Help - Video too DARK on 24P??

naeem

naeem

Well-known member
I've takes 2 different shoots now, in 24P mode (default settings)...and my videos are coming out REALLY dark!!

I've been shooting combinations of inside and outside shots, and I do set the WB everytime...but they are still coming out too dark!!

It's almost unusable, and I'm trying to figure out what the heck I could be doing wrong!?

If anyone has any insight..pleeeease let me know!


Thx!
 
I'm sure you've already checked this, but make sure the ND filter is off, and check the A.Iris setting in your scene file, make sure it's not down to -4...
 
If you're judging the proper exposure by the brightness of the LCD viewfinder....don't. It is not representative of the actual video.

If you don't have the capability to use a calibrated field monitor, try using the Zebras in the cam to get your highlights up where they should be...and hope the dark areas take care of themselves.

Or, you could re-set the LCD to be closer to what you're actually getting in the video. It won't be exact, but it will be closer. Try setting all the LCD controls to 2 bars at the lower end. Do a test to see if what you are seeing is what you are getting. Those settings on mine bring it a lot closer to reality.

Dan
 
I actually did not change the factory settings in anything..Just cranked the dial to F5 for 24P, and started filming.

Like I said, I'm new at this.., and trying to catch up as QUICKLY as I can!

I just checked the settings, and here's what tehy are set to:

A-Iris = -2
ND Filter = 1/64

So, ND Filter should be OFF?
And you said that the A-Iris should not be all the way down to -4, well it's at -2...what SHOULD it be set to??

Btw, Barry, I bought your Book/DVD...although I wish some of the stuff was a little more geared toward total beginners, still very useful - thank you!

Btw, does anyone know where I can get classroom type training for the DVX in Dallas?
 
huh... you do know how to change the exposure manually, right? Desengaging auto iris and messing with the iris dial...

I'm thinking you are shooting a backlit subject with auto iris on, wich would result in a "dark" image (at least on the subject area)...
 
naeem said:
ND Filter = 1/64

So, ND Filter should be OFF?
Click to expand...

Wow, you bought a very expensive camera without knowing how or what the ND filter is for? :huh: Money to burn! :laugh:

I would highly recommend you spend some time on the basics. Such as how to use the ND filter(s), shutter speed, iris and all the other basics and how they effect the shot. Otherwise, you are going to waste a lot of tape and time.

The good thing is that you have a great camera to learn with. :thumbsup:
 
Well,

I did figure out that the problem is the ND filter... I actually did not get the luxury of getting to know the camera well enough before this gig came up...So I've been picking up as much as I can since then!!

Crap, I can't believe I had the ND Filter on 1/64!! (Now that I know what it does!!)

When I get some time, I plan on doing some experiementing and learning - till then unfortunatly I gotta put it into Auto-everything and shoot.

So is the default A-Iris = -2 on the 24P setting ok? Or should it be a different value?

Thx!
 
there is not "should be" just do it as you like, but it is recomended having it around -2
 
Honestly, I would set your iris to 0 just to begin with, and adjust accordingly. I also believe another poster said this, and i agree with that person, but always use your zebra pattern. Adjust it so there is slightly hot areas where it would be obviously bright, Lights in the back ground, a bright sky, etc.... Just a few tips that should help you rolling. I say use the zebra pattern because you can't trust that LCD flip screen or the viewfinder for that matter as it is also LCD based. It helps if you have access to a monitor to plug into. Anyway, I hope some of this was helpful. Good luck, and may angels dance on your stomach! =)
 
The A.Iris should be set to whatever you want it to be set to. There is no right or wrong setting, necessarily; it all depends on what look you're going for.

When you said you were getting underexposed video, I figured it'd either be due to the ND filter (which it apparently was) or by having the A.Iris setting too low. Each digit on the A.Iris setting accounts for about 1/3 stop of exposure, maybe a little more, so if it was set to -4, the camera would bias towards about 1.5 stops of underexposure. When using CineGamma, it is recommended to underexpose about 1/2 stop, which is about what A.Iris -2 would correspond to.
 
Sigh...

Like a Freshman with the Prom Queen

Getting to know this camera; use default settings in 24p (Whether it be F5 or F6). I am 99.9% of the time in - 3 IRIS.

After framing your shot check:

1. Exposure

Hit AUTO and see what the camera reccomends and then hit AUTO again to go back into Manual.

Select ZEBRAS and look for the stripes on any severe highlights. Dial the exposure down if you need to get rid of the Zebras; Zebras on a white T-Shirt are unacceptable while a ZEBRA on a Chrome Fender reflecting the sun is; remember, expose for the highlights. If your sky is full of Zebras that is a stylistic choice you will have to make. (Thank god for ND Grads).

The camera will reccomend the ND of either 1/8 or 1/64; do as it suggests.

Use standard default shutter speed or OFF unless trying to go Private Ryan style on purpose.

If you find that your subject (Which is really what you want to be exposed for) is still too dark? Then you gonna need more light.

Just some tips
 
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