Canon XHA1 video camera

Maria Fields · January 27th, 2010, 08:11 PM

Hi all,
I have a question about my Canon XHA1 camera. I am trying to film interviews in fluorescent lighting (quite bright) and am finding that the feed into my camera is very dark. I have increased the exposure as much as possible (an act that used to turn the screen white but now creates a passably lit image but with bad quality and jumpy motion), changed the shutter speed, and otherwise fiddled in other rooms and even outside............I have filmed in similar light before without these problems – it feels like I’m missing something. Any thoughts?
Thanks

Danny Winn · January 27th, 2010, 08:26 PM

Wow, it shouldn't be a problem at all. My suggestion would be to put the camera into Auto mode and see if you have the same bad results just to test, be sure to set the white balence manually though.

If the room is well lit then you really shouldn't be getting a dark picture, you might also try hitting the "reset camera" option as well in case things got fouled up somewhere. I wouldn't mess with the shutter in a interview shot.

Also make sur you didn't accidently set a preset.

Matthew Amirkhani · January 27th, 2010, 08:56 PM

Hi MAria,

Check The followings:

What is your source for monitoring the footage? don't rely on the camera's monitor.
Open up the iris
Gain control put it on +3
Set the camera on Auto or Manual
Play around with exposure & speed shutter.

Chris Soucy · January 27th, 2010, 09:42 PM

Run the camera in Manual.

Keep the lens at full wide, do not use the zoom (the lens goes from a 1: 1.6 to a 1: 3.5 at full zoom - that's a lot of light to lose)

Set your shutter speed to 1/60 (good) or 1/30 (better) and leave it there. At that slow shutter ensure there is no fast movement, it will leave a snail trail.

Ensure the ND filters are OFF.

Ensure there is no polariser on the lens.

Turn your presets OFF.

Set aperture to suit, even full wide if need be.

Only add gain if the above still doesn't give you adequate light.

If that doesn't do it there is definately something amiss.

CS

January 27th, 2010, 08:11 PM	#1
Maria Fields Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Katonah New York Posts: 1	Canon XHA1 video camera - flourescent light Hi all, I have a question about my Canon XHA1 camera. I am trying to film interviews in fluorescent lighting (quite bright) and am finding that the feed into my camera is very dark. I have increased the exposure as much as possible (an act that used to turn the screen white but now creates a passably lit image but with bad quality and jumpy motion), changed the shutter speed, and otherwise fiddled in other rooms and even outside............I have filmed in similar light before without these problems – it feels like I’m missing something. Any thoughts? Thanks

January 27th, 2010, 08:56 PM	#3
Matthew Amirkhani Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 279	Hi MAria, Check The followings: What is your source for monitoring the footage? don't rely on the camera's monitor. Open up the iris Gain control put it on +3 Set the camera on Auto or Manual Play around with exposure & speed shutter. __________________ Canon XHA1, Brevis 35mm, Manfrotto 028,501,Vegas Pro 10e

January 27th, 2010, 09:42 PM	#4
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Maria................ Run the camera in Manual. Keep the lens at full wide, do not use the zoom (the lens goes from a 1: 1.6 to a 1: 3.5 at full zoom - that's a lot of light to lose) Set your shutter speed to 1/60 (good) or 1/30 (better) and leave it there. At that slow shutter ensure there is no fast movement, it will leave a snail trail. Ensure the ND filters are OFF. Ensure there is no polariser on the lens. Turn your presets OFF. Set aperture to suit, even full wide if need be. Only add gain if the above still doesn't give you adequate light. If that doesn't do it there is definately something amiss. CS

January 27th, 2010, 08:26 PM	#2
Danny Winn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 291	Wow, it shouldn't be a problem at all. My suggestion would be to put the camera into Auto mode and see if you have the same bad results just to test, be sure to set the white balence manually though. If the room is well lit then you really shouldn't be getting a dark picture, you might also try hitting the "reset camera" option as well in case things got fouled up somewhere. I wouldn't mess with the shutter in a interview shot. Also make sur you didn't accidently set a preset.