OT: not enough light?!

Randy Brown wrote on 11/25/2002, 8:28 AM

Sorry guys, this is way off topic but the only Sony PD 150 forum I've found gets a post/response about once a day or less.
I shot my 1st car ad last Thursday in a very bright showroom. I did a white balance several times but anytime I would do a wide shot the image would go dark. This was even with 500 watts of fill light (pointed directly at the talent) on the opposite side of the 3 walls of windows. The camera indicated I needed ND filter 1 turned on, so I did. It was a hectic schedule so I just moved the camera closer (and/or zoomed) and made adjustments in post but I just don't get it. According to the manual, the camera will flash "ND off" if it's not needed but it didn't. The camera is 2 lux so I'm sure it's user error...please help.
TIA,
Randy

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 11/25/2002, 11:07 AM

Were there windows behind the subject as well? When you zoom out, most of the frame could be taken up by the windows and outside daylight, which is typically 50 to 500 times brighter than interior light. The camera was probably adjusting for the brightness of the outside light in those shots.

Check your camera for a "backlight" function, which can more or less correct for this problem. A better solution is to zoom in on the subject and select "exposure hold" if your camera has that. Failing that, adjust the exposure (iris) manually to bring the subject up to the proper brightness.

kkolbo wrote on 11/25/2002, 12:20 PM

I really need more info for this.

If it was asking for the ND filter than you had more than enough light and it needed to be cut down.

Was the auto exposure on?
Were the windows behind the subject?
Did the whole picture go dark or just the background?
Did you add the ND Filter?

It is possible that without the ND filter the auto exposure closed the appature completely on you. You can manully do this as well.

Atuo exposure is good for run-n-gun shots but should not be used in a controlled shoot like that. You have the control over the environment.

Let me know more I and I will try to guess.
I have shot with my PD-150 from near darkness to blazing bright. The fact that it only did this on full wide leads me to belive the guess above is close.

K

Randy Brown wrote on 11/25/2002, 12:30 PM

Hi Kelly and K,
I guess I made the mistake of leaving the switch set to manual as opposed to "hold".I reckon I ASSumed "manual" would turn off any auto adjustments.
I've pasted all of your suggestions on my "checklist" and will have them memorized by my next shoot!
Thanks a bunch guys,
Randy

kkolbo wrote on 11/25/2002, 2:29 PM

That isn't quite it either. You have to push the buttons for each manual setting to put them in manual. If you , for example push the exposure button, but do not set the iris, then the iris will try to do it all. Even the gain control should be put into manual to work the best.

In the view finder you will see the settings for iris, exposure and gain all displayed when you are completely in manual. If you are not seeing all of them then the camera is going to try to adjust the picture itself.

K

Randy Brown wrote on 11/25/2002, 4:49 PM

"If you , for example push the exposure button, but do not set the iris, then the iris will try to do it all."
Even if I switch it to "hold" after making an adjustment on something else?
Thanks K,
Randy

swarrine wrote on 11/25/2002, 5:33 PM

Also, it would be a good idea to bring a monitor (or a TV) to the location. Just have a long enough cable to plug in to your "S" or "RCA" port.

kkolbo wrote on 11/25/2002, 10:27 PM

The hold has never worked for me. If I zoom out the light changes. I find that by setting all in manual and being able to SEE the settings in the view I am sure where they are and I get what I want.

K

John_Cline wrote on 11/26/2002, 1:27 AM

This would have been a perfect situation to use manual exposure and the "zebra" function of the PD150. Just set the "zebra" to 70% and adjust until you just get the zebra pattern on the talent's faces. Or set it to 100% and adjust the exposure so that the cars (or whatever you're shooting) are correctly exposed. This, of course, will totally clip the white level on portions of the image that are considerably brighter than the subject that needs to be exposed properly. Read up on manual exposure and the "zebra" function in the PD150 manual.

You can also go to UrbanFox and look at "Part.3" about setting the exposure and using the zebra function on the PD150.

John

Randy Brown wrote on 11/26/2002, 7:10 AM

Thanks K! Thanks John, and I've been looking for a site like that.
Thanks again guys,
Randy