'On Camera' by Harris Watts

You may just squeeze in for the government sponsored I.L.A. account if you register tomorrow!

£150 voucher off price of I.O.V. Cameracraft course.

Tel.0800 072 5678
or; www.my-ila.com

You'll have to be quick.

Paul, keep the questions coming, there's a lot more answers we can give. You know me, I can ramble on for ages, and have trained myself not to do so unless I'm specifically requested. So, if you're still hankering after data, keep posting questions.

Dunno about that book, but a few years ago I picked up a copy of "Basic Betacam Camerawork" (focal press) for £12.99 in my local Waterstones.
I tend to think that it gives a good overall picture - allowing for the fact that you might be shooting on any format, but the basic camera controls / principles are the same.

I do have that book, but I don't recall any specifics on camera controls. It's more to do with the entire tv and film creative process.

Chris.

Hi,

I have a copy of the ON CAMERA book, it's more about how to produce a TV programme.

It tells you how to record pictures and sound, without showing you which button to press.

I'd still recommend this book to you; it will answer questions you would have liked to ask, including the ones you never thought of asking.

A good refrence book for anyone trying to roll their own videos.

Jim Bird.

[This message has been edited by Jim Bird (edited 31 July 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jim Bird (edited 02 August 2001).]

I agree that the Betacam book has a lot of general stuff in it, (as does the other?).
There's a bit of stuff about specific camera controls as well.
The trouble is, although most cameras have simnilar controls, I'm not aware of any book that covers them all(cameras).
You might be better to borrow a specific cameras instruction book. You really need to learn with a camera present - otherwise it's like trying to leaarn to drive from a book. (Or - Ahem...any other activity. You need hands on experience)

trry doing a search on the net, you never know what some people stick up on it.Sites such as <[url]">http://videouniversity.com/>[/url] are useful, as are
<[url]">http://www.wwug.com/forums/index.htm>[/url]

both are American, but find the right bb and someone might be able to point you in the direction of a generic camera control book.

To be honest, there are fewer controls on a pro camera than on the average domestic. Most are set once and forget, unless you're trying to match another cameras time code, or trying to repeat weird effects

Thanks guys for the replies, information and ideas.

I won't bore you with all the details but I am considering, in the next 6/9 months or so, buying myself a serious camera. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on and trying to compare cameras like the Sony DSR300/500 and the JVC 500/700. I was also considering the PD150 and I still like this camera very much, but I can't help feeling I want to go widescreen - but with switchable chips rather that use an "A" lens. I visited the IOV exhibition and picked up some good info. but not always general, as you'd expect everyone wants to sell their own products.

I am obviously considering DVCAM as well as DV but I still have lots of questions which I can't quite get my head round. For instance I understand that the quality of the pictures on tape is very similar - but why should a fixed lens like the one on the PD150 produce a similar quality picture to the one produced by the DSR 300, especially if the lens on the latter is capable of producing 800 lines at the camera end?

If it's down to the tape (DV or DVCAM) being only capable of producing little more than 500 lines, why bother with separate lenses? If the quality of the DSR300 is vastly superior to the PD150 then is it down to other things such as the controls of the camera - hence the thirst for knowledge about all the camera controls and functions.

Before I buy any new camera I intend to enrol on the IOV Skills Workshops (and thanks Red but I registered for the I.L.A. account only last week - I think I'm in okay).

I believe in "measure twice and cut once" and if I'm going to spend a lot of money on new gear I want to ensure I have as many answers as possible before parting with the cash.

Thanks to you also Alan, I knew I'd be able to rely on you being able to answer my questions. Over the coming weeks/months I'll sort out my key questions and if they haven't been answered elsewhere by then (I'll search first), I'll post them so others can possibly benefit from the answers too.

But if anyone comes across a suitable book in the meantime....

Thanks again,

Paul

I don't know of any relevant books, but I can cast some light on your real dilemma.

The JVC700 is a genuine widescreen camera, so no shenanigans when switching betweeen 4:3 and 16:9. The reason why it costs so much is because it's got more real controls, has XLR inputs, timecode etc, all the things you'd demand of a professional camera. It's range of control isn't the world's best, but you can get it to make cheerful pictures and any broadcaster will accept them.

The reason why interchangeable lenses are a good idea is that they're interchangeable. Sounds trite, maybe, but it's true. With a standard bayonet mount, you can go out and fit any tv (or film) lens to it. OK, maybe not any lens, like Panavision Primos, but you get the point. Just take a look at the Optex web site http;//www.optexint.com to see the range of lenses you can get hold of; from 180 degree fisheye to 600mm, range extenders, doublers that you can stack, stabilised lenses, medical periscopes, you name it, there's dozens of 'em. And that's only from Optex. Fujinon and Angenieux have similar ranges, and they'll all fit and work. Some better than others maybe, but your choice is vast. And you can fit film lenses as well, and use Arri rails and matte boxes, and grad filters, and rain spinners and......

You got that point already I guess

The JVC GY-DV500 has a comprehensive set of pro knobs and switches and has been successfully trialled for news-gathering by the BBC in Bristol (believe it or not using the standard "throw away" lens!).

The 700 unit has much larger chips in order to capture the charged "image" in true unadulterated 16:9 format. As unit sales increase the price of the 700 will drop. I believe it's a tad early to be buying such a unit - unless you are sure you need the widerscreen NOW. After all the move is still towards streaming video on the web...and most computer screen are 3:4 !!!

Dave C

Good point Dave and thanks,

I won't be making any purchases until at least Feb/March next year so I guess I still have time to do more research and watch the market trends.

Thanks,

Paul

Paul,

I've just done a review of "Digital Cinematography" by Paul Wheeler (ex BBC bloke - knows his stuff) which goes into great detail about camera set-ups (specifically Sony) and also give a good intro into HD.

You should perhaps check it out, as it covers a lot of the questions you have. available at www.focalpress.co.uk (maybe .com)

Ben,

Would the book be relevant to a DSR300 or DSR500 purchaser? I have just searched Amazon and it looks like it could be a good book to have in my library.

Anything you can add before I order please?

Thanks,

Paul

I got a mailshot yesterday, http://www.bh.com/focalbooks/uk/subindex.asp?maintarget=&isbn=0240516494&country=United+Kingdom&srccode=&ref=&subcode=&head=.
Might be of use to you
cheers
dm

Thanks Dave,

Amazon say it is due to be published in September so I'll check it out then. For the price it is worth adding to the library also.

Cheers,

Paul

Regarding the comments on the book 'Basic Betacam' I don't think you are doing this book justice, or perhaps haven't read it properly. I know it's not written in a manner that makes it a nice easy read, but it does give specifics on just about every knob and button found on the camera. It also explains the whys in a lot of cases.

If it went any further in depth it would become about 'broadcast engineering' not beta camera operation/explanation. The book is biased towards Sony 300/400 betacam products and the intro explains that. The controls and layout of all Sonys big cameras is pretty much identical, which makes it easy to use any model once you've mastered one.

If it is engineering you are interested in, call Ravensbourne college and ask what to read, or even the Beeb, I'm sure their engineering dept would help. If it's camera operating/camera controls you need, get stuck into Basic Betacam, there's not much I can think of that it doesn't cover.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Tunni

PS I note your interests include F1, As a freelance broadcast cameraman I've worked on Grand Prix around the word. Sounds glamorous but after the initial buzz has gone it's just very very hard work.

Tunni,

Many thanks for the additional information. I have just read the synopsis on Amazon and it looks to be exactly what I am looking for. It also says that it covers DV and DVCAM cameras too.

And with your profile - consider the book bought! But I really wouldn't mind a lot of hard work covering F1 for a season though.

Many thanks.

Paul

[This message has been edited by Paul Rossi (edited 12 August 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Paul Rossi (edited 12 August 2001).]

On the specific point of the books:
The Harris Watts book is out of the ark! My copy is dated 1982. Basic principals don't change of course.
I recently wrote a very short review of 'Basic Betacam Camerawork' by Peter Ward because it has just been re-published in a Third Edition. It is a good book for aspiring broadcast camera users. My major grouse is that it doesn't have a decent index.

On Camera is aimed at giving people directing and programme making skills rather than technical skills. You could try 'Digital Video Camerawork' for a more technical approach.

------------------
Roy Hanney
LCP School of Media
020 7514 7341

Thanks to everyone for your very helpful comments, and I now have on order the following two books:

Basic Betacam Camerawork (#0240516044) and Digital Video Camerawork (#0240516052).

I should have both in the next three/four weeks and I'll let you know how suitable they are for my needs.

Thanks again,

Paul