Noise, please do not CC in RC/RL...

[Gunleik Groven]

Guys

Just a thought here.
Some people are having noise issues, others seem to do fine.

I'm NOT saying noise in the blue channel is not an issue, BUT do some tests.

Do this test:
Try to resist the urge to CC in RC/RA. (I know it's hard) Instead, try to push out images with high DR and matched WB with low compression. Use the histogram more than your eyes in this process, and do NOT crush the blacks in this initial step. I know it's tempting, but try to resist. (Just for the experiment...) Think of the RC/RA step more as packing data into higher precission areas of the file - and there's more precission in the higher bits/closer to white.

This means: If noise is a problem, LOWER exposure/ASA (I know this seems counterintuitive...) and lift/spread ALL the data with brightness/contrast/curves, mostly above the lower bits.

The images you get will look rather dull, but it's worth it.

Then take THAT file into CC.

Do not CC ProRes proxies directly in FCP, if low noise is of importance...

Export with "full" settings from RC/RA

Just an idea...

If I'm off, just please tell me.

Cheers!

Gunleik

 

[dino g]

In our experience, The lowest noise will be when the white balance is set to 5600, the asa is 320, the shutter is at 180 degrees, the project frame rate is 23.98, and the aperture is exposed according to a properly calibrated light meter, or zebras are set to 80% and there is very little to no zebras present.

 

[Matthew Greene]

I just use an 80 filter on the cam when shooting with tungsten or CTB the lights in mixed lighting. I find that even if I end up underexposing, the noise is less intrusive than shooting unfiltered. I like the noise signature better when balanced to 6000K-6200K

 

[Petros Nousias]

Is there a lot of noise introduced if you go from 1/50 to 1/25 shutter?

 

[Barry Green]

Using a slower shutter should decrease the appearance of noise, as any noise that's occuring should be blurred together more.

 

[Matthew Greene]

No noise introduced as far as I can tell. I want to clarify that a lot of this is just nit picking, I consider the camera to be really freaking clean at 5500K-6500K. It's only when you're shooting with 2000K color balanced lights and wanted to make that white light in post when I think you should be concerned.

My major tip is treat it like you would film. Correct for color temperature optically (light sources and cameras) as much as you can to get the look you want. Noise shouldn't be of concern if you can afford to shoot it right.