HPX170 - low light - lcd screen vs actual recording...

ciencin

Well-known member
I shot some stuff under very low light, while recording I was monitoring the lcd screen, and even though the room was very poorly lit I could still see some detail on the lcd....

Then the next day transferred the footage to my mac and you can barely see anything at all... Scenes where I would have seen people on the lcd screen while recording, now cannot be seen on the mac.
So my question is: Is this solely due to the brightness settings on my mac or is there actually a difference in the ammount of detail you see on the lcd screen vs the final result?

(I'll see if I can post up some sample footage later today)
 
I have NEVER had positive results from using my LCD screen on my original HVX. After struggling for months and months I decided to only use the LCD screen when I want to navigate menus. I use the viewfinder for everything. It might be that your LCD's brightness is set up to high? Did you try to up the exposure in your NLE to see if there is some detail that's been underexposed?
 
My experience with my HPX170, is that the LCD always shows a little more detail. The viewfinder the contrary, feels a little darker. So when I have a doubt I look at both to find a middle ground. Also, I have notice the LED from my macbook pro tends to show more details than let's say a plasma. I have to decrease quite a bit the brightness of the LED screen to match what will be displayed on a TV (plus LED are generally brighter). Moreover, on the HPX you have the waveform monitor that helps me to judge exposure in low light... (but your signature says HVX200....)

I also have been noticing more noise on the laptop screen than what is displayed on a plasma, or a theater screen. (What I did is use the plasma as a 2nd monitor of the computer via the mini display port, and compare the picture..... )

Hopefully it helps....
 
I have used the HPX170 waveform monitor as a reality check. It's VERY reliable!

A big second on the waveform!!!

The waveforms on the HPX170s are one of my top 3 favorite things about the camera. I have it on on the LCD and off in the EVF.

I also make sure my brightness settings are set down/low for the 170's screens. And just as an added step I have my zebras on to make sure I'm not blowing important stuff out, when NOT in low light conditions.
 
Back
Top