LCD Vs Viewfinder

M

mikcheck

Active member
Hello people.


I cant fully trust in PMW 200 LCD (and i guess this happens with pretty much every camera) because the image it's not accurate and it's definately more brighter. I always have to see through viewfinder to make sure the image is fine.


For example: today i shot and interview, and if i relied in LCD the image would probably be a little underexposed, because in the LCD one part of the frame was overexposed but in viewfinder the image was ok and well balanced.


This is a pain because sometimes i need to be quick with some shots to catch some moments and i can't be that fast because i have to check the image in viewfinder as i'm afraid to rely in LCD.


How do you guys do?


Thanks!
 
Not being a smart @$$, but treat it like a "real" camera and just use the VF. I've never used this camera, but in my experience, most on-board flip-out LCD panels are far from accurate. They're ok for framing, going through the menus and footage review(to an extent). Or if you really need to use it while shooting, just learn or keep in mind the deficiencies/weaknesses of it and "know" that when ur image looks over exposed in the LCD that it should be fine being recorded.
 
Heres the thing...i think most people on these cams go off the lcd. Thats what i see on sets where i work. Or get an external monitor, even better.

If youre gonna go lcd though, you can calibrate it (hopefully) to color bars so it is more accurate, or maybe just do some tests where you shoot something and, while watching back footage on a monitor you trust, adjust lcd to look as close to that other monitor as possible. I guess a variety of footage in that case so you know lcd would be accurate for talking heads but also outdoors/sunny day etc.

lastly, and heres a big one, most of us use exposure aids like waveforms, histograms, zebras to help set exposure as your eyes and the lcd cam trick you. I dont know the pmw200 at all but i would all but guarantee it had zebras, and probably a histogram or waveform as well. Learn to read those and youre golden.
 
I use a light meter. Hasn't let me down yet. If you choose to use uncalibrated viewers, well... you have no one to blame but yourself
 
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