LCD/EVF Levels

[flimflamfilms]

Good afternoon.

I shot an interview the other day in which I monitored the subject through the LCD. I used the Zebras (80) to adjust the exposure and everything seemed pretty good. It also looked pretty good in the LCD. But the final result was a little underexposed. It occurred to me that perhaps it all looked good in the LCD because I had perhaps set the LCD too bright. The image in the LCD, I wondered, may not match the image that the CCDs are capturing.

Is there an setting for the LCD which will match what the CCDs are capturing?

My guess is probably not and this is why we use the Zebras. In the example the othe day, even with the Zebras things were a little underexposed.

Lookin' to learn.

Cheers,

John

 

[Barry_Green]

Is there an setting for the LCD which will match what the CCDs are capturing?

NO -- because the LCD's brightness is all dependent on what angle you're viewing the LCD at, and on the prevailing light conditions and on the glare that's hitting the screen.

Forget that, use the zebras instead. Practice with the zebras until you get the right exposure and get a feel for it. Also, why do you think it was underexposed? If you're viewing the footage on a computer it may look underexposed but that might just be the gamma of your monitor. Try viewing the footage on an HDTV.

 

[flimflamfilms]

Barry,

Thanks. I suspected as much. It did not, however, occur to me that my monitor might be the culprit in the underexposure though it makes total sense. I appreciate the advice.

Cheers,

John

 

[ef03]

You should also calibrate your LCD and EVF with your color bars. I think it helps as far as knowing that your monitors are set to spec.

I also try to look through the EVF to make sure things look right. Like Barry said with the LCD the brightness of the monitor can vary by your angle and glare from other lights. Your EVF will help you better because you block out all of the other light.

I also always use the zebras and monitor on a TV while editing. That way there is no guessing what my final output will look like.

 

[flimflamfilms]

ef03,

Thanks for the input. Yes, my LCD/EVF are calibrated using the color bars to as good as my eye can tell.

Do you just use a regular TV while editing, or a broadcast monitor?

Cheers,

John

 

[ef03]

I just use a regular 20" flat screen CRT TV for now (It was given to me for signing a lease at my apartment). It is calibrated with color bars and a blue gel though so it is as close to being setup as it can be.

I am looking for a good used broadcast monitor on ebay or local, but I haven't been able to find what I want for the money that I have to spend right now.

The TV isn't the best for critical color grading, but it is better than using just the computer monitor. This way I at least know exactly what it will look like when played back on a consumer grade TV.