Keeping highlights in check???
 

What are you DV guys using to keep highlights in check? In bright light my DVC80 is blowing out highlights- even with the internal ND filters switched on......what do you guys use and what sorta success?

Thanks

Does that camera have zebras? (a lower end model has it so I figure the DVC80 should) It should help you set exposure.

If you're shooting outside you can use a polarizer to bring the brightness of the sky down (in relation to everything else).

What kind of situations are you shooting in?

I typically under-expose about one stop, sometimes more if necessary. I don't use zebra stripes, I just look at the image and make sure that I have a good ratio. If there are any white areas in the frame, it is usually a "red flag" that you are over-exposing. Unlike film, if the bright areas in your frame turn white, the color detail for that area is lost forever. You cannot get it back. Simply expose for the highlights and everything else will fall into place.

- don

Glenn is correct on adding a polarizer, it will knock about 1 1/2 stops off. I sometimes use addition ND filtration added to the front of the lens. Depending on the power of the ND filter you can reduce exposure an additional 1 to 3 stops.