dvx100b shutter speed

andythefilmer

andythefilmer

Veteran
hey guys! i am still getting used to my new dvx100b. i am trying to adjust the shutter speed and it starts at like 1/48. i have heard that you can have it be at like 1/8. is that true? if so, how do i get there?
 
on my camera, you hit user button 3 and it goes to "slow shutter mode" which you can then choose between 1/6 and 1/12 but the shots are reallly blurry

but that was custom setup for that button by me, so you'll have to go into the camera settings and set it as one of the user buttons
 
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When setting your shutter speed, one must consider what kind of "look" one is shooting for. If you want a "filmic" look at 24fps, then a shutter speed of 1/40 to 1/50 of a second is best. The 24fps progressive mode of the DVX100(A)(B) is intended to emulate 16mm film cameras and these cameras typically shoot at these shutter speeds. The Bolex H16 16mm cameras use 1/50 of a second (although some of the newer "reflex" versions offer a little more latitude) and the Bell and Howell "Filmo" 70 series 16mm cameras use a shutter speed of 1/42 of a second. Any speed slower than this range will produce motion that is very blurred and faster speeds will cause a distinct strobing effect. The ideal shutter speed is approximately 2x the frame rate, so for 24fps it is 1/48 of a second, give or take a bit.

Since my goal is to recreate the 16mm film look as closely as possible (I used to shoot in 16mm), I set my shutter at 1/48 of a second the day I bought it and left it there. This gives me the look I want.
 
You can get slow shutter speeds on the DVX100A and 100B, but you first have to assign "SLOW SHUT" to one of the user buttons and press that user button. That engages the "slow shutter" mode. Then you can change the shutter speed to 1/6, 1/8, 1/12, or 1/15, if memory serves correctly.
 
Andy,
First make sure your shutter is set to off by pressing the shutter button. Then hit your slow shutter user button. Otherwise it will say invalid. You can then use the Sped Sel. button next to Shutter to select the speeds available to you in the mode you are shooting.

In 24p you can get a 1/6 or a 1/12 shutter speed. In 30p 1/4 1/8 1/15, and in 60i 1/4 1/8 1/15 and 1/30th shutter speeds.
 
But there's no real reason to use those slow shutter modes, because the sure as
hell don't make a pretty picture, and if anything your far away from the film look
that everyone loves so much. So really its a feature you probably should stay away
from...It really can bring no good.

Just my two cents.
 
I disagree, it gives you a wild new look. Not conventional, but certainly another brush in your artist's palette. The slower shutter speeds cause a massive increase in brightness, and very blurry posterized-time looks. If you wanted to try to capture taillight streaks from cars on the freeway, 1/6th might get you some of those. It wouldn't be "the film look", certainly, but it's a new look and merits at least playing with.
 
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