Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve?

Get answers to your questions about color grading, editing and finishing with DaVinci Resolve.
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Jack OGara

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Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve?

PostMon Feb 16, 2015 12:59 pm

I want to make my colour correction a bit better when doing video editing.

Been told using tools like the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport are great to make this a bit faster.

Is this true? Do they make colour better in post?

If so, do cheaper ones also work?
I have seen the CameraTrax 24 on Amazon for £12.
Wont be as good as the xRite but better than nothing?

Thanks all!
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David Green

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostMon Feb 16, 2015 4:38 pm

Using a color checker card is a quick way to get a neutral grade.
See page 497 in the Resolve Manual June 2014 PDF.
Also search the forums here as this has been discussed before.

The color card has to be one of the supported cards, or compatible with their layout, in order to have the Resolve color match overlay and color chip placement match up.

The CameraTrax 24 looks like the same layout as the X-Rite, so it should work, but I have not tried a CameraTrax.
I couldn't find anything on the CameraTrax website about the card's design process, so the only thing I would be careful of is color chip fading and tinting. Don't leave the card out in the sun etc.
David R. Green - Demenzun Media Inc. - Author Composer Filmmaker Programmer
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostMon Feb 16, 2015 8:34 pm

Thanks for the info.

The values are not the same on the specsheet. Is the xRite a XML config or something that I copy and paste so I can make one for this card?

Ty
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Peter Chamberlain

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 17, 2015 1:05 am

The specs are very specific..you have to use one of the charts Resolve supports. Their is no shortcut.
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Peter_r

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 17, 2015 11:35 pm

The passport is pretty cheap really, just go without a coke and snacks a few days a week for a while and pick one up :) . It is well worth it.
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostWed Feb 18, 2015 11:02 am

As a Uni student that is like a month of food and drink :p

But yea, going to save up for it.
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSat Feb 21, 2015 11:38 pm

OMFG this thing is amazing!
Image

I know I would not use that grade as a final but getting that starting point with 3 clicks is awesome.. So worth it when filming sLog2 and being new to colour.

I think the next tool is a monitor calibrator!
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Marc Wielage

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 5:15 am

Jack OGara wrote:OMFG this thing is amazing!p/quote]
You're far better off shooting the chart straight-on to camera and filling the screen as much as possible. Making it small in the frame is not a wise idea. Put it right where the actors' faces are in terms of the general lighting scheme, and make sure they pull any colored gels in the lights.

I think the next tool is a monitor calibrator!

Actually, that should always be your first tool (IMHO). Without that, all is lost.
marc wielage, csi • VP/color & workflow • chroma | hollywood
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 11:43 am

Marc Wielage wrote:
Jack OGara wrote:OMFG this thing is amazing!p/quote]
You're far better off shooting the chart straight-on to camera and filling the screen as much as possible. Making it small in the frame is not a wise idea. Put it right where the actors' faces are in terms of the general lighting scheme, and make sure they pull any colored gels in the lights.

I think the next tool is a monitor calibrator!

Actually, that should always be your first tool (IMHO). Without that, all is lost.


They are close enough for the work I do even though it can be hit and miss.
At the moment I check via multiple monitors in different lighting situations to see if it is okay.
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waltervolpatto

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 4:19 pm

If you want to learn how to color get a proper calibrated monitor and forget the chart.

Learn how camera capture light and how the data is written in the file, and which math is required to make it shine.

That is learn. The rest is a monkey autobutton.
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 5:45 pm

waltervolpatto wrote:If you want to learn how to color get a proper calibrated monitor and forget the chart.

Learn how camera capture light and how the data is written in the file, and which math is required to make it shine.

That is learn. The rest is a monkey autobutton.


I think I have a good idea of how it works. Having an IT background with media helps I guess.

Might have just got hold of a calibrator from a mate so will try to get that done soon.
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Jules Bushell

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 6:33 pm

Jack OGara wrote:
waltervolpatto wrote:If you want to learn how to color get a proper calibrated monitor and forget the chart.

Learn how camera capture light and how the data is written in the file, and which math is required to make it shine.

That is learn. The rest is a monkey autobutton.


I think I have a good idea of how it works. Having an IT background with media helps I guess.

Might have just got hold of a calibrator from a mate so will try to get that done soon.

I used to think that and boy was I wrong. I guess each person must go through their own mistakes. But seriously, broadcast monitor (SDI) is the way.

Jules
Jules Bushell
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Lee Gauthier

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostSun Feb 22, 2015 11:07 pm

Monkey Autobutton will be the name of my next rock band.
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Marc Wielage

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostMon Feb 23, 2015 1:18 am

Lee Gauthier wrote:Monkey Autobutton will be the name of my next rock band.

I wish we had a "like" button -- I'd give you one for that! :D
marc wielage, csi • VP/color & workflow • chroma | hollywood
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JPOwens

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostMon Feb 23, 2015 8:09 pm

Marc Wielage wrote:I wish we had a "like" button

Plus One.

My wife and I coordinated Impressionist costumes one Hallowe'en, where I got my face painted as the vanGogh "self-portrait" http://www.wikiart.org/en/vincent-van-g ... h-felt-hat (bandaged ear) and I made a "Carnevale" style mask based on Edvard Munch's famous painting for her -- we went as "Vincent & the Scream" which sounds like a good rock combo name as well -- progrock, I think... but the pairing was a good one and summed up the year for us.

So perhaps a music festival sounds like a good idea, incorporating all these visual-media ideas. The music shouldn't be all that difficult to come up with. I hear all you have to do is push the "auto-hit" button and 2 minutes and 48 seconds of pop paradise appears in your iTunes folder. But remember, having no talent is not enough. Prizes for anyone who can identify the author of that phrase. In less than .000025 seconds.

jPo
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Marc Wielage

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 12:44 am

Gore Vidal. What do I win?

Image
marc wielage, csi • VP/color & workflow • chroma | hollywood
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Peter_r

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 12:50 am

Jack, if you are in Australia (just going by the books on your shelf) let me know and I can loan you some calibration tools.
Working without a calibrated screen is next to pointless.
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 2:25 am

Peter_r wrote:Jack, if you are in Australia (just going by the books on your shelf) let me know and I can loan you some calibration tools.
Working without a calibrated screen is next to pointless.


I am in the UK :p

Thanks for the offer though! Not many people would do that.
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waltervolpatto

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 3:32 am

Lee Gauthier wrote:Monkey Autobutton will be the name of my next rock band.


Plus one on that one! (The band. ..)
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Peter_r

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 6:06 am

Jack OGara wrote:OMFG this thing is amazing!
Image

I know I would not use that grade as a final but getting that starting point with 3 clicks is awesome.. So worth it when filming sLog2 and being new to colour.

I think the next tool is a monitor calibrator!


Yes it is pretty cool, but keep an eye on the results, your highlights are blown out in the sample you posted here.
It is damn helpful if people have included a colour card in shots when receiving raw footage, even if it does only get you to a neutral grade. I do wish more people included them on their footage though.
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Jack OGara

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Re: Cheap "ColorCard" "ColorChecker" for useing with Resolve

PostTue Feb 24, 2015 4:18 pm

Peter_r wrote:
Yes it is pretty cool, but keep an eye on the results, your highlights are blown out in the sample you posted here.
It is damn helpful if people have included a colour card in shots when receiving raw footage, even if it does only get you to a neutral grade. I do wish more people included them on their footage though.


I shot 2 stops over as I use the A7s. It didn't clip and after playing with the gain S curve it it fine :)

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