Over or Underexpose?

longshanks

longshanks

Well-known member
Since my transition from a Sony HDV cam to the DVX I've never been happier. However, I have noticed that while the Sony cam I had, the HVR-Z1U, tended to underexpose the image while the DVX has the tendency to overexpose. I like the bloom or overexpose look better, but it seems to me that an effect like that could better be achieved in post. That said, do most of you DVX users underexpose your image a bit as opposed to going over? Because it is probably better to do that and brighten it up a bit in your NLE than dealing with a hot, overexposed image. When I first got the camera, I overexposed my shots a lot even though I was within the zebra levels. Does the DVX's zebra level go no lower than 80% ?
 
Obviously, the best scenario is to expose properly, then play with it in post.

That said, yeah, I would think it's better to underexpose slightly, rather than overexpose, and then bring it up a little bit in post. Sure, it might bring out some extra noise, but it's better than overexposing and blowing out your highlights, because once they blow out, there's not a lot you can do to get them back.
 
You'll usually have more room in post for correction if you're dead on or under by up to a stop.

e
 
yea i didnt really get this post. use your zebra and your eye lol use the zebras to check if its blown out and then once u got the zebra gone use your eye and see if ur happy with what it looks like and make sure its properly exposed. i dont prefer to over or underexpose lol. just expose it right and do whatever u want in post.
 
gzsnow906 said:
yea i didnt really get this post. use your zebra and your eye lol use the zebras to check if its blown out and then once u got the zebra gone use your eye and see if ur happy with what it looks like and make sure its properly exposed. i dont prefer to over or underexpose lol. just expose it right and do whatever u want in post.
Click to expand...

What's so funny? :laugh:

Really, there are good reasons to sometimes underexpose some or all areas of the frame and the advice on zebras makes a very bold assumption about what level the zebras are set to on the poster's camera.

LOL.

e
 
the post is about getting used to a new camera and how it behaves differently than other cameras (i.e. Sony) also i DO know how to use my zebra and then from there i use my eye to get to the level i want. the interesting thing to note here is that the DVX's limitation on zebra goes only down to 80%. this doesn't allow for a wider dynamic range as the Sony does. i just wanted to know if others are purposely underexposing their shots a little bit to get most or all of the details in the picture.
 
I think the norm is that it's always better to underexpose, but a little overexposure can help create a really cool look. Think Primer, Hard Candy, 28 Days Later. Personally, I like the look over a slightly overexposed shot.
 
I try to get my exposure bang on as much as possible - not over or under (I use adobe onlocation's waveform monitor to judge exposure in my shots whenever I can)

If I'm not attached to the lovely laptop though, I usually start with my Zebras at 100% then check it at 80% (for skin tones etc) - if there is a large area of skin highlights that are a little hot or not bright enough, I might take the iris down or up just a touch - so long as the 100% zebras aren't covering a large portion.

You can actually recover some highlights over 100% (in fact all the way up to 110% for DV or HDV) if you treat your DV footage right in post - for a detailed explanation with adobe Premiere pro (which is what I use) you'd be well served to read The DV rebel's Guide :)

If you find that highlights just keep blowing out, maybe look into things like graduated ND filters (for easing sky detail blowouts) or adding extra light into the darker parts (using a reflector or a.... wait for it........ light!)

Take all of this with a grain of salt though - Shoot what you think looks best to you... after all, it's your shot :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top