DATACOLOR ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
New Spyder Checkr Video is off the charts! While its colour management tool has deservedly bagged our innovation of the year award, it’s not the only such device worthy of your attention. Enter Datacolor’s brand-new Spyder Checkr Video colour reference chart, a crucial tool for filmmakers A s the leading expert in colour management, Datacolor can offer photographers and videographers alike a host of
award-winning products. Its Spyder X2 device that has just taken our innovation of the year award is very much a case in point. But this isn’t a company to rest on its laurels. So, already weaving its way towards a place in our consciousness and workflow is the Spyder Checkr Video colour reference chart. Described as a first- of-its-kind colour reference tool for those on the go or on location, having checked out what it offers, we feel confident this is one Spyder you’ll want to catch. For starters, it’s conveniently pocket- sized and works with editing softwares DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro. In fact, in being described as the one chart we’ll need to be able to optimise and harmonise our video workflow, the aim here is to ensure accurate colour and exposure from the very first frame of our videos to the last. The design is Datacolor’s most comprehensive colour pattern to date and, when viewed with a vectorscope – a type of oscilloscope providing data on the colour properties of our video – it can generate a pattern of hues at two saturation levels (75% and 100%). This allows filmmakers to see how all colours are being captured – not just primary and secondary colours – at a glance. In short, an unprecedented level of colour information is instantly provided by an easy-to-understand circular pattern. This is your new way of controlling colours in videography, with the opportunity to adjust the hue and saturation level for each colour as necessary.
card, plus a nifty protective case. The high-gloss cards are there to provide for more saturated colours, a wider colour gamut and easier flare identification. The system works like this: first, decide on your camera angle, framing and lighting. Then angle the colour and greyscale cards towards your camera, avoiding reflections, and record a few frames for colour reference. Next, check your waveform monitor and vectorscope to gauge colour and exposure settings. Lastly, use your camera’s functions or editing software to correct colour and exposure as necessary. And done! Setting the industry benchmark So, for those of us seeking to ensure colour accuracy right from the start of shooting and streamline the post-production
Accuracy from the get-go In addition to streamlining our post- production workflow, right at the start of shooting, Spyder Checkr Video enables users to colour calibrate one or more combinations of camera and lens to make sure tones are correct. Its design makes it very ergonomic to use. Fitting securely in the hand, it can be held in such a way that the user’s fingers are prevented from casting shadows onto the cards, thus minimising any potential for error. The patent-pending colour pattern card includes 12 colour patches in a unique configuration with a centre black, grey and white patch, plus six skin tone tiles. This portable system also comes with five high-gloss target cards, a 22- step gradient greyscale card, solid neutral grey card for white-balance, focus star
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