16 mm film transfer
 

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone had any advice or experience on purchasing a camcorder for 16 mm film transfer. The projector that I currently own runs at 16-18 fps. I am looking to reduce film flicker by synchonizing the camcorder shutter speed to the projector speed. I realize there other ways to accomplish this, but I am going to be buying a camcorder for home use anyway so I looking for the best of both worlds. Currently I've had my eye on the optura xi by Cannon because of the manual control capabilities. I'm looking to spend up to $1500.00, any advice would be appreciated.

thanks,
polz

Exactly what are you doing? Telecine? Are you going project a film image and then videotape it or what?

I take it this will be in 16:9, right?

16 mm
 

Nickdog,
I am talking about taking a standard 3 bladed Kodak projector that runs around 16-18 fps and synching the shutter speed to reduce flicker during film transfer. Here's my thought. Consider a projector that runs at 16 fps. That would mean that each frame is exposed for 1/16 of a second. If you were able to reduce the shutter speed on a DV camera to come close to this I would be willing to wager you would essentially eliminate flicker. I am aware of telecine machines with 5 blades and variable film speed capabilities, but these systems have limitations as well. There is ghosting effects, and the original motion speed of the film is altered as well (I also realize this is a much cheaper alternative). In the past I have borrowed a DV camera from a family member to try and transfer these films. I found through experimentation that running a shutter speed of 1/60 produced by far the best results. As a matter of fact it almost did the job. So, now as I start comparing new DV camcorders I see that there are models that are capable of slower shutter speeds of 1/8, 1/15/1/30. What it comes down to Nickdog, I was wondering if anyone had tried this before, and if so which camcorder did they use?

thanks,
Steve

16 mm transfer
 

Nickdog,
Sorry I forgot to mention that yes I will be videotaping off a projected image on a screen. I will be hooking my camcorder up to a monitor as I record. Finally, I still have a lot to learn, but I would like to use a 16:9 aspect ratio.

thanks again,
Steve

AFAIK, there is no prosumer camcorder that will sync at those frame rates. Some Sony high end cams like the TRV950 have a progressive mode that runs at 15 FPS or so, I believe. Some of the Canons and Panasonics have frame mode which runs at 30 FPS (pseudo-progressive). Of course, the Panasonic DVX100 shoots at 24 and 30 FPS progressive. Most of these cams also have anamorphic 16:9.

My DV953 has a low light mode that runs the shutter at 1/25 but the picture quality is inferior to other modes. It also has 1/8 shutter low light mode, but I wouldn't use it for what you want to do.

16 mm film transfer
 

Strongdotguy,
Thanks for the information. A couple of the canons, specifically the optura xi and GL2 state in their specifications shutter speeds as low as 1/8, 1/15, and 1/30. Am I misunderstanding something with these specifications? I am still on a sharp learning curve here. If these camcorders possess such capabilities am I incorrect in assuming that they will able to reduce flicker by reducing shutter speed? Any more info would help.

thanks,
Steve

I have seen several reports from Sony D8 owners that have used the special effect feature "Slow Shutter" on their D8 camcorders and were very pleased with their capture of movie film projected on a wall. That slow shutter special effect gives you a choice of 4 shutter speeds between 1/8th to 1/30th of a second and different people report different results. You just have to try all 4 shutter speeds to see which one looks best with your frame rate. I don't know if you can use the slow shutter special effect in 16 x 9 mode? But it wouldn't hurt to try and borrow or rent a D8 camcorder and try it out for yourself. Perhaps the MiniDV camcorders have the same feature?

Dave

16 mm film transfer
 

Dave,
It appears as though the new ones have these slower shutter speeds now. I am going to be buying a new camcorder anyway, so I'm just looking for any advice I can get. Thanks for the info, it helps a great deal.

Steve