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Visual Impact shoots tests with the Sony HVR Z7e Camera

When Visual Impact, HDHub and Sony launched the Sony HVR Z7E camera they did comprehensive tests to evaluate the camera.

It was the world first 1/3 inch sensor camera with interchangeable lenses.

hvr-z7e,hvr z7e, hvrz7e

Latitude, Gain and noise was analysed using a Sony lightbox, Macbeth colour chart and Astro waveform - vector scope.

A number of comparative Lightbox and Macbeth colour chart slides were generated and then put alongside one another.

light box

Conducting the tests were Marius van Straaten (Visual Impact), Julian Guillaume (CineHD), Jacques Koudstaal and Roushal Poole from Sony, South Africa.

Photo: Marius van Straaten, Julian Guillaume, Louis.

Marius van Straaten, Julian Guillaume, Louis

The Z7 is one of the first Hybrid cameras recording to tape and CF (compact flash) card. It records HDV in other words 1080 by 1440 resolution.

Tape compartment:

Tape compartment

Compact Flash unit - Sony HVR DR 60

Compact Flash unit, Sony HVR DR 60

Open Compact Flash unit - Sony HVR DR 60

Open Compact Flash unit, Sony HVR DR 60

The onboard compact flash memory recorder unit housing the CF (compact Flash) card is the Sony HVR DR 60

The key features are:

HDV /DV / DVCam switchable
1/3 inch CMOS sensors
Interchangeable lenses
Supplied with carl Zeiss lens
Native Progressive mode
Picture profile to manipulate camera response
Improved Low light sensitivity

hvr z7e, feature

In terms of lensing the HVR Z7e was:

the world first 1/3 inch sensor camera with interchangeable lenses
lens mount is Sony 1/3 inch bayonet
auto flange setting or back focus adjustment
12 pin lens connector for ENG lenses
Digital extended or doubler
Standard Zeiss zoom lens:
- 4.4 to 52.8mm focal length
- Conversion factor of 7.2 from 1/3 inch to 35mm equivalent
- 32 to 384mm, 35mm equivalent
12 x zoom ratios
Speed of the lens on wide lens is f1.6
Speed of lens on tight lens is f2
Optical steady shot

Focus ring, Zoom ring and aperture ring:

hvr z7e, zoom ring

Digital extender:

hvr z7e, Digital extender

Optional wide angle lens:

Focal length 3.3 to 26.4mm
Conversion factor of 7.2 from 1/3 inch to 35mm equivalent
24 to 192mm, 35mm equivalent
8x zoom ratio Speed of the lens on wide lens is f1.6
Speed of the lens on the wide is f1.6
Speed of lens on tight lens is f2.8
Optical steady shot

Lens conversion rates:

inch to 1/3inch conversion results in 1.3 times focal shift (ACM-12 converter)
2/3 inch to 1/3 inch conversion results in 2 times focal length shift (ACM-17 converter)
1/3 inch to Sony Alpha stills lens conversion results in 7 times

Profile Menu can change:

Black level
Gamma
Black gamma
Knee
Colour correction
WB shift
Detail
Skintone detail
Colour depth

hvr z7e, profile

CAMERA LENS COMPARISON:

Sony Ex 1, V1, Z1, HVX 200 and Z7:

Camera	Lens in mm	Conversion factor	35mm Conversion	Sensor size	Magnification	Speed Of the lens	Low light sensitivity
EX-1	5.8-81.2	5.4	31.4 to 439mm	inch	14 x	1.9	0.14 lux f1.9
V1	3.9-78mm	9.5	37.4 to 748mm	1/4 inch	20 x	F1.6 to f 2.9	4.1 lux f1.6
Z1	4.5-54mm	7.2	32.5 to 390mm	1/3 inch	12.85 x	F1.6 to f2.8	3.1 lux f1.6
HVX 200	4.2-55mm	8.3	35 to 423mm	1/3 inch	12 x	F1.6	3.1 lux f1.6
Z7	4.4-52.8mm	7.2	32-384mm	1/3 inch	12 x	F1.6 to 2	1.5 lux f1.6

CAMERA GAIN TESTS:

Slide 54: activating -3dB gain and -6dB gain

CAMERA GAIN TESTS

Slide 56: Underexposing a grey scale:

Underexposing a grey scale

Slide 58: Under exposing a Macbeth colour chart

•Correct exposure is f2.4

Correct exposure is f2.4

Slide 59: Zoom in on Under exposing a Macbeth colour chart

•Although increase in all 3 primaries are noticeable the most increase in noise is in the red colour

Zoom in on Under exposing

Slide 62: Correct exposure with 0dB & negative gain

•Reduction in noise in all channels, but the most reduction in the red colour

Correct exposure with 0dB & negative gain

Slide 63: Zoom in on Correct exposure with 0dB & negative gain in red colour

Zoom in on Correct exposure with 0dB & negative gain in red colour

Slide 64: Zoom in on red colour

Zoom in on red colour

SKINTONE TESTS:

Slide 66: Skin tone with different gain settings, but correct exposure throughout

0dB, -3dB and -6dB gain
No discernable difference in noise

Skin tone with different gain settings

Slide 67: Zoom in on skin tone tests

Zoom in on skin tone tests
Conclusion: No discernable difference in noise

Slide 69: Noise management with

Picture Profile 4 On & Off to view effects on skintone of menu manipulation
Picture Profile 4 setting reduces noise

Slide 70:
Noise management:
Picture Profile 4 On & Off
Conclusion: PP4 setting reduces noise

PP4 setting reduces noise

Slide 71:
Model with Macbeth colour chart

Model with Macbeth colour chart

Slide 72: different dB gain settings effects on skin tone

•No discernable difference in noise

different dB gain settings effects on skin tone

RESOLUTION TESTS:

Accu view chart was used for resolution tests
Basic rules when shooting resolution tests:
Standard Zeiss zoom lens:
- International standard Accu-view resolution chart
- Distance from chart determined by half of lens focal length as recommended with resolution tests
- Zoom in 100% then 200% on FCP time line to evaluate
- Shot wide open at widest aperture to avoid depth of field leniency (additional sharpness)

Accu view chart was used for resolution tests