CINE mode on camcorder. Does it look good?

[rallymax]

I'm in the market for a <USD$1000 camcorder and would like 1080p but would REALLY like to have a good film look in the image.
Canon has a "CINE" mode that changes the gamma/saturation/contrast etc to give a more saturated soft film look. What does anyone think of it?

They also have the option of 24p vs 60i. I don't want to shoot stuff that's moving that much but the AVCHD 1080i camera I've used in the past does have nasty interlacing so I'd like to reduce that.
Does 24p mode look better?

or should I step up to a true 1080p camera?

All my research suggests that AVCHD 1080p is better picture quality than HDV even if it makes the workflow harder so I think AVCHD is a winner right now.

thanks for insights,

E.

[guns1inger]

Personally, I would not want any camera doing that much post processing for me. I like to have some control over how my footage looks, so I do all colour correction etc. in post.

[minidv2dvd]

you've got it a bit backwards. the hv30 cine mode gets rid of the oversaturated "consumer" cam looking video.

The camcorder also offers a "Cine" mode that shifts the gamma curve to emulate a pro camcorder. To be specific, the Cine mode on the HV30 matches the Canon XL A1's Cine V mode (Custom Preset #8). When in this setting, you'll see more variance in the mid-tones and flattened shadows.

i use cine all the time along with shooting in 30p, not 24p. gives me a good source for both net video and dvd spec, without the hassle and slight jerkiness of their 24p encoded as 60i.

[Soopafresh]

Film look comes from short depth of field, color grading, grain, and steady shots - the most important being short depth of field. Most consumer cameras (including the HV30 - which I own) won't give you these things, in particular the blurred backgrounds. Even when their marketing literature says "And with 24p mode for that film look" it's BS. Seriously. Frame rate and some color settings won't do it.

If you really want something that comes closer to the elusive film, check out the $1500 Panasonic GH1 . Splurge and get exactly what you want and you'll always justify the additional cost.

http://vimeo.com/5448275

Here's another clip of short depth of field, but the shooter's shaky hands shatters the illusion that you're watching film. That's why steady shots are mandatory.

http://vimeo.com/groups/gh1/videos/5481513

[rallymax]

Thanks Soopafresh. That is exactly the insight I was after. Much appreciated.

[rallymax]

you've got it a bit backwards. the hv30 cine mode gets rid of the oversaturated "consumer" cam looking video.

i use cine all the time along with shooting in 30p, not 24p. gives me a good source for both net video and dvd spec, without the hassle and slight jerkiness of their 24p encoded as 60i.

Thanks for the insight. Sorry I mixed up sat and de-sat.
I'm primarily concerned about the default look of consumer camcorders blowing out the picture. I'm happy to color correct in post but I want to make sure I'm capturing as best detail as possible.
Do you think I'm simply better off using CINE 30p or should I use some other default mode and force it to be slightly underexposed to stop the blowouts?

thanks for insight.

[zoobie]

uh...have you considered just buying a 35mm movie camera?
I'm sure there are whole forums dedicated to faking film effects
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic370099.html