Kris Zimbelman
April 14th, 2003, 01:51 PM
The Sony DCR VX1000 has menu settings that can have a profound impact on the picture “look.” While this
document explains how to achieve a warmer, softer “film-like” look than the factory default setting, it should be viewed as an introduction to using the menus effectively. A good camera operator will know the menus intimately, and know how to use them to achieve different “looks” in different situations.
The two major parameters involved are the SHARPNESS (technically known as aperture correction), the COLOR LV (chroma) and the WB SHIFT (phase).
To access these menu items, open the battery cover with the camera in standby mode.
Press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
Press the arrows to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.
Select the proper item, and adjust as described.
Press MENU to exit the menu display.
Recommended starting points:
SHARPNESS: Lower one or two settings from center
COLOR LV: Experiment, this is taste. Try +1 and -1 to see which you like. Different situations may look better more or less saturated. The default setting is not bad, many people will wish to leave it there.
WB SHIFT: Try moving one or two settings towards red to move away from the slightly blue Sony default.
Another, perhaps easier, method for shifting the color balance at will is to use a set of different white cards. A pastel blue card will shift the white balance a bit toward the orange; a pastel yellow or orange card will shift the balance toward the blue range. But don’t forget to still carry a real white card along with your “cheats!”
document explains how to achieve a warmer, softer “film-like” look than the factory default setting, it should be viewed as an introduction to using the menus effectively. A good camera operator will know the menus intimately, and know how to use them to achieve different “looks” in different situations.
The two major parameters involved are the SHARPNESS (technically known as aperture correction), the COLOR LV (chroma) and the WB SHIFT (phase).
To access these menu items, open the battery cover with the camera in standby mode.
Press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
Press the arrows to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.
Select the proper item, and adjust as described.
Press MENU to exit the menu display.
Recommended starting points:
SHARPNESS: Lower one or two settings from center
COLOR LV: Experiment, this is taste. Try +1 and -1 to see which you like. Different situations may look better more or less saturated. The default setting is not bad, many people will wish to leave it there.
WB SHIFT: Try moving one or two settings towards red to move away from the slightly blue Sony default.
Another, perhaps easier, method for shifting the color balance at will is to use a set of different white cards. A pastel blue card will shift the white balance a bit toward the orange; a pastel yellow or orange card will shift the balance toward the blue range. But don’t forget to still carry a real white card along with your “cheats!”