parallax Film Productions
As part of our ongoing commitment to unparalleled 3D production, Parallax Film Productions is thrilled to share stereoscopic 3D stills and video footage of several castles throughout Europe and the Middle East. This exclusive online content was captured during the filming of our current production, Battle Castle, an action documentary about medieval castles.
This week’s feature Battle Castle 3D stills are of Edward I’s Conwy Castle. Battle Castle: Conwy makes its world premiere tomorrow night on History Television at 9 p.m. ET. Check your local listings here.
These high-resolution stereoscopic 3D stills were photographed and rendered by our Director of Photography/Stereographer Sean F. White using the Dubois Optimized technique in Adobe Photoshop. Although the colours are not true to reality, this techniques improves the overall comfort of viewing the images by reducing ghosting and other retinal discomfort common with standard red/cyan images.
The original images are 5K resolution per eye. They've been resized to 2K for faster downloading and viewing on the web.
Ian Herring, President