24p and Cinemode post-production effects

[rkn]

Hi, I'd like to shoot in 24p and I really like the look of Cinemode with the color correction as well as a reduced depth of field effect.

Unfortunately, I've heard it said multiple times by many editors NOT to use in-camera effects.

So while I'm going to stick with shooting 24p, I want to know if the effects from Cinemode can be replicated with Final Cut Pro (or alternate software?). Since Cinemode is a software effect in the camera (none of the hardware is changing), I will assume so, but what are these effects called? I'm aware of color correction in post, but I've never seen anything actually affect the depth of field and am curious what software does this.

Is a post-prod house going to be angry with me for making their work difficult by using Cinemode, or is it not a big deal?

[Mal]

It is true that if you have the time (and rendering capacity) that you'd want the cleanest image recorded and then do all in post.
However, I am not sure what you mean with the DOF effect. I have not heard that that was done in cam electronically; you're best to use a good 35mm adapter & lens for that.

[rkn]

When I compare the images between using Cinemode and non-Cinemode, it appears to lose some depth of field. Maybe this is the color correction at work, but I could swear there is the look of a reduced DOF going on.

I guess I already know the answer is "don't use Cinemode" for a professional production, but I'm just curious how to replicate the effects in Final Cut Pro.

[24Peter]

I don't use FCP but I have done tests between CineMode and 24p TV mode adjusting the custom settings on the HV20.

CineMode does indeed seem to add something beyond what can be achieved by applying the custom settings (brightness/contrast/color depth/sharpness). I wouldn't say CineMode affects DOF per se; rather it seems to apply some type of softening to the entire image, more than reducing the sharpness in the custom settings to -1. It also apparently changes the gamma so now the entire image is more "grey" (to see what I mean connect your camera to a HDTV and switch back on forth between CineMode and regular 24p).

Anyway, you can both adjust gamma and soften the image in FCP and perhaps mimic CineMode that way (though for me I like Tv mode 24p and brightness, contrast set to -1, colordepth set to 0 or -1 and sharpness set to 0 on the HV20.) You are correct in saying that most digital effects are better added in post production for a professional shoot. But I would say, as good as the HV20 is, it's not a camera to use on a professional shoot (not as "A" camera anyway) and CineMode is less of a digital effect than say sepia tone or something like that so knock yourself out.