Using LCD to set exposure at DVinfo.net

rogerglumm · June 29th, 2002, 10:31 AM

I recently taped a variety show. It was only my second outing with the PD-150.

Because the lighting changed quite often, I relied heavily on setting exposure by using the fold out viewscreen.

I also used the Zebra stripe set at 70%.

Much of my resulting footage was too dark. Since it was not all too dark, I am wondering if someone in this group could help me get a better grasp on what I should be doing to get better exposure.

Later today, I will use the camera, a fairly reliable monitor and the viewscreen to recalibrate the brightness of the viewscreen. That should help.

Then I will do tests using the same set up to see what effect the 70% and the 100% Zebra Strip settings have.

Any other pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike Rehmus · June 29th, 2002, 12:56 PM

Unfortunately, I don't believe you can use the LCD screen to accurately set exposure levels. The monochrome viewfinder is a bit better for this, but, being a LCD itself, is not as good as a conventional viewfinder or monitor.

The zebra stripe at 70% will allow you to set exposure fairly accurately if you have the 'right' type of scene. Caucasian faces (so why don't they have a selection for other skin tones?), green grass and blue sky are all good 70% points.

Faces are always the most important in any scene. So if you have a Caucasian face in the image, you should, coming from the underexposed direction, adjust the aperature/shutterspeed/gain until there is just a bit of zebra in the highlights of the face. Nose, forehead, etc. That should do it.

Green grass and blue sky should also register abut 70%.

I have simultaneously used the zebra pattern and a waveform monitor to observe an image and find the zebra pattern to be most useful and accurate. Not as good as the waveform monitor but OK.

June 29th, 2002, 10:31 AM	#1
rogerglumm New Boot Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lansing, MI USA Posts: 10	Using LCD to set exposure I recently taped a variety show. It was only my second outing with the PD-150. Because the lighting changed quite often, I relied heavily on setting exposure by using the fold out viewscreen. I also used the Zebra stripe set at 70%. Much of my resulting footage was too dark. Since it was not all too dark, I am wondering if someone in this group could help me get a better grasp on what I should be doing to get better exposure. Later today, I will use the camera, a fairly reliable monitor and the viewscreen to recalibrate the brightness of the viewscreen. That should help. Then I will do tests using the same set up to see what effect the 70% and the 100% Zebra Strip settings have. Any other pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ Roger Lane Glumm rogerglumm@ameritech.net 1000 S. Holmes Street Lansing, MI 48912-1924 (517) 485-3609

June 29th, 2002, 12:56 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Unfortunately, I don't believe you can use the LCD screen to accurately set exposure levels. The monochrome viewfinder is a bit better for this, but, being a LCD itself, is not as good as a conventional viewfinder or monitor. The zebra stripe at 70% will allow you to set exposure fairly accurately if you have the 'right' type of scene. Caucasian faces (so why don't they have a selection for other skin tones?), green grass and blue sky are all good 70% points. Faces are always the most important in any scene. So if you have a Caucasian face in the image, you should, coming from the underexposed direction, adjust the aperature/shutterspeed/gain until there is just a bit of zebra in the highlights of the face. Nose, forehead, etc. That should do it. Green grass and blue sky should also register abut 70%. I have simultaneously used the zebra pattern and a waveform monitor to observe an image and find the zebra pattern to be most useful and accurate. Not as good as the waveform monitor but OK. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!