I have been trying to use the L, M, H switch to set the gain on my camera without success. Whenever I flip the switch to any setting other than low I get the message "cannot proceed". If on the other hand I use the menu, I can change the gain without a problem. I know that it is probably my own inexperience with the camera - but I just can't figure this one out. Has anyone else seen this - and if you have what was the solution? Any help is much appreciated.

Hi Graeme, I think that has something to do with changing the direct menu setting, it needs to be set to 'Part' in order for the switch to function.

regards

paul.

Graeme, I had the same issue last week.

What I did was in the 'Others' menu I had the 'Direct Menu' Option to 'All'
What that does is it disables your Gain switch and puts 'All' control up into the joystick on top of the camera.

If you have it on "All" and want it that way - then click on the joystick (the Sel/Set) one and toggle to the gain and you can go up and down through the entire range of gain from -3db --> 18 db from there. It's kinda cool actually - it doesn't limit you to the 'three positions' on gain.

If you just want your gain switch back to the way it was - switch the 'Direct Menu' Option to 'Part' and you're back in business. Again, the 'Direct Menu' options is in the 'Others' menu

This scared me too - I thought - Damn I broke it :P

Any questions let me know

Cheers
Paul

Thanks Paul and Paul,

I thought it would be something simple. Your help is much appreciated.

Phil gave the answer. The 'All' setting for the direct menu will also disable the shutter setting and the white preset. Maybe some more settings. I don't know why we can't have both, the switch and the joystick...

I don't know why we can't have both, the switch and the joystick...

I guess this is a replacement for the "Hold" postion of the more traditional switch on other Sony prosumer cameras - to make sure you don't change anything inadvertently...

I guess this is a replacement for the "Hold" postion of the more traditional switch on other Sony prosumer cameras - to make sure you don't change anything inadvertently...

I heard they will add a "please cut my fingers" option for that on the next prosumer camcorder :)

I love the quick access to some functions with the joystick but I also would like to be able to change settings with dedicated switch. This may be something to add to the EX1 firmware upgrade wishlist :

- the All mode controls everything
- when in All mode, the change on dedicated switch take over
- you have another menu option to 'lock' the side switches

...

Fully agree - full control at all times is what we need, Sony !!!

If both were to be active at once which would take precedence?

I could have the switch set to H at 12dB and I set the gain 3dB higher on the screen, what should happen now, 15dB?

I flick the switch down to M which I've preset to 6dB, then what should happen, 6dB?

If both were to be active at once which would take precedence?

I could have the switch set to H at 12dB and I set the gain 3dB higher on the screen, what should happen now, 15dB?

I flick the switch down to M which I've preset to 6dB, then what should happen, 6dB?

Maybe they could give preference to the last one who has been changed.

- You set the gain switch to M and it changes to 6 dB (for example)

- Then you may be able to change it with the joystick, and set it to 9 dB

- If you set the switch back to L, it will go 0 dB.

and so on...

The same thing could be done with the WB, shutter and other stuff.

And if we want to lock the switches, we will just have another menu item as Piotr suggested: - you have another menu option to 'lock' the side switches