GL2 Low light properties at DVinfo.net

Hans Kuipers · October 4th, 2002, 03:01 AM

What about the "low light" properties of the GL2. Is it possible to shoot inside a church? or will the result be "grainy" because you have to increase the gain to much. Can someone give a link of a footage shot in a church?

Barry Goyette · October 4th, 2002, 04:52 PM

It would of course depend on the church, but I think most modern churches have pretty adequate lighting, that would require little or no gain increase with the gl2...(gain being the source of any grain.)

Barry

(no church stuff, but check the other two low light threads for a clip in a very dimly lit restaurant.)

Hans Kuipers · October 4th, 2002, 05:16 PM

Hi Barry,

I saw that clip and to be honest I was not really excited about it but maybe I am expecting to much of a digital camcorder. Initially I wanted to buy the PD150 but reading all the comments on this forum I decided that the PD150 is probably only marginal better in low light and audio and not worth the extra money. So I will go for the GL2 as soon as it available in The Netherlands where I live. Thanks for your constructive comments. I hope I can make use of your expertise again when I need it :-))))

Barry Goyette · October 4th, 2002, 05:54 PM

Odessa

I think you're right on by de-emphasizing low light capabilties, as it is really a non issue for all of these cameras, they all do a pretty good job...could they do better...sure...do they need to, (or should they?) ...not unless we all decide that the only way to make a great film is to shoot in a cave.

I'm glad, as the clip I posted wasn't meant to impress...it was designed to show a worst case situation where the gl2 was able to produce an image that was actually brighter than what was visible...and thus allay any fears that the gl2 might be inadequate in low light, and that even maxed out, the image is usable. If I was in filmmaker mode, I might have told the dancer to stay in an area where the light was brightest...or asked the restaurant to turn up the dimmers a bit. But I think its useful to know the limits of the camera as well.

I probably should have shown some footage taken later in the street using light emanating from a closed rug shop...I was able to shoot at 0db, and produce outstanding images of my friends peaking in at the rugs inside....it might have impressed more....but again none of these situations give us much quantitative information, other than that the GL2 can be used at night. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck on your purchase.

Barry

Bill Hardy · October 5th, 2002, 07:39 PM

Odessadream, I may get some church footage for you tomorrow evening and post it on my web page.

Bill Hardy · October 6th, 2002, 11:47 AM

Got the church clip here:

http://homepage.mac.com/bhardy3/iMovieTheater14.html

It was done hastily though. I can't see any problem with church lighting, in fact I had to go down a click or two with exposure dial on left front of GL2.

This church was small and had plenty od ambient window light, incandecent and florecent lighting. The GL2 did pretty good considering it had to deal with three types of lighting at once.

October 4th, 2002, 03:01 AM	#1
Hans Kuipers Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 61	GL2 and low light What about the "low light" properties of the GL2. Is it possible to shoot inside a church? or will the result be "grainy" because you have to increase the gain to much. Can someone give a link of a footage shot in a church?

October 4th, 2002, 05:16 PM	#3
Hans Kuipers Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 61	to Barry Hi Barry, I saw that clip and to be honest I was not really excited about it but maybe I am expecting to much of a digital camcorder. Initially I wanted to buy the PD150 but reading all the comments on this forum I decided that the PD150 is probably only marginal better in low light and audio and not worth the extra money. So I will go for the GL2 as soon as it available in The Netherlands where I live. Thanks for your constructive comments. I hope I can make use of your expertise again when I need it :-))))

October 4th, 2002, 04:52 PM	#2
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	It would of course depend on the church, but I think most modern churches have pretty adequate lighting, that would require little or no gain increase with the gl2...(gain being the source of any grain.) Barry (no church stuff, but check the other two low light threads for a clip in a very dimly lit restaurant.)

October 4th, 2002, 05:54 PM	#4
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Odessa I think you're right on by de-emphasizing low light capabilties, as it is really a non issue for all of these cameras, they all do a pretty good job...could they do better...sure...do they need to, (or should they?) ...not unless we all decide that the only way to make a great film is to shoot in a cave. I'm glad, as the clip I posted wasn't meant to impress...it was designed to show a worst case situation where the gl2 was able to produce an image that was actually brighter than what was visible...and thus allay any fears that the gl2 might be inadequate in low light, and that even maxed out, the image is usable. If I was in filmmaker mode, I might have told the dancer to stay in an area where the light was brightest...or asked the restaurant to turn up the dimmers a bit. But I think its useful to know the limits of the camera as well. I probably should have shown some footage taken later in the street using light emanating from a closed rug shop...I was able to shoot at 0db, and produce outstanding images of my friends peaking in at the rugs inside....it might have impressed more....but again none of these situations give us much quantitative information, other than that the GL2 can be used at night. Your mileage may vary. Good luck on your purchase. Barry

October 5th, 2002, 07:39 PM	#5
Bill Hardy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 205	Odessadream, I may get some church footage for you tomorrow evening and post it on my web page.

October 6th, 2002, 11:47 AM	#6
Bill Hardy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 205	Got the church clip here: http://homepage.mac.com/bhardy3/iMovieTheater14.html It was done hastily though. I can't see any problem with church lighting, in fact I had to go down a click or two with exposure dial on left front of GL2. This church was small and had plenty od ambient window light, incandecent and florecent lighting. The GL2 did pretty good considering it had to deal with three types of lighting at once.