Pre-Production: JVC 100 Test Shoot

Introduction

As part of my research, I will be testing three different cameras to help me decide on which camera has the best style for Mockumentary shooting. The three cameras that I will be testing are:

   - Panasonic Lumix GH4 (my own camera)
   - Sony PMW EX-1 XDCAM
   - JVC GY HM 100

JVC GY HM 100

Unlike the other two cameras, I have had not had any experience with this camera as it has only recently been purchased from our university. So, as well as a test shoot, I've decided to do some further research into this camera to see what is capable of and whether it is suited for a
Mockumentary shoot.

Phillip Bloom Review

Print screen from Philip Bloom's review

My research eventually took me to the widely British known DoP - Philip Bloom. The video below shows a basic test shoot which he done with the JVC  around the streets of London. Nonetheless, the review proved to be very helpful - Philip provided footage of the camera in both light and dark conditions (predominantly light) as well as giving a brief review himself on what he thinks of the camera. Some key aspects which I pointed out from this review were:

   - The camera is reliable in full-auto mode. This isn't entirely beneficial for us as we will be having
     everything manual however this could be used to an advantage if we are trying to film something
     quick, and maybe even useful for if we want to try and make a shot seem rushed and rough.
   - Some manual controls are reasonably fiddly and are in awkward places, such as the iris control
     which may take some time getting used to.
   - Has the majority of useful features that bigger cameras have. For example, low medium and high
     gain and white balance presets, which generally gives you more aspects of quality to change on a
     camera that is light and small.
   - Records in .mov files making it extremely easy to update the software into final cut pro.
   - It's native recording format isn't full HD and is instead 720p. This isn't entirely problematic as it
     can upscale it to full HD (1080p) but this may effect our footage slightly.

Philip Bloom JVC GY HM 100 Review

Nonetheless, using the same shot list that I used for the Panasonic Lumix GH4, Kate and I got together to see what the camera was capable of. Below are the key points that I've noted during our test shoot:

Good Points

   - Enabled us to create smooth zooms due to the shortcut zoom keys unlike the GH4
   - Smoother pull focuses, due to the focus ring enabling smoother focuses and having the focus
     assist
   - Twin SDHC slots, allowing longer shooting times and not having to worry about memory cards
      being full
   - A detachable shotgun microphone that can be useful to gain an additional audio output
   - Dual XLR connectors, allowing the camera to have another audio output connected.

Bad Points

   - The LCD display wasn't as efficient as the Lumix GH4. The quality isn't as defined which could
     be problematic when shooting with the camera as the LCD screen can make it harder to frame
     specific shots and whether the focusing is correct.
   - Flat shooting tone. The camera doesn't have a cinematic approach like the GH4. However, this
     may seem more suited for our production as it seems more realistic likewise to documentaries.
   - Restricted focal length, as we won't have the ability to change the lens.

Below is the shotlist for the test shoot:

Shot List for Test Shoot

Conclusion

To conclude, it is clear that this camera has high potential and can provide high quality footage. However, we've decided not to use this camera as it doesn't quite match up to the high standards of the Sony (which can be seen in my Sony test shoot post). Because the camera cannot record in full HD without being upscaled, we feel that we won't get the highest quality that we need. Although it is handy having a lightweight camcorder, the lack of weight in fact made shots seem jumpy likewise to how they were on the GH4.

Nonetheless, we may use this camera as a secondary camera if we can't get two Sony's (as we will be using the Sony as the prime camera).