XM2 Full Auto mode at DVinfo.net

Robin Davies-Rollinson · February 23rd, 2004, 09:00 AM

Am I right in thinking that the XM2 in full auto mode will not apply the full amount of gain available (18db) but it has to be added using the rotary control?
At least, this is what happens on my particular camera.

Robin.

Joe Lloyd · February 23rd, 2004, 02:58 PM

Hmmm mine seems to turn the gain up all the time in full auto.

Alan McCormick · February 23rd, 2004, 03:02 PM

Robin,

The Cam will change all exposure settings automatically depending on the light situation. I have never used Full Auto for long as you never have control.

As for your statement about NOT going to 18dB gain in Full Auto I suspect the Cam just did not have to in your particular shoot. Saying that I am sure it would if the light was low enough.

I am sure one of the technical guys will comment further but do yourself a huge favour and try the manual settings ;) Good Luck

Robin Davies-Rollinson · February 24th, 2004, 01:37 AM

Thanks guys - I should add that as a pro I always use the manual controls. It was just that I was allowing my daughter to try out the camera and it seemed to me that the gain wasn't kicking in when it should have. I then put it through tests going from normal conditions to dark areas where I wouild have expected to see all the gain being used. The only way I could do this was to press in the knurled ring and increase exposure, press the ring again and suddenly it would all happen. May be a fault, hence the query.

Robin.

Alan McCormick · February 24th, 2004, 02:48 AM

After I replied to your earlier post I had a look at your website - :(
You put me in the dark, I guess it is/was a fault. Initially I thought you may not have understood the concept, I am wrong.

OT - I also had a look at your XM2 beachtec set-up photos and was impressed too. You have made the small XM2 look pretty cool.

Hope you suss out the problem.

Joe Lloyd · February 24th, 2004, 01:45 PM

Just tested mine in full auto in real low light, it did use gain but only 12db. Won't seem to go up all the way.....

Robin Davies-Rollinson · February 24th, 2004, 04:05 PM

Joe,
That's exactly it. It seems the only way to get full 18db gain is to overide auto and "dial" it on the knurled ring.
Perhaps it's inherent in the design, though why it should be so, I don't understand.;-)

Robin.

Alan McCormick · February 25th, 2004, 12:09 AM

I had a go last night in Full Auto indoors, when I checked the exposure "sometimes" it had gone to 18dB and others only 12dB.

Did not like it anyway as it was too grainy and bright but tried it to check out the problem.

Don't know if it is built in problem???????

Joe Lloyd · February 25th, 2004, 01:07 PM

Maybe Canon did this on purpose because of the grainy look of 18db?

February 23rd, 2004, 09:00 AM	#1
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	XM2 Full Auto mode Am I right in thinking that the XM2 in full auto mode will not apply the full amount of gain available (18db) but it has to be added using the rotary control? At least, this is what happens on my particular camera. Robin.

February 23rd, 2004, 02:58 PM	#2
Joe Lloyd Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 202	Hmmm mine seems to turn the gain up all the time in full auto. __________________ Catalina Productions http://www.catalina.co.nz

February 23rd, 2004, 03:02 PM	#3
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Robin, The Cam will change all exposure settings automatically depending on the light situation. I have never used Full Auto for long as you never have control. As for your statement about NOT going to 18dB gain in Full Auto I suspect the Cam just did not have to in your particular shoot. Saying that I am sure it would if the light was low enough. I am sure one of the technical guys will comment further but do yourself a huge favour and try the manual settings ;) Good Luck __________________ Alan McC

February 24th, 2004, 02:48 AM	#5
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	After I replied to your earlier post I had a look at your website - :( You put me in the dark, I guess it is/was a fault. Initially I thought you may not have understood the concept, I am wrong. OT - I also had a look at your XM2 beachtec set-up photos and was impressed too. You have made the small XM2 look pretty cool. Hope you suss out the problem. __________________ Alan McC

February 24th, 2004, 01:45 PM	#6
Joe Lloyd Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 202	Just tested mine in full auto in real low light, it did use gain but only 12db. Won't seem to go up all the way..... __________________ Catalina Productions http://www.catalina.co.nz

February 24th, 2004, 01:37 AM	#4
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Thanks guys - I should add that as a pro I always use the manual controls. It was just that I was allowing my daughter to try out the camera and it seemed to me that the gain wasn't kicking in when it should have. I then put it through tests going from normal conditions to dark areas where I wouild have expected to see all the gain being used. The only way I could do this was to press in the knurled ring and increase exposure, press the ring again and suddenly it would all happen. May be a fault, hence the query. Robin.

February 24th, 2004, 04:05 PM	#7
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Joe, That's exactly it. It seems the only way to get full 18db gain is to overide auto and "dial" it on the knurled ring. Perhaps it's inherent in the design, though why it should be so, I don't understand.;-) Robin.

February 25th, 2004, 12:09 AM	#8
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	I had a go last night in Full Auto indoors, when I checked the exposure "sometimes" it had gone to 18dB and others only 12dB. Did not like it anyway as it was too grainy and bright but tried it to check out the problem. Don't know if it is built in problem??????? __________________ Alan McC

February 25th, 2004, 01:07 PM	#9
Joe Lloyd Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 202	Maybe Canon did this on purpose because of the grainy look of 18db? __________________ Catalina Productions http://www.catalina.co.nz