Hi, I need help ASAP! Just got my hands on a Z1 to film a corporate/concert event. The room is going be kinda dark with flashy lights, they want a kinda cool raw look. Could anyone please share their profile setting for an event such as this? Its just im not used to a Z1 and havent really got the time to go through every setting, it need to be shot in HDV.

Any help would really be appreciated. Cheers.

The most valuable setting in profiles is black stretch, which gives you more range in the shadows. I find I can get good results without using the profiles.

You would be better served practicing shooting in all manual mode in a spotlight situation. If left in auto mode the camera will over expose because the majority of the frame will be black. Manual mode can be tricky if you're not used to it. So don't take for granted you know how it works. Find a dark room turn off the lights and turn on a desk lamp, see if you can operate the camera in the dark and properly expose and focus the camera.

Totally agree with PETE.....

Thanks guys but time isnt on my side. May have to use a small top light so i think my best bet is to white balance it and just use manual iris.I think this would be the safest? what do you reckon?

That should be fine. I shoot opera performances and they are often REALLY dark but must be shot with available light. For this kind of thing, I find +12db gain boost completely acceptable. You will get some noise, but it isn't all that noticeable and, hey.... it's DARK, what do you expect? :-) I even use +15db in a pinch.