NX5U & NX5E low light settings at DVinfo.net

Andrew Parker · August 30th, 2011, 03:23 PM

I am new to video and have recently bought the NX5E i am assuming the NX5U is identical function wise, if so has anyone have any tips for low light shooting, i am trying to make a movie and one scene involves the cam on a tripod fixed in the back of a car looking over the drivers shoulder at night, outside is lit by headlights only (no street light) and is fine, inside just the dash lights, i have tried numerous settings and the results have been very grainy, i have to light up the inside with a hand held video LED light to get better results but it spoils the effect and even applying day as night in editing it is not good, i need to hit a good balance between the lighting and the settings.
I am not confident enough to start changing all the settings without any advise first.
thanks for any help.

Mike Butir · August 30th, 2011, 09:31 PM

Hey Andrew,

I was in the same boat as you are. Do you have any picture profiles on while shooting that particular scene? if so i would turn those off, the flitters that it applies may darken the scene some more and make you boost your gain up a tad. Unfortunately this is only a 1/3 cmos camera so its not the biggest image sensors to perform outstanding in lowlight situations.

Mike

Andrew Parker · August 31st, 2011, 03:19 AM

Thanks Mike i did have a profile on i will try that next and see if it improves the quality.

Tom Hardwick · September 2nd, 2011, 02:14 AM

You've already realised what must be done - you've got to light the inside of the car so that there's a realistic balance between the road lit by the headlights and the dash lit by your (dimable, hopefully) LED light. The LED will need a lot of diffusion - try making some sort of translucent white sphere to cover the leds, or simply bounce the light off the roof-lining.

tom.

Andrew Parker · September 2nd, 2011, 06:01 AM

The light is dim-able and i have a few diffusers for it so i will just have to experiment until i get it right, it all adds to the experience and these tips all help thanks Tom.

August 30th, 2011, 03:23 PM	#1
Andrew Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 44	NX5U & NX5E low light settings I am new to video and have recently bought the NX5E i am assuming the NX5U is identical function wise, if so has anyone have any tips for low light shooting, i am trying to make a movie and one scene involves the cam on a tripod fixed in the back of a car looking over the drivers shoulder at night, outside is lit by headlights only (no street light) and is fine, inside just the dash lights, i have tried numerous settings and the results have been very grainy, i have to light up the inside with a hand held video LED light to get better results but it spoils the effect and even applying day as night in editing it is not good, i need to hit a good balance between the lighting and the settings. I am not confident enough to start changing all the settings without any advise first. thanks for any help.

August 30th, 2011, 09:31 PM	#2
Mike Butir Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 102	Re: NX5U & NX5E low light settings Hey Andrew, I was in the same boat as you are. Do you have any picture profiles on while shooting that particular scene? if so i would turn those off, the flitters that it applies may darken the scene some more and make you boost your gain up a tad. Unfortunately this is only a 1/3 cmos camera so its not the biggest image sensors to perform outstanding in lowlight situations. Mike

August 31st, 2011, 03:19 AM	#3
Andrew Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 44	Re: NX5U & NX5E low light settings Thanks Mike i did have a profile on i will try that next and see if it improves the quality.

September 2nd, 2011, 02:14 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Re: NX5U & NX5E low light settings You've already realised what must be done - you've got to light the inside of the car so that there's a realistic balance between the road lit by the headlights and the dash lit by your (dimable, hopefully) LED light. The LED will need a lot of diffusion - try making some sort of translucent white sphere to cover the leds, or simply bounce the light off the roof-lining. tom.

September 2nd, 2011, 06:01 AM	#5
Andrew Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 44	Re: NX5U & NX5E low light settings The light is dim-able and i have a few diffusers for it so i will just have to experiment until i get it right, it all adds to the experience and these tips all help thanks Tom.