25p, Shutterspeed 1/50, 16:9

[Graham Jones]

I'm shooting 25p, Shutterspeed 1/50, 16:9 and like my image quality...

However recently I've been having a little bit of difficulty with white or 'brightness' or exposure or whatever.

I find the image sometimes too bright even when the shutterspeed is left at factory setting - but it's obviously worse when I put it to 1/50. Way too bright!

I've tried reducing the exposure in tandem and - despite creating an incredibly filmlike effect which isn't undesirable - I notice a drop in quality.

I know this is probably basic - any hints/tips?

JVC GR-PD1

Thanks.

[Graham Jones]

that's nd filters

[Rob Lohman]

Basically with most camera's you have the following options of
changing the incoming light:

1. shutter speed: usually you want to leave this at a certain setting to have a specific motion blur throughout the movie. Unless done for specific effect (think saving private ryan). So best left untouched

2. iris: closing the iris will cut the incoming light. This will change the depth of field (how far the "subject is in focus" part reaches) which might not be desirable, depending

3. cutting the incoming light

Option 3 is the most used one since the other two change certain
characteristics of your movie. Cutting the incoming light can usually
be done with the following:

1. on board or external ND (cuts incoming light) filter, available in different strengths. Most camera's have at least 1 onboard ND filter in the lens which you can switch on

2. turn the lights down if you are shooting with lights or add diffusion or filtering to them (or block the sun etc.)

That's basically your options...