US Z1 over a stop less sensitive in 50i??? at DVinfo.net

Steve Mullen · October 1st, 2005, 07:28 PM

I got this email -- anyone have an ideas.

During a shoot in Europe recently for an american producer client i was
shooting with one European Z1 (Z1E) and one US Z1 (Z1U) in 1080 60i.
i was confused at first by the reduced sensitivity of the European Z1
until i discovered that the US Z1 was over a stop less sensitive when
switched to 50i!

Giroud Francois · October 2nd, 2005, 04:19 AM

At 60i the cam makes 60 readings per seconde, and obviously, evereybody would think that at 50i, the cam is reading only 50 frames but the duration of reading is longer.

If it is not, the camera reads 50i but with an CCD charge time of 60i (so there few milisec. left unused between each frames). that could explain we are loosing the light that touch the CCD during this unused time.

Gints Klimanis · September 23rd, 2006, 06:04 AM

Should there still be a more than a stop less sensitivity ?

Tom Hardwick · September 23rd, 2006, 06:25 AM

Generally the PAL version of every camcorder made is more sensitive than its NTSC counterpart simply because the former has a default shutter speed of 1/50th sec and the latter uses a higher shutter speed of 1/60th sec.

My betting is on the fact that the PAL camera has had its settings tweaked. There are so many ways the AE, the PP and so on can be set up. The designation Z1U and Z1E doesn't mean anyhing except where the units are sold - both cameras are identical as far as I can see.

tom.

Mark Utley · September 23rd, 2006, 07:44 PM

Were you comparing footage on a computer/TV or on the LCD screens?

October 1st, 2005, 07:28 PM	#1
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	US Z1 over a stop less sensitive in 50i??? I got this email -- anyone have an ideas. During a shoot in Europe recently for an american producer client i was shooting with one European Z1 (Z1E) and one US Z1 (Z1U) in 1080 60i. i was confused at first by the reduced sensitivity of the European Z1 until i discovered that the US Z1 was over a stop less sensitive when switched to 50i! __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

September 23rd, 2006, 07:44 PM	#5
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	Were you comparing footage on a computer/TV or on the LCD screens? __________________ Mark Utley

October 2nd, 2005, 04:19 AM	#2
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	At 60i the cam makes 60 readings per seconde, and obviously, evereybody would think that at 50i, the cam is reading only 50 frames but the duration of reading is longer. If it is not, the camera reads 50i but with an CCD charge time of 60i (so there few milisec. left unused between each frames). that could explain we are loosing the light that touch the CCD during this unused time.

September 23rd, 2006, 06:04 AM	#3
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Should there still be a more than a stop less sensitivity ?

September 23rd, 2006, 06:25 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Generally the PAL version of every camcorder made is more sensitive than its NTSC counterpart simply because the former has a default shutter speed of 1/50th sec and the latter uses a higher shutter speed of 1/60th sec. My betting is on the fact that the PAL camera has had its settings tweaked. There are so many ways the AE, the PP and so on can be set up. The designation Z1U and Z1E doesn't mean anyhing except where the units are sold - both cameras are identical as far as I can see. tom.