Using the Gain

S

stanw

Active member
Should boosting the Gain always be the last thing considered if adjusting the f-stop or adding more light sources does not take care of a lighting problem? Do you guys even use this feature?

Is there anyway to get rid of the grain from low-light situations created from the gain in post?

Thanks in advance.
 
In the event you're capturing a "news" item, then use the gain to get the shot. But if this is a "planned" shoot, get more light. Once the gain/grain is in, you'll have a tough time in Post.
 
stanw said:
Is there anyway to get rid of the grain from low-light situations created from the gain in post?
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There are some gain removal features in-camera and in post but the cost is softening of the image.

If your lighting isn't sufficient and it's a narrative work, bumping up the gain just makes it look ugly. 3db or 6db might not be noticeable but it also won't help much either.

Gain is more useful in news and documentary style situation where you have to get the shot and there's no way to get more lights in. Image quality is usually secondary to content in that case.
 
You have to balance it based on your needs, there is no simple answer.

Gain equals grain, but sometimes opening up the iris all the way is also not an option because it softens the image or results in shallower depth of field, which may prevent you from keeping the scene in sharp focus.
 
And let's remember that the HVX200 is already a grainy camera. If you rise it more the footage will be lost in the grain....
 
I think the dvcproHD codec is more "grainy" in general. Even shots from the varicam looks to be "grainy" I think it's just how it handels the image. But because of the grain in general from the HVX 3db or 6db isn't all that noticable, depending on what you're shooting.
 
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