Exposure Shift

[Alex Leith]

Did I miss something? I've only just realized that the only exposure shift controls are in the menu(?!) and not on the camera. (I normally work under controlled lighting so this isn't something I've noticed until now)

Previously working outdoors I've used auto exposure on Sony FX1 to cope with changing light, but had the option to crank the exposure up or down with the exposure/iris wheel if the camera was doing something stupid.

Canon's blind commitment to using the same programme settings across their still cameras and video cameras is somewhat bemusing. Who the hell in their right mind is ever going to use Av on a video camera? You can't have the shutter speed ramping up and down in the middle of a shot!

Is there any way of compensating for camera auto exposure anomolies whilst still keeping it in auto?

[Peter Jefferson]

are u saying there is NO manual overide if running auto anything?

[Bill Busby]

Originally Posted by Alex Leith

Is there any way of compensating for camera auto exposure anomolies whilst still keeping it in auto?

Alex, I was irked with Canon's decision to put the AE shift in the menu as well. DUH!

The only thing I can suggest is getting used to using the Exposure Lock function on the occasion when you might need it.

Bill

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Alex Leith

I've only just realized that the only exposure shift controls are in the menu(?!) and not on the camera.

This is the reason why there's a request to "move the AE Shift function from menu to iris ring" in our XH Firmware Upgrade Wishlist Poll.

Who the hell in their right mind is ever going to use Av on a video camera? You can't have the shutter speed ramping up and down in the middle of a shot!

Agreed. It's a holdover from their still camera line. I've always thought that Av mode was pretty much useless, except perhaps for some limited depth-of-field control.

Is there any way of compensating for camera auto exposure anomolies whilst still keeping it in auto?

Tv mode + Exp. Lock is the ideal operating mode for the camera. It's the best way to shoot, with shutter speed locked, and instant switching between manual and auto exposure using the Exposure Lock button.

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

This is the reason why there's a request to "move the AE Shift function from menu to iris ring" in our XH Firmware Upgrade Wishlist Poll.

Ah yes, indeed! I think at the time I didn't quite understand what that option was about - I had made the assumption that this was about changing the AE shift from the shutter wheel to the iris - however I can see the word "menu" is quite clearly written there, so I guess I should read things properly and not make assumptions! :-D

[Bogdan Tyburczy]

"This is the reason why there's a request to "move the AE Shift function from menu to iris ring" in our XH Firmware Upgrade Wishlist Poll"

- and that's one of the best ideas on the list. I hope Canon listens.

[Steven Dempsey]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Tv mode + Exp. Lock is the ideal operating mode for the camera.

Uhh, excuse my visceral reaction to this statement but manual mode is the most ideal, lol.

:)

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Bogdan Tyburczy

"This is the reason why there's a request to "move the AE Shift function from menu to iris ring" in our XH Firmware Upgrade Wishlist Poll"

- and that's one of the best ideas on the list. I hope Canon listens.

God yes! It seems to me that Canon were a little more interested in maintaining "corporate" consistancy than thinking "out of the box" (or even trying to design the best user experience) when it comes to the "UI design".

It's a fantastic camera, but there are one or two little things that are a bit like having a (metaphorical) finger cut off because you have to dip into the menu.

Of course it may be mostly because they used the H1 as their base.

Perhaps camera manufacturers should have open-source firmware?

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

Uhh, excuse my visceral reaction to this statement but manual mode is the most ideal, lol.

:)

Of course, but just like being able to hit the AF button whilst in manual focus, working in Tv with EXP LOCK gives you a sort of (back-to-front) AE button.

[Steven Dempsey]

I realize the context of the statement but I just couldn't resist :)

[Peter Jefferson]

curious... is there a way you can swap the shutter dial to become an iris wheel (ala DVX)? next to the exposure lock i mean...

that shooting mode wheel is such a waste of space IMO... so much more could have been put there, such as extra custom keys, custom preset dial...

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

I realize the context of the statement but I just couldn't resist :)

Ha! Ha! You're such a trouble maker Steven ;-)

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Peter Jefferson

that shooting mode wheel is such a waste of space IMO... so much more could have been put there, such as extra custom keys, custom preset dial...

Yes. Commitment to corporate image over function...

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

manual mode is the most ideal, lol.

Ha! But that's exactly what Tv + Exp. Lock is... manual mode!

It's the exact same functionality of M mode, with the advantage of having the ability to go to auto iris with the push of a button... something you can't do in M mode.

An experienced shooter like Steven would probably never choose to shoot in auto iris, but as the saying goes, different strokes for different folks... some people want and need that capability, so for them, Tv + Exp. Lock is a better way to shoot than Manual (because it's identical to Manual, with the advantage of AE if you need it).

We get a lot of new people coming through here who don't have much experience with video, so I make it a point to urge them to shoot in Auto settings at first. The camera does an adequate job in Auto. A new shooter should let the camera take care of those settings, and concentrate instead on the far more important aspects of framing and composition, and developing an eye. Then once they've accomplished that, graduate to the technical part of the photography.

The advantage of the power mode dial on the XL and XH cameras is that you can turn it on into whatever shooting mode you want.

[Alex Leith]

And, of course, there are auto-iris buttons on the lenses of full size cameras. Back in the days of working in broadcast TV I was never shy about getting the camera to give me a hand with exposure when I thought it was appropriate.