Can't get good footage with XF300 at DVinfo.net

Syeed Ali · April 8th, 2011, 02:58 AM

I've used the XF300 a few times now and whilst it looks great on the cameras viewscreen when recording, when I view it later it looks over exposed and washed out. Which means I have to do things in post.

On the XHA1, the reproduction from monitor to recording viewed on PC was very similar and the footage looked great. The XF300... crap.

Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Does the viewscreen need to be set up?

All very frustrating.

Daniel Gustafsson · April 8th, 2011, 03:26 AM

Have you tried using the waveform monitor? What you see is not always what you get since the LCD might be in direct sunlight or a difficult position which makes it harder to see if you have correct exposure or not.

Tim Bakland · April 8th, 2011, 08:23 AM

I've found that the LCD screen does show less exposure than you're actually getting, but only slightly. Yes, I'd definitely agree with using the waveform monitor to help your eye, especially given that the flip-screen can mislead toward slight over-exposure.

Your description, though, sounds more pronounced than what I've found.

Syeed Ali · April 8th, 2011, 02:39 PM

I've played around with the wave monitor, but I have no idea how it works.

Are there any online tutorials anywhere?

Tim Bakland · April 8th, 2011, 08:06 PM

Of course! You're on one right here (in dvinfo.net).

The manual should give you the basics. Doug Jensen's video on the XF300/5 is a great buy, too, if you want more hands-on detail.

But why not just turn on the monitor, go out and give it a try in various situations of brightness and see how it works for you in a non-pressure situation? That's, for me, always the best way to learn something.

Antony Michael Wilson · April 9th, 2011, 09:53 AM

Are you using the zebras?

Also second the waveform comments: It's a massive bonus having a WFM in a camera. Okay, it's not really the world's best waveform trace and it's quite hard to see it properly but I have to say that it's quite hard to get exposure badly wrong on this camera if you use the zebras in conjunction with the waveform. Personally, I put very little faith in the EVF or LCD screen on any camera at this price point when it comes to judging exposure or colour. Use the tools that are built-in and you should be fine. I just spent a couple of hours filming with a 305 and even on the run 90% of the images are well exposed.

Just persevere, learn how to use a waveform monitor and you'll be absolutely fine. It's a great camera, don't worry!

April 8th, 2011, 02:58 AM	#1
Syeed Ali Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 161	Can't get good footage with XF300 I've used the XF300 a few times now and whilst it looks great on the cameras viewscreen when recording, when I view it later it looks over exposed and washed out. Which means I have to do things in post. On the XHA1, the reproduction from monitor to recording viewed on PC was very similar and the footage looked great. The XF300... crap. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Does the viewscreen need to be set up? All very frustrating.

April 8th, 2011, 03:26 AM	#2
Daniel Gustafsson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 5	Re: Can't get good footage with XF300 Have you tried using the waveform monitor? What you see is not always what you get since the LCD might be in direct sunlight or a difficult position which makes it harder to see if you have correct exposure or not.

April 8th, 2011, 08:23 AM	#3
Tim Bakland Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beverly, MA Posts: 512	Re: Can't get good footage with XF300 I've found that the LCD screen does show less exposure than you're actually getting, but only slightly. Yes, I'd definitely agree with using the waveform monitor to help your eye, especially given that the flip-screen can mislead toward slight over-exposure. Your description, though, sounds more pronounced than what I've found. __________________ Event Videography, New England www.timothybakland.com

April 8th, 2011, 02:39 PM	#4
Syeed Ali Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 161	Re: Can't get good footage with XF300 I've played around with the wave monitor, but I have no idea how it works. Are there any online tutorials anywhere?

April 8th, 2011, 08:06 PM	#5
Tim Bakland Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beverly, MA Posts: 512	Re: Can't get good footage with XF300 Of course! You're on one right here (in dvinfo.net). The manual should give you the basics. Doug Jensen's video on the XF300/5 is a great buy, too, if you want more hands-on detail. But why not just turn on the monitor, go out and give it a try in various situations of brightness and see how it works for you in a non-pressure situation? That's, for me, always the best way to learn something. __________________ Event Videography, New England www.timothybakland.com

April 9th, 2011, 09:53 AM	#6
Antony Michael Wilson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 343	Re: Can't get good footage with XF300 Are you using the zebras? Also second the waveform comments: It's a massive bonus having a WFM in a camera. Okay, it's not really the world's best waveform trace and it's quite hard to see it properly but I have to say that it's quite hard to get exposure badly wrong on this camera if you use the zebras in conjunction with the waveform. Personally, I put very little faith in the EVF or LCD screen on any camera at this price point when it comes to judging exposure or colour. Use the tools that are built-in and you should be fine. I just spent a couple of hours filming with a 305 and even on the run 90% of the images are well exposed. Just persevere, learn how to use a waveform monitor and you'll be absolutely fine. It's a great camera, don't worry!