ND filter question at DVinfo.net

Jim Sobolewski · October 11th, 2007, 06:31 PM

I am just a beginner in shooting fully manual,i am using the vx2100 and the other night i filmed a band down in the front of the stage and i had the shutter locked at 60,and changed the aperture as i saw needed.For example the singer was in a hot spot so when filming him i had 0 gain and usually (from memory...maybe this is an incorrect f stop) but i beleive was 5.6.And the other members where in the range of f2 and f4.

My question mainly is should i go to the ND filters first ? Why and or why not?

And does the vx warn you to use ND in manual mode as i have not seen it yet,only saw it call for them in auto mode.

Carlos Rodriguez · October 13th, 2007, 05:40 AM

the PD150 does... not sure about vx series. it will tell you with a blinking indicator which neutral density filter to be on, or if it needs one at all.

Tom Hardwick · October 13th, 2007, 06:17 AM

Jim, the VX and PD cameras are exactly the same as regards chips and lens. The ND filters are there to soak the light just as a pair of dark glasses does. So if you're outside and the camera's iris reaches f/9.5 the silent scream will appear telling you to switch in ND1. If the aperture wants to go smaller than f/11 'ND2' will appear.

When you see the warnings it's time to act, as small apertures degrade picture quality noticeably, especially with small chips and short focal lengths. It's actually better to anticipate the silent scream and insert ND1 when the camera's shooting at f/8. If you can choose a combination of internal ND filtration to shoot at f/4, so much the better.

And have you tried the VX2k1's 'spotlight' mode? In the case you describe you may find it's just what you need as it's a very intelligent mode (unlike the 'backlight' mode). Of course locking the iris for the highlights is the way to go, but in fast-changing lighting conditions that may mean you're sacrificing composure for exposure.

tom.

Tom Hardwick · October 15th, 2007, 03:23 AM

In manual mode you still get a v'finder display of whether you've got ND1 or ND2 engaged, but as Kevin says, you don't get the auto recommendation appear.

October 11th, 2007, 06:31 PM	#1
Jim Sobolewski New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 13	ND filter question I am just a beginner in shooting fully manual,i am using the vx2100 and the other night i filmed a band down in the front of the stage and i had the shutter locked at 60,and changed the aperture as i saw needed.For example the singer was in a hot spot so when filming him i had 0 gain and usually (from memory...maybe this is an incorrect f stop) but i beleive was 5.6.And the other members where in the range of f2 and f4. My question mainly is should i go to the ND filters first ? Why and or why not? And does the vx warn you to use ND in manual mode as i have not seen it yet,only saw it call for them in auto mode.

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October 13th, 2007, 05:40 AM	#2
Carlos Rodriguez Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Modesto, California Posts: 206	the PD150 does... not sure about vx series. it will tell you with a blinking indicator which neutral density filter to be on, or if it needs one at all.

October 13th, 2007, 06:17 AM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Jim, the VX and PD cameras are exactly the same as regards chips and lens. The ND filters are there to soak the light just as a pair of dark glasses does. So if you're outside and the camera's iris reaches f/9.5 the silent scream will appear telling you to switch in ND1. If the aperture wants to go smaller than f/11 'ND2' will appear. When you see the warnings it's time to act, as small apertures degrade picture quality noticeably, especially with small chips and short focal lengths. It's actually better to anticipate the silent scream and insert ND1 when the camera's shooting at f/8. If you can choose a combination of internal ND filtration to shoot at f/4, so much the better. And have you tried the VX2k1's 'spotlight' mode? In the case you describe you may find it's just what you need as it's a very intelligent mode (unlike the 'backlight' mode). Of course locking the iris for the highlights is the way to go, but in fast-changing lighting conditions that may mean you're sacrificing composure for exposure. tom.

October 15th, 2007, 03:23 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	In manual mode you still get a v'finder display of whether you've got ND1 or ND2 engaged, but as Kevin says, you don't get the auto recommendation appear.