What is the best setting for the gain on XL1 and what are the + and - in using during filming of short films?What type of look can it give?Does it effect shutter speed and f-stop or picture Q overall?Also what is the best shutter speed to shot an image on a TV?What is the best shutter speed used for normal filming?What is normal f-stop used for low-light and Near dark like a dramatic silhouette I am shoting with out the aid of filters and i have to shot a scence just shows a man silhouette in a room?but with backlight of hallway?
Thanks for the help the Watchdog Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gain?

Try doing a search on "gain" and you will find numerous threads that discuss this manual control as well as others.

In short: Less Gain, Less GRain. (Better, smoother pic)

But it can be a lifesaver as it does affect the exposure, allowing you to shoot in darker situations.

The Best thing to do is to hook up a (properly adjusted) tv to the video (only) outputs of the camera and you will see it all - Live. Make an adjustment and you will see it immediately. Get it right and shoot it. Once you get the hang of it, it won't be necessary to do this, but it is the only way to see what's really going on.

You ask alot of questions...lol

OK... Here's my stab at them.........

What is the best setting for the gain on XL1 and what are the + and - in using during filming of short films?

A. That is a loaded question..... It all depends on the variables you are dealing with, but...... 0 (zero) does a very fine job of making a nice picture... I use that when I am shooting outdoors. I have, on occasion gone to (-3), but that was only to reduce the f-stop to a more open setting to decrease depth of field. Shooting interiors and night shots, I use (+6) on a regular basis. I should also note here I use "frame mode" 99% of the time. I can't explain it technically, but there is something about the (+6) setting in combonation with frame mode that does something to the picture I like. I have clients that stand at the monitor and swear this is 16mm film. That goes for editors too. As a matter of fact, I heard an argument between 2 supposed "engineers" who were argueing whether this was 16 or 35mm. NO JOKE>LOL

What type of look can it give?

A. The best thing to do is to experiment with ALL of the gain settings... If you have an XL-1s... take it to the (+30) setting and then dial ALL the color out... It's a really great black and white "grainy look".

Does it effect shutter speed and f-stop or picture Q overall?

A. yes... yes... and yes Think of the gain setting as an adjustable film speed setting. If you are familiar with "pushing" film, then that is really a better description. I could go on about this, but that is probably a whole thread unto it's own.

Also what is the best shutter speed to shot an image on a TV?

A. 60 should work fine... if you are shooting a computer monitor, then that is a whole different can of worms which you will need the XL-1s for.

What is the best shutter speed used for normal filming?

A. 60 works fine

What is normal f-stop used for low-light and Near dark like a dramatic silhouette I am shoting with out the aid of filters and i have to shot a scence just shows a man silhouette in a room?but with backlight of hallway?

A. In a silhouette... the background is exposed properly and there is just a "lack of light" on your subject. If he has to come thru the door... shoot a back light into the room to edge him out and let the room be down too, unless you want to put a pattern ont he wall or something from a light outside... Honestly, it all a matter of "taste". You don't need a filter. In my opinion, this is where the XL-1 shines... light it right and you may be surprised.

hope this helps

chuc

PS experiment, experiment, experiment

I am DP ing a short film Iwill shot it with XL1 and then reshot the a with a 365% degree Camera wish me good Luck on that anybody every done this?. Thank you for the advise chuc is ok to give you a call? I will use it to help on this shot for some reason the director does not want to shot in frame mode I not sure how this will affect the overall Q of the picture but I have Listen to My dir or show some test other wise?
I will run some Test in +6 vs 0 I found that -3 in low light does not give much f-stop to play with.I will use 1/60 shutter speed in the prodution. In the Silhouette I will put a key light with some diffusion and then have one of the bedroom has backlight.He also wants to shot in 16:9 by nine but from what I have read this not good idea i may have no choice but to do this how much of loss will result from this ?