Zebra sensitivity

[Roger Lee]

Another question on Zebra settings:

(1) The higher the numerical setting on zebras, more sensitive the zebra settings re: light sensitivity?

(2) Or does the zebra setting have something to do with the white balance setting?

Thanks

[Dutch Simpson]

Zebras have nothing to do with white balance settings, they indicate any over-exposure. Use the zebras to guide your iris settings. You usually want just a little zebra on the brightest part your frame.

[Tripp Woelfel]

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

Another question on Zebra settings:
(1) The higher the numerical setting on zebras, more sensitive the zebra settings re: light sensitivity?

No. When you set zebras to 100, they'll show up on anything over 100 IRE. Or, put otherwise, on anything you're about to clip whites on. The zebra setting number apparently corresponds to the IRE value. If you think of 100 IRE as being 100% of white you could say the zebras at 80 will show up on anything that's over 80% of white. It's an inexact analogy but you might find it helpful.

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

(2) Or does the zebra setting have something to do with the white balance setting?

As Dutch said, no. Your white balance could be over the moon wrong and the zebras would still give you what you asked of them. To understand the difference you might want to pick up a book on colour correction, check your camera manual or simply check out wikipedia for the basics on both topics.

[Chris Barcellos]

Originally Posted by Dutch Simpson

Zebras have nothing to do with white balance settings, they indicate any over-exposure. Use the zebras to guide your iris settings. You usually want just a little zebra on the brightest part your frame.

This depends on what you have your zebras set at. At 100%, if you have zebras showing on a little spot on a face, that spot will be blown out and look unnatural.

[Roger Lee]

Thanks for the info.

What you all told me makes sense.

Thanks again.

Rog Lee