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Shooting in HD versus 16mm
High Definition is definitely the new rage. But shooting HD versus 16mm?
In our business, we’ve found a majority of the people that originally wanted us to use 16mm were really just wanting something better than Standard Definition, but felt the price of 35mm wasn’t in their budget. When we started offering HD, the people interested in 16mm quickly switched to HD. Those that know the differences between film and video, or those that have been willing to be educated on the differences, usually go with 35mm.
How about for myself – would I choose HD over 16mm? It all depends on what I’m doing: 16mm is still great to work with, especially for doing narrative film work on a tighter budget. But both have their ups and downs. 16mm and HD do not really look alike, so it really helps to know what look you think best matches your story.
Want a quick comparison of 16mm and HD? Rent the two films Leaving Las Vegas, which was shot on Super16 and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which was shot on HD. Both, in their own ways, look great!
What do you all think? Care to comment?
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Written by Frey
Frey is a director, writer, and Cinematographer. Feel free to contact him if you need a commercial or promotional film made...
Filed under: film, high definition · Tags: 16mm, high definition, super16
Fear and Loathing was shot on super 16? sure about that? i think it was super 35… might give a slightly skewed comparison.
Whoops, thanks for that catch! Fixed it.
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” was definitely 35mm. “Leaving Las Vegas” was shot in Super16…
Cheers!