ISO rating of the PMW-300 at DVinfo.net

Arbel Rom · November 16th, 2014, 04:17 AM

Hi all.
I am trying t rate my PMW-300's base ISO.
I'm using an 18% gray card, and a Sekonic L-758 cine light meter.
The gray card is evenly lit, the camera's shutter is set to off at 0dB gain.. then I set the iris to Auto,
and match the iris in the camera with the light meter - and see what ISO did I use in the light meter to achieve that.
That's supposed to be the camera's ISO at 0dB gain.

I just got a result of 640 ISO in 0dB gain.

seems a bit high since I heard a few people talking about number like 320 etc.
did any of you rate the camera using this method?
I'd like to hear the results...

Thanks!
Arbel.

Arbel Rom · November 16th, 2014, 04:51 AM

Well, after some more readings and testing I can say that its hard to fully match the readings
in camera with the light meter.
Using the Odyssey 7q waveform I now believe the ISO is 500 at 0dB and slightly under 400 at -3dB.
I'm starting a big project of many interviews, and I really want to know that I can trust my light meter together with my PMW-300... (or should I say it the other way around...)

BTW - I noticed a color difference between the PMW-300 viewfinder and the Odyssey 7q, the later being cooler...
anyone tried to calibrate it?

Arbel Rom · December 1st, 2014, 03:58 AM

Anyone??
Any thoughts about this?

Dave Sperling · December 4th, 2014, 09:09 PM

My suggestion - use the zebras and/or a waveform as your light meter. The 'iso rating' of the camera will change significantly depending on your gamma and other picture profile selections. Of course I used to use a light meter for film shoots, but one way or another the negative was always timed (color corrected) in post, so essentially the main thing the light meter did was keep me in the ball park.
I also tend not to trust the camera's viewfinder for critical color decisions - I've started bringing a 17" Sony OLED monitor with me.
Of course if you have a good colorist at the end of your post process it really takes most of the worry out of the equation.

November 16th, 2014, 04:17 AM	#1
Arbel Rom Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kibbutz Ein-Hashofet, Israel Posts: 130	ISO rating of the PMW-300 Hi all. I am trying t rate my PMW-300's base ISO. I'm using an 18% gray card, and a Sekonic L-758 cine light meter. The gray card is evenly lit, the camera's shutter is set to off at 0dB gain.. then I set the iris to Auto, and match the iris in the camera with the light meter - and see what ISO did I use in the light meter to achieve that. That's supposed to be the camera's ISO at 0dB gain. I just got a result of 640 ISO in 0dB gain. seems a bit high since I heard a few people talking about number like 320 etc. did any of you rate the camera using this method? I'd like to hear the results... Thanks! Arbel. __________________ Arbel Rom - Cinematographer. arbelrom@gmail.com http://www.ehpro.co.il/home

November 16th, 2014, 04:51 AM	#2
Arbel Rom Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kibbutz Ein-Hashofet, Israel Posts: 130	Re: ISO rating of the PMW-300 Well, after some more readings and testing I can say that its hard to fully match the readings in camera with the light meter. Using the Odyssey 7q waveform I now believe the ISO is 500 at 0dB and slightly under 400 at -3dB. I'm starting a big project of many interviews, and I really want to know that I can trust my light meter together with my PMW-300... (or should I say it the other way around...) BTW - I noticed a color difference between the PMW-300 viewfinder and the Odyssey 7q, the later being cooler... anyone tried to calibrate it? __________________ Arbel Rom - Cinematographer. arbelrom@gmail.com http://www.ehpro.co.il/home

December 1st, 2014, 03:58 AM	#3
Arbel Rom Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kibbutz Ein-Hashofet, Israel Posts: 130	Re: ISO rating of the PMW-300 Anyone?? Any thoughts about this? __________________ Arbel Rom - Cinematographer. arbelrom@gmail.com http://www.ehpro.co.il/home

December 4th, 2014, 09:09 PM	#4
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: ISO rating of the PMW-300 My suggestion - use the zebras and/or a waveform as your light meter. The 'iso rating' of the camera will change significantly depending on your gamma and other picture profile selections. Of course I used to use a light meter for film shoots, but one way or another the negative was always timed (color corrected) in post, so essentially the main thing the light meter did was keep me in the ball park. I also tend not to trust the camera's viewfinder for critical color decisions - I've started bringing a 17" Sony OLED monitor with me. Of course if you have a good colorist at the end of your post process it really takes most of the worry out of the equation.