Improving XL2 depth of field

[mr_goodbomb]

I've tried to get decent depth of field out of it, and it's ok... but not as great as some clips I've seen to demonstrate it's possibilities. Any ideas on how to improve on the flatness of some images?

[punkandska66]

35mm adapter?


Post Scriptum: If you zoom in a bit you get a shallower DOF.

[Brooksy]

Try to keep your Iris open as much as you can and punkandska66 is right, zooming in will shallow it up also.

[yugosaki]

have the actor stand far away from any background objects and either bring the camera in really close or zoom in. if there is nothing between your actor and far away objects, it will give the illusion of shallow DOF.

Edit: also, doesn't the XL2 have interchangeable lenses? perhaps you can get prime lenses or something that has a narrow depth of field naturally.

[michaelbak]

Watch this.

http://www.digitaljuice.com/djtv/detail.asp?sid=48

All the other Production Notes episodes are helpful as well as Field of View episodes.


Edit: Also, doesn't the XL2 have interchangeable lenses? perhaps you can get prime lenses or something that has a narrow depth of field naturally.

Yes, it does and he can use 35mm Canon EF lens with it but he has to buy a XL2 to EF adapter made by Canon that costs $700 direct. Then again a Letus or Redrock adapters are over $1,000 plus to get the same quality he would have to get an extra $800 relay so it is cheap considering the other options.

[TiE_Shepherd]

Yes, it does and he can use 35mm Canon EF lens with it but he has to buy a XL2 to EF adapter made by Canon that costs $700 direct.

Actually, the XL/EF adapter is about 400 or so. One thing to consider when using one of these with EF lenses, is the difference in sensor/frame size. You get about a 1.9 magnification, so a 50mm lens will act like 95mm lens.