Just getting started at DVinfo.net

Jeff Mack · April 14th, 2005, 08:40 AM

I'll be brief. I just purchased a Z-1. My intention is to get 4-5 and shoot music concerts. I am new and have no background in film work, however, I am very studious. Some things just seem easier to just ask than to struggle searching for so here goes:

I recently shot a practice tape with my Z-1 and Obviously the white balance was way off - too bright. How do I use a white card? I know where the settings are but I don't know which ones to use.

I was also told that the quality resolution on the Z-1 isn't "GOOD" enough for HDV broadcasters (HDNET). I suspect it is because of the price differential in the camera. Any comments? and lastly, does anyone know of a school in the Dallas, TX area that I could check into or possible online schools?

Hope to be a frequent patron of this sight. I hope my inexperience is not a deterrent!

Jeff

Khoi Pham · April 14th, 2005, 12:00 PM

You want to fill the whole screen with the white card, put the camera on a or b then make sure exposure is correct then push the manual white balance button.
If the picture is to bright then it is because you over expose your picture, not because of white balance is off, set your zebra at 100 IRE and adjust exposure about a stop below you see zebra.
Be sure to put gain, iris, shutter on manual in order to adjust exposure manually, then use iris to adjust exposure.
Good luck.

Andrew J Hall · April 14th, 2005, 03:48 PM

'set your zebra at 100 IRE and adjust exposure about a stop below you see zebra'

Is that not going to underexpose your shots in many situations, eg outdoors, windows in frame etc (genuine question not a criticism of the comment)

Andrew

Steven Gotz · April 14th, 2005, 04:19 PM

Howdy from down the road in North Garland (at the end of the George Bush Tollway)

Which NLE are you planning on using?

Check out http://www.thewindowchannel.com - they may want your stuff. And some of the stock footage companies are ready to take HDV.

Khoi Pham · April 14th, 2005, 04:38 PM

I meant to use that as a measurement on what you want to exposed, if your subject is standing in front of a window, you will see zebra on the window, but make sure you don't see it on your subject face.

Dominic Jones · April 15th, 2005, 08:18 AM

If you have your zebras set at 70 IRE (probably the factory setting) then you will indeed underexpose by this method. 100 IRE is the limit at which the image will clip, and so you should definitely be under this.

Khoi's rule of thumb of about a stop or so (assuming the subject is what we're talking about) is pretty reasonable, I think...

Of course, this only holds true if you're shooting in "standard" lighting conditions for a "standard" effect (it's a rule of thumb, after all) - if you're shooting a noir, or day-for-night, or anything else a bit interesting then it becomes a bit more complex.

April 14th, 2005, 08:40 AM	#1
Jeff Mack Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 195	Just getting started I'll be brief. I just purchased a Z-1. My intention is to get 4-5 and shoot music concerts. I am new and have no background in film work, however, I am very studious. Some things just seem easier to just ask than to struggle searching for so here goes: I recently shot a practice tape with my Z-1 and Obviously the white balance was way off - too bright. How do I use a white card? I know where the settings are but I don't know which ones to use. I was also told that the quality resolution on the Z-1 isn't "GOOD" enough for HDV broadcasters (HDNET). I suspect it is because of the price differential in the camera. Any comments? and lastly, does anyone know of a school in the Dallas, TX area that I could check into or possible online schools? Hope to be a frequent patron of this sight. I hope my inexperience is not a deterrent! Jeff

April 14th, 2005, 12:00 PM	#2
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	You want to fill the whole screen with the white card, put the camera on a or b then make sure exposure is correct then push the manual white balance button. If the picture is to bright then it is because you over expose your picture, not because of white balance is off, set your zebra at 100 IRE and adjust exposure about a stop below you see zebra. Be sure to put gain, iris, shutter on manual in order to adjust exposure manually, then use iris to adjust exposure. Good luck. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

April 14th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#3
Andrew J Hall Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 80	'set your zebra at 100 IRE and adjust exposure about a stop below you see zebra' Is that not going to underexpose your shots in many situations, eg outdoors, windows in frame etc (genuine question not a criticism of the comment) Andrew __________________ http://www.ps-scripts.com/ Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 2x 2Gb Ram, ATI Radeon HD 3850

April 14th, 2005, 04:19 PM	#4
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Howdy from down the road in North Garland (at the end of the George Bush Tollway) Which NLE are you planning on using? Check out http://www.thewindowchannel.com - they may want your stuff. And some of the stock footage companies are ready to take HDV. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

April 14th, 2005, 04:38 PM	#5
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	I meant to use that as a measurement on what you want to exposed, if your subject is standing in front of a window, you will see zebra on the window, but make sure you don't see it on your subject face. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

April 15th, 2005, 08:18 AM	#6
Dominic Jones Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, England Posts: 225	If you have your zebras set at 70 IRE (probably the factory setting) then you will indeed underexpose by this method. 100 IRE is the limit at which the image will clip, and so you should definitely be under this. Khoi's rule of thumb of about a stop or so (assuming the subject is what we're talking about) is pretty reasonable, I think... Of course, this only holds true if you're shooting in "standard" lighting conditions for a "standard" effect (it's a rule of thumb, after all) - if you're shooting a noir, or day-for-night, or anything else a bit interesting then it becomes a bit more complex.