Blackmagic Forum

Hi,

I wondered if anyone has tried match moving / camera tracking for VFX with the BMCC 2.5K?

I am wondering how much of an issue rolling shutter is for VFX work? I understand with some of the more costly cameras such as RED, the read out time from the sensor is quicker and there is less rolling shutter effect. Or would the BMCC 2.5k simply not be the camera to use with shoots that involved match moving?

Thanks for any advice,
Jules

P.S. I do have the BMCC 2.5K and BMMC4K on pre-order. Of course the jury is still out on the BMMC4K as there no test footage yet.

It's really going to depend on the speed of the move really. If you're doing VFX work, I think the higher resolution and global shutter would be more important that the 1 stop DR. However, it really does depend on many specific factors on the type of VFX work you want to do with the footage.

sean mclennan wrote:It's really going to depend on the speed of the move really.

My thinking even medium speed pan movements will be a problem, where as the same movement on the RED wouldn't be a problem. That's why I'm thinking BMCC 2.5K may not be the camera to use for any VFX match moving tracking work, but I guess no one;s tried it yet for this kind of work?

Also have BMD reduced the rolling shutter in their firmware updates or is that not possible?

Jules

From what I've seen, the rolling shutter has remained the same on all versions of the firmware. Pretty much the same as the Canon 5D.

Yes it's really the same as any dslr. No firmware update can change that as far as I know. I work with vfx all the time and I was really sad when they announced global shutter for this summer... But if you have been shooting with dslrs in the last few years, you know that matchmoving can be done, you need tonplan your shots, work with a steadycam.

Many films have been shot with rolling shutters, and my analysis is that they film with minimal motion (as you would do for any matchmoving) and apply a post shake to your shot at the end.

The Foundry also has a rolling shutter removal plugin, but a ruined shot is a ruined shot. If you can afford the wait and the price for the 4k camera (you know what I mean with waiting... Right?).

Having said that, we're starting to shoot a zombie movie a the end of summer with a bmcc and I think the only shot that will not be matchmoved is the ending credit. It can be done (like dslr) and I really love my bmcc.

Eric Mc Guire wrote:The Foundry also has a rolling shutter removal plugin, but a ruined shot is a ruined shot. If you can afford the wait and the price for the 4k camera (you know what I mean with waiting... Right?).

CS6 AE seems to have a decent RS post solution. Post takes time, however, the BMCC 13 stops DR and BMPC is said to be around 12 stops. Pros and cons for both cams, although we'll know more about the BMPC and GS in the coming months.



Based on Matthew Bennett's example above, CS6 RS correction is a lot better than C5.5 when I had tried.

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I think I get it now. Running around hand held shooting action sequences is definitely a no no with BMCC 2.5K (or any rolling shutter camera) unless going for a ruined shot.

No known plans on improve rolling shutter on BMCC 2.5K

For quick pans (on a tripod), or I guess any movement in one direction, rolling shutter can be corrected in post.

BMCC4K looks more tempting for me at this moment, along as BMD will be them shipping from July as stated!


Thanks,
Jules

In my opinion, Pan shots (or any linear movements) can be more easily corrected in post, it's the runnning and pointing your camera in all direction that might be very hard to fix.

A steadycam system can minimize unwanted rolling shutter artifacts and will surely help with matchmoving.