I own a Sony DCR-HC46 mini DV camcorder. It has a wide screen feature, but I am a little skeptical on it. I want to know if I should make a movie using the wide screen or switch back to the full screen. I don't know if this is how it should be but when you switch from full screen to wide screen you lose some of top and bottom of the picture.
I don't know off the top of my head, but you should check whether this camera has is truly widescreen (i.e. has a 16:9 CCD) or whether it is letterboxed. If the latter, you should switch off the camera's "widescreen" function and do your letterboxing in post where you have more control (just remember to frame your shots with this in mind).
There's an answer in the FAQ too which talks about widescreen issues in more detail.
Ben C.
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Benjamin Craig
Editor-in-Chief, filmmaking.net
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Benjamin Craig
Editor-in-Chief, filmmaking.net
What about wideangle lenses? What do they do exactly? And should I use it?
What is good in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!
What is good in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!
They give a wider field of view, but tend to cause 'bending' of straight lines near the corners.
I *think* widescreen is prefered for action shots as well because it is easier to keep things in focus. I could have that backwards though.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Well, I've figured it out. Some of the top and bottom get cut out when I switch to the widescreen. I hate being misled. Should have bought the Canon ZR 500.
