Histogram on GH1

[pmk396]

While filming various scenes using my GH1, the histogram is excellent for establishing the correct light for a shot. However, when trying to film a scene in a dark room (eg. a room during night-time), the histogram reads that the light in the room is too dark (under exposed) and I need to brighten the room up to get the right reading on the histogram. This does away to the whole concept of shooting a dark room because the room just becomes a normally lit room. Am I relying too much on my histogram for these kinda shots or should I just bring in additional lighting (eg. a soft blue light for the night-time effect)?

 

[Svart]

You have to look at both the histogram and the light meter. I'd advise using an external light meter to do most things until you get used to how the camera's light meter and the external light meter compare. I've found that the meter on the GH1 is very touchy and even changing the metering area, the ( ), ( . ) or . symbols, can give you wildly varying results. I've found the ( . ) to meter the closest to an external light meter for most things however ANY bright point light source in the frame WILL cause you to have falsely high light meter settings. The histogram will show the blowout in this case.

Either way, I use the lightmeter a whole lot more than the histogram.

 

[Ben_B]

You should be actually reading the histogram not waiting to see if it turns white or not. In a dark room you'll see a lot on the dark end but should have stuff in the middle due to your subject having light.