Panavision HD900F Operating Instructions

DIGITALCINEMATOGRAPHY

CAMERA SYSTEM

HD900FOPERATIONMANUAL

ULTRAPRECISION EQUIPMENTFORTHEMOTIONPICTUREINDUSTRY

writtenby

EricErb

Andrew Young

design,photos,andlayout

EricErb

Andrew Young

2

photographswereshotusingtheKodakPreview System withPrimolenses

HD900FOPERATIONMANUAL

COPYRIGHT2002

VERSION2.1.2

4/2002

INTRODUCTION

In 1997,Panavision and Sony announced their
collaboration on the developmentofa24P digitalhigh
definition camerasuitable foruse by filmmakers to
create big screen motion picture image quality. We
knew,from 45 years ofexperience,thata complete
imaging system approach was the only way for
traditionalfilm crewstomakeaseamlesstransitioninto
digitalproduction.Withthisinmind,wemadeanumber
ofmodificationstotheSonyHDW-F90024Pcamera.For
starters,the Panavised camera received aheavy duty
frontplate and lensmountmodified to work with our
speciallydesignedPrimoDigitalTMlenses.Thesystem now
accommodates mostofourstandard film camera
accessories as wellas new accessories designed
exclusivelyfordigitalcinematography.

In addition to the mechanicalmodificationsto the
camera,auniqueopticalpre-filtergivesyoubettercolor
matching with film emulsionsand enhanced resolution
forblue screen effectscinematography. Last,butnot

least,wedesigned the new ULTRAVIEWviewfinderfor
studio and handheld cine-style use. Itpresentsa 2
timeslargerimagealongwithagreaterdiopterrange.

HD900F

INTRODUCTION

Panavision iscommitted to continuouslydeveloping our
DigitalImaging system in close collaboration with our
clients,justaswehavedonewithourfilm systemsover
thelast45years.Now yourHD projectwillbenefitfrom
the same dedication to customerservice and superior
imagequalitythatisthehallmarkofPanavision.

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

SECTION 1.0 GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

1.1 CAMERASPECIFICATIONS

1.2 CONNECTORSPECIFICATIONS

1.3 FRAMERATESAND SHUTTERSPEEDS

1.4 CAMERAWEIGHTS

1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS

1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS

1.7 FRONTANDREARCAMERAVIEWS

1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE

1.9 GENERALIMAGINGCONSIDERATIONS

SECTION 2.0 PACKING AND SHIPPING

2.1 CAMERABODYCASE

2.2 ACCESSORYCASE

SECTION 3.0 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSES

3.1 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSDESIGN

3.2 FILM /HDCOMPARATIVERESOLUTION

3.3 ASPHERICALAND FISHEYEATTACHMENTS

3.4 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSEXTENDERS

3.5 SETTING BACKFOCUS

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SECTION 4.0 CAMERAASSEMBLY

4.1 FRONTFACEPLATEANDFOLLOW FOCUS

4.2 VIEWFINDER

4.3 ON-BOARDMONITORAND BRACKET

4.4 LENSLIGHT

4.5 VOLTAGEUPCONVERTER

4.6 CARRYHANDLE

4.7 SIDEPANELCONNECTORS

4.8 MIRANDADOWNCONVERTER

4.9 REARPANELCONNECTORS

4.10 HDSDIADAPTER

4.11 ON-BOARDBATTERY

TABLEOFCONTENTS

SECTION 5.0 CAMERAOPERATION

5.1 HDCAM CASSETTE

5.2 VTRCONTROLS

5.3 VIEWFINDERCONTROLS

5.4 REMOTECONTROL

5.5 FILTERWHEELS

5.6 MEMORYSTICK

5.7 TIMECODE

5.7.1 TIMECODESWITCHESAND BUTTONS

5.7.2 USING TIMECODE

5.8 MAIN CAMERASWITCHES

5.9 MENUS

5.9.1 OPERATIONMENU

5.9.2 PAINTMENU

5.9.3 SETTINGTHEFRAMERATE

5.10 VIEWFINDERFRAMELINEMARKINGS

5.10.1 TV16X9TRANS&4X3TRANS/SAFE

5.10.2 TV16X9TRANS&1.85THEATRICAL

5.10.3 TV16X9TRANS&2.40THEATRICAL

5.11 PREPROUTINE

5.12 A.C.PRE-ROLLCHECKLIST

5.13 PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

5.14 TROUBLESHOOTING

5.15 SMARTLENS

5.16 METADATA

HD900F

TABLEOFCONTENTS

SECTION 6.0 MONITORS

6.1 MONITORS

6.2 9"HDSDIMONITOR

6.3 14"HDSDIMONITOR

6.4 24"HDSDIMONITOR

6.4.1 24"MONITORCALIBRATION

6.4.2 24"MONITORFRAMELINESETTINGS

6.5 HD SDIWAVEFORM MONITOR

SECTION 7.0 INDEX

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1.0 GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

1.0

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1.1 CAMERASPECIFICATIONS

Imager RGB 2/3"CCDs

EffectivePixels 1920(H)x1080(V)each

2.1millionpixelseach,foratotalof6.3
.378"x.212"

Power 12vDC (range11-17v)

Built-inFilters

NDFilters CCFilters
1: Clear B: 3200K
2: .6-(2Stops) C: 4300K
3: 1.2-(4Stops) D: 6300K
4: 1.8-(6Stops)

LensMount PanavisionHD Mount(proprietary)

Baseplate PanavisionDovetailwith5/8"rods

Steadicam®Plates Bottom DovetailPlateforRegularMode

TopHandlePlateforLow Mode

Sensitivity Minimum ISO 320tungsten

CassetteTape HDCAM:BCT-22HD,BCT-32HD,orBCT-40HD

RunningTimes 22min.@ 30fps or 27.5min.@ 24fps

32min.@ 30fps or 40.0min@ 24fps
40min.@ 30fps or 50.0min.@ 24fps

AudioQuality 20bit,48kHzDigital(upto4channels)

PresetStorage SonyMemoryStick

Eyepiece PanavisionUltraview®-2modes:Extension

andIntermediate/Hand-held

SMARTLENS™ Highresolutiondigitalencoderstorecord
Compatibility T-stop,focus,andzoom positions

Recordableupto16channelsonto
Audiochannels3and4onHD SDIadapter

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1.2 CONNECTORSPECIFICATIONS

DCIn XLR,4pinmale 11-17v

Pin1–ground(-)
Pin4–positive(+)

DCout Hirose,12VDC,4pin (2Amax)

HD900F

REM Lemo,10pin1B

Pin1-VTRStart/Stop
Pin6-Ground

VTR,shutter,menucontrols(HDRP)

AudioIn 2Channels–XLR,3pinfemale

Pin1–Ground

2–Input(hi)

3–Input(low)
2additionalchannelswithHDSDIadapter
(HDCAA)

MicIn 1Channel–XLR,3pinfemale(+48v)

Pin1–Ground

2–Input(hi)
3–Input(low)

AudioOut 2Channelon1–XLR,5pinmale(E-E)

Pin1–AnalogGround

2–Ch.1Audio
3–Ch.1Ground
4–Ch.2Audio

5–Ch.2Ground
2additionalchannelswithHDSDIadapter
(HDCAA)

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

1.1/2 GENERAL&CONNECTORSPECS

GenlockIn BNC

GenlockOut BNC(usinganalogYchannel)

TimecodeIn BNC

TimecodeOut BNC

VideoOut Y,Pb,PrAnalog

HDSDI(withHDCAadapter)

RemoteControl Hirose(special)–8pin

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1.3 FRAMERATESAND SHUTTERSPEEDS

FrameRates(MAINTENANCEMENUpage:M7)

Progressive Interlace

23.98PsF 50i
24PsF 59.94i
25PsF 60i

29.97PsF
30PsF

ShutterAngles(PAINT MENU page:P12 orwith the Remote
Control)

SHUTTERSPEED EQUIV.SHUTTERANGLE

ShutterOFF= 1/24sec 360.00degree

1/32 270.00
1/48 180.00
1/96 90.00
1/125 69.12
1/250 34.56
1/500 17.28
1/1000 8.64

ECS- ExtendedClearScan 24Hz-2200Hz@ 24fps

Usedto setintermediate shutterspeedsand /orshoot
practicalmonitors.

Theequivalentshutterangle,forafilm camera,isfoundbythe
followingformula: 360*fps/Hz= shutterangle.

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1.4CAMERAWEIGHTS

Body(withoutSDI) HD900F 14.9lbs.

Body(WithSDI) HD900F,HDCA 17.2

SDIAdapter HDCA 2.3

ExtensionEyepiece HDET,HDEP 4.8

Intermediate/HHEyepiece HDEP 3.6

Follow Focusw/1Knob HDFB,HDFD,MFF 1.9

HandHeldRig HDHR 2.4

Clip-onMattebox MBPC 1.0

TopSteadicam®Plate HDLM 0.5

Bottom Steadicam

VoltageUpconverterw/cable HDUC 0.9

AntonBauerBattery AB100 5.4

LENSES

®

Plate HDSP 1.2

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

PrimoDigitalTM5mm PrimeLens SD5 3.0

PrimoDigitalTM7mm PrimeLens SD7 3.2

PrimoDigitalTM10mm PrimeLens SD10 3.7

PrimoDigitalTM14mm PrimeLens SD14 2.8

PrimoDigital™ 20mm PrimeLens SD20 3.6

PrimoDigital™ 35mm PrimeLens SD35 2.9

PrimoDigitalTM6-27mm w/Motor SDZW 8.0

PrimoDigitalTM25-112mm w/Motor SDZT 7.0

PrimoDigitalTM9.5-105mm w/Motor SLZ11D 23.0

PrimoDigitalTM8-72mm w/Motor SDZ9 8.6

1.4XExtenderforPrimoDigital™ Zoom 1.4XSD 0.7

2XExtenderforPrimoDigital™ Zoom 2XSD 0.9

DoubleAsphereAttachmentfor5mm CDA 1.2

WideAngleFisheyeAdapterfor7mm WFA 1.4

HandHeldConfiguration: 29.3

(HandHeldViewfinder,SDI,HDUC,Follow

Focusw/1Knob,HDHR,MBPC,Remote–

NoLens)

1.3/4FRAMERATES&CAMERAWEIGHTS

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1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

13

1.5 CAMERAMEASUREMENTS

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1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

15

1.6 SIDECAMERAVIEWS

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1.7 FRONTAND REARCAMERAVIEWS

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

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1.7FRONTAND REARCAMERAVIEWS

StaticInterlaced
Imageconsistsoftwo
fields

Field1(oddlines
1,3,5,etc.)

Field2(evenlines
2,4,6,etc.)

Movingimageappearsto
theeyeasablurred,bro­kenedge

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60 field to 24 frame
conversionrequiresthe
m ixing of 3 fields
resulting in additional
motionblur

1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE

The24PHD ElectronicCinematographyCameraSystem
is a PROGRESSIVE capture deviceunlike oldervideo
cameras thatcapture the image in an INTERLACE
manner.

INTERLACE: A videoscanningsystem wheretheodd

numbered linesare scanned separately
from theevennumberedlines.Theodd
numberedlinesform fieldone,theeven
lines make up the second field. The
combinationoftwofieldscomprisesone
frame.

PROGRESSIVE: A video system in which alllines

comprising aframe are scanned in
sequenceratherthaninterlaced.

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

The interlace mode ofcapture hasinherentmotion
artifactsand is difficultto transferto film. The
progressive mode ofshooting capturesthe complete
resolution atonce,atthe same pointin time;and
thereforeallowsaperfectone-to-onetransfertofilm.

1.8 PROGRESSIVEVS.INTERLACE

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1.9 GENERALIMAGING CONSIDERATIONS

TheHD900Fhasawiderangeofmenusettingsthatallow theusertocontrolthe
lookofthepicture.Thesesettingscanbeapowerfultooltochangeormodifythe
captured image.Mostcomponentsofthe video signalcan be manipulated.
Levels,saturation,gammaand matrixwillhaveamajorinfluenceoverthefinal
videooutput,beitforTVorfilm.

Whilethereisnorightorwrongwayto approachhow thecameraisused,you

shouldbe awareofthe consequencesofemployingcertainmenufunctions.We
do notdeterminewho willmake adjustmentsorwhen these functionswillbe
employed,butinmostcases,theyaremadeatthebehestoftheDP.Whilethese
featuresmayprove usefulforshowsthatarevideo outonly(TV),ifmisused,
theycanhaveirreversibleconsequencesonafilm-outshow (feature).Judicious
use ofthese featurescan prove beneficial.However,minimum manipulation of
theimagethatwillresultin a cleancameramasterisdesirable.Itisbetterto
leavethe decisiontoalterthe imageforthelessstressfulenvironmentofthe
postproductionsuite. Postproductiontoolsofferthe ability tomanipulatethe

imagetoamuchhigherdegreethanthecameraallows.Thefollowinglistisnot
inclusiveofeverymenufunction,butprovidesabriefexplanationofwhycertain
precautionsshouldbeheeded.

Detail:Thedetailfunction willprovideartificialenhancementtothevideoimage
particularly around the edge ofan object.Thisfeature,like severalothers,is
incorporated into the camera forlive TV broadcastproductions. Historically,

detailcircuitswere used to compensate forlimitationsofopticsorelectronics.
While this isusefulforTV applications,employing detailforafilm output
productionwillputunnaturaledgingaroundthesubject.Inaddition,useofdetail
willmakethequalityofCGIormattesverypoorsincethematteprocesstriesto
avoidanyappearanceofedges.

DCC:DCCisDynamicContrastControlorautoknee.Itisaccessible througha
toggle switch on the camera body.Itisusedduring newsordocumentary
situationswhere thereis little ornocontroloflighting andcontrastratios.If

thereisa brightobjectin the scenethatisover100% whitelevel,DCC will
automaticallypulltheleveldown(compress)sothehighlightwillnot"blow out".
Forascriptedproject,itcanbeseenthatautomaticcorrectionofhighlightscould
addundesirableelementstothesceneasthecameramovesorpansthroughout
the scene.While controlofthehighlights isnecessary,itisbestto use the
manualkneeandslopefunctionstoachievethedesiredresult.

BlackGamma:Thiscircuitallowsforstretchorcompression ofthe toe (black)
portion ofthevideo signal.Thiscan be usedtoaffectthecontrastin the dark
areasofthepicturewhile notchangingthemid-tonesorhighlights.Since this

portionofthesignalcontainsthehighestamountofgain,itisclosesttothenoise
floor.Consequently,expandingthesignalwillalsointroducemorenoiseintothe
picture.Thismaynotalwaysbeadesiredadditiontothefinallook.Forafilm-out
project,testingisprudent.

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1.9 GENERALIMAGING CONSIDERATIONS

Matrix:Thematrixisaseriesofmathematicalcalculationsthatareappliedto
thecoloroutputofthecamera.Itspurposeistomatchthecolorspaceofthe
cameratothefinaldisplaydevice.Itissimilartocertainequalizationcurves
thatareemployedin therecordingindustry to ensure thattheplayback
system willreproduce the originalrecordingfaithfully.In the video world,
matrixisused toprovideasetof equationsthatrelateto thereproducing
characteristicsofvarioussetsofphosphorsthatareusedinTVpicturetubes.
Thisfunction(likeothersonthecamera)hasrootsintheearlydaysofcolor
television when technology and economicsdetermined thatsome circuits
would be placed in thecameraandothersin the receiver.Aswith detail,
matrixcanproveusefulforabroadcastorvideoonlyproduction.Useofthe
matrixforafilm-outproductioniscautionedsincethefilm-outdevicewillnot
beabletorecreatethepropercolorspacefrom thecameratomatchthefilm
emulsion(theequationisnolongervalid).Ifcolormanipulationisdesired,it
isrecommended thatone shootatestusing thematrix to createthe
appropriatelook.Thistestcanbeusedasaguideforthefacilitythatwillbe
doingthefilm-out.

Useofthecamerainthe presetmodeswillproduce perfectly good images
thatcan bemanipulated witha much higherdegree ofcontrolin the post
environment. Inshort,youdonotneedtohaveacomprehensiveknowledge
ofthe paintmenu to producea good image. Again,there isnorightor
wrongway,butthismanualaddressesthosefeaturesthatarenecessaryfor
acameraassistanttomaster.

HD900F

GENERALSPECIFICATIONS

Duetoinherentdifferencesin imagingcharacteristicsbetweena CCD,a
monitor,and the human eye,certain translationsare necessary. The
Gamma andMatrix settingsinterpretthe CCD imageso thatthemonitor
imagewillapproximatetheactualsubject.

Gamma should alwaysbe turned ON and setto COARSE 0.45,TABLE
STANDARD 5. Thisreferences the ITU REC 709 standard.Thisgamma
correction isespeciallyimportantforvideo output,andcan be manipulated
forfilm output,andsoshouldbeleftonallthetime.(seesec5.9.2)

1.9 GENERALIMAGINGCONSIDERATIONS

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1.9 GENERALIMAGING CONSIDERATIONS

Shooting24PforFilm output:

Since the HD monitoris much closerto thefinalvideo image,butonly an
approximation ofthe film image,there are some recommendationsin orderto
maximizequalityoffinalfilm output:

-GAMMAON asabove

-MATRIXOFF

-GAINsetto6dBorless,toavoidaddingexcessivenoisetofinalimage.

-Uselessdiffusion.Considerusingafilterof1/2thevalueusedwithfilm negative.

-DETAILOFF Thisisespeciallyimportantbecauseitwilldegradethefilm output.

Wecautionagainstusingpaintmenusforimagemanipulation iffinishing on film
because the monitorimage and painteffectsdo notdirectlycorrelatetothe film
image,andtheyareusuallyirreversible.

Shooting24PforVideooutput:
(Nofuturefilm-outforeseenorplanned)

When shooting forvideo finish,the HD monitoris in effectyourfinalimage.
Therefore adjustmentscan be madein thecamera withmoreconfidence in the
intendedresults.Standardrecommendedsettingsare:

-GAMMAON asabove

-MATRIXON,PRESETON,ITU-709

-USERMATRIXOFF

-MULTI-MATRIXOFF

- GAINsetto6dBorless.

Allthepaintadjustmentscanbesetforcreativeeffect,buttheusermustbeaware
thatmany settingscannotbe undonein post. Ontheotherhand,ifthecamera
imageisrecordedclean,manypowerfulcreativemanipulationsareavailableinthe
colorcorrectionstage.

NOTE: TheMATRIX mustbeOFFforblueorgreen screenshotsbecauseitmay

NOTE: TorestorethepaintmenustotheirPanavisiondefaultsettings,recallthe

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createundesirableartifacts.

STANDARDfileonmenupageP13,byclickingonittwice.

2.0 PACKING ANDSHIPPING

HD900F

PACKING AND SHIPPING

2.0

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2.1 CAMERABODYCASE

The HD900Fcamerasystem iscomprisedof2 cases,one
containing the camera bodyand the othercontaining the
camera accessories. The camera isstored withoutthe
eyepieceattached.

HD900F

Includedwiththecameraisan AC to DC powerconverter
(HDPS)with 224V DC and 2 12V DC outputsforcamera
andaccessorypower.

CASECONTENTS:

HD900F CameraHD900F
HDEP HD Ultraview Viewfinder
HDET HD ExtensionTube
HDVP HDViewfinderPivot
HDCAorHDCAA HDSDICam Adapter

(dataoraudio)
HDRP HDRemoteControlPanel
HDPCM HDCameraMount
ABSU orABGM ABSonyUpconverter

/GoldmountBatteryAdapter
HDPS HD 24/12DCPowerSupply
CBLE-IECNA IEC/N.AmericaMainsPlug
CBLE-12P(2) 12VPowerCable(XLR4)

PACKING AND SHIPPING

2.1 CAMERABODYCASE

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2.2 ACCESSORYCASE

The accessorycaseholdsa4x5 swing awaymatte boxwith
mattes,sunshade,follow focus and knobs,Panavision
Steadicam
focusbracket,andsiderodadapter.

Clip-onpolarizermatteboxisoptional.

CASECONTENTS:

MFFGB ModularFollow FocusGearBox
MFFSK(2) ModularFollow FocusSingleSpeedKnob
MFFEX ModularFollow FocusExtension
FXHL OffsetHandle
FFX Follow FocusExtension12"
EPL-M EyepieceLeveler-Millennium
PLL PanaflexLensLight
HDLM HDLow-ModeBracket
HDSP HDSteadicam
HDRB HDRodBracket
CBLE-ZLP(2) Zoom LensPowerCable
IRISROD Pairof10"Irisrods



plates,eyepieceleveler,lenslight,whip,follow



Plate

HD900F

PACKING AND SHIPPING

27

2.2 ACCESSORYCASE

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3.0 PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSES

HD900F

PRIMO DIGITAL™ LENSES

3.0

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