OK Winrock, just for you. And as the original title was misleading I have re-titled my reply.
This is my take after extensive use and experimentation on settings for the Sony FX1/Z1. I do hope other FX1/Z1 users will read this and comment if they have other opinions as this is subjective.
The choice of settings for the Picture Profiles is not as bewildering as might at first be thought. The reason is that the adjustments for AE shift and AGC Limit are only relevant to automatic shooting and WB tweaks you will likely use colored cards. At the level we are discussing here you will of course be in manual mode. Secondly, Gamma should be ON in all circumstances. The default gamma has a real birthday party video that looks like video look, and your preference of 30p, 24p or 60i will be made for other reasons. Skin tone, unless you are doing specialist people close ups can be left at Medium. So in effect, all one needs tweak is Color Level and Sharpness. Z1 users should also stretch blacks in all but bright light.
I tweak Color Level and Sharpness scene by scene using just one profile channel. This is as easy as a changing Profiles and avoids having to remember what your profiles are, and gives more control than the six presets. So as I say, I use the profile set-up as a camera settings menu using the DV channel, #2 and leaving the others profiles at factory default for quick takes where you have no time to make settings.
Regarding the detail adjustment of Color Level and Sharpness this is limited also because color less than default is weak and color +3 or more looks artificial. My tests and experience show me the best color setting for a good film look in normal use is +2. Regarding sharpness there is a similar small range of options. 9 or below looks too soft for impressive HDV and above 12 the picture degrades. My preference is 10, one stop softer than default. I combine these settings with the Gamma ON and Cineframe 30 (24 is nonsense and throws away resolution).
So in summary, MY default is Color +2, Sharpness 10, Gama ON, Cineframe 30 and I have my Zebras set to 90 so I always slightly under-expose. Special circumstances will dictate tweaking as you go. For example, the other day I shot a sharp gravel path and the softish 10 ruined the effect, so I set it to12. A warm evening light might over saturate with the +2 so I may drop to +1 or 0.
Hope this is informative and I would love to hear others views.
Michael
This is my take after extensive use and experimentation on settings for the Sony FX1/Z1. I do hope other FX1/Z1 users will read this and comment if they have other opinions as this is subjective.
The choice of settings for the Picture Profiles is not as bewildering as might at first be thought. The reason is that the adjustments for AE shift and AGC Limit are only relevant to automatic shooting and WB tweaks you will likely use colored cards. At the level we are discussing here you will of course be in manual mode. Secondly, Gamma should be ON in all circumstances. The default gamma has a real birthday party video that looks like video look, and your preference of 30p, 24p or 60i will be made for other reasons. Skin tone, unless you are doing specialist people close ups can be left at Medium. So in effect, all one needs tweak is Color Level and Sharpness. Z1 users should also stretch blacks in all but bright light.
I tweak Color Level and Sharpness scene by scene using just one profile channel. This is as easy as a changing Profiles and avoids having to remember what your profiles are, and gives more control than the six presets. So as I say, I use the profile set-up as a camera settings menu using the DV channel, #2 and leaving the others profiles at factory default for quick takes where you have no time to make settings.
Regarding the detail adjustment of Color Level and Sharpness this is limited also because color less than default is weak and color +3 or more looks artificial. My tests and experience show me the best color setting for a good film look in normal use is +2. Regarding sharpness there is a similar small range of options. 9 or below looks too soft for impressive HDV and above 12 the picture degrades. My preference is 10, one stop softer than default. I combine these settings with the Gamma ON and Cineframe 30 (24 is nonsense and throws away resolution).
So in summary, MY default is Color +2, Sharpness 10, Gama ON, Cineframe 30 and I have my Zebras set to 90 so I always slightly under-expose. Special circumstances will dictate tweaking as you go. For example, the other day I shot a sharp gravel path and the softish 10 ruined the effect, so I set it to12. A warm evening light might over saturate with the +2 so I may drop to +1 or 0.
Hope this is informative and I would love to hear others views.
Michael