Best Low Light Preset

Randy Panado · April 14th, 2009, 04:35 AM

with the Xh-A1, I'd rather gain up to +6db than go down to 1/30 shutter (if I'm shooting in 60i). My personal preference.

Randy Panado · April 14th, 2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hubert Duijzer

As Bill said, PFVision is the best for low light. It's better than Wolfgang's +6/+12db presets.

Shooting without presets is also not a bad idea for low light, most presets darken the image a little.

Hi Hubert,

I found that PFVision doesn't really differ much from the brightness of the stock A1 image yet retains the color when in low light, which is what I struggled with most before in post...trying to push colors out of a very low light image.

I also tried wolfgangs stuff before developing Pfvision and it caused too much ghosting and the image looked a bit "hazy".

Hubert Duijzer · April 14th, 2009, 05:02 AM

Hi Randy,

That's exact my experience. With "most presets darken the image a little." i didn't mean the PFVision preset, but most of the others. I've used wolfgang's presets quite a bit and the ghosting is really nasty. It must be the noise reduction. Your preset is quite a lot brighter, i think it is comparable on +6db with wolfgang's on +12db.
Another thing, PFVision in daylight is good for some nice saturated colors, didn't look bad too my eyes.

Don Kinsley · April 14th, 2009, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Randy (and others)- what do you suggest i have the camera on? Auto with 3-6 db or Manual? If manual, what settings for the shutter and iris?

Thanks for your help.
- Don

Randy Panado · April 15th, 2009, 02:47 AM

Cheers Hubert. I shot a wedding with PFvision and it had some great colors, REALLY popped. Must be careful not to overexpose though as it looks bad when you do and its hard to salvage in post. Most would prefer to dial down the colors for a bit more room for mistake on exposure.

Don - I always shoot in M with my A1 (when I had it). If you're shooting in 60i in lowlight, I'd throw it in Manual, turn OFF AGC, keep the shutter at 1/60 and first try seeing if you have enough light without gaining up. If not, gain up to +3 then to +6. I would try to not go above that. At that point, I'd brighten it up in post. +12db is highly unusable for my personal taste.

You would keep the shutter constant at 1/60 and use the Iris to adjust exposure in most cases. Spend some time getting familiar with manual mode, as you play with the settings and watch your exposure, you'll never go back to auto again (unless of course it's an emergency).

Bill Grant · April 25th, 2009, 12:01 PM

I would also like to add that I use 1/30 shutter in almost every reception and some dimly lit ceremonies. But, I'm no "expert" or whatever, so I value content over anything else. I try to maintain the perspective of the client, and to my eyes 1/30 shutter on 60i footage looks fine. There is a slight stutter on the LCD but not in the finished footage. It makes a huge difference in the long run...
Bill

April 25th, 2009, 12:01 PM	#21
Bill Grant Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 806	I would also like to add that I use 1/30 shutter in almost every reception and some dimly lit ceremonies. But, I'm no "expert" or whatever, so I value content over anything else. I try to maintain the perspective of the client, and to my eyes 1/30 shutter on 60i footage looks fine. There is a slight stutter on the LCD but not in the finished footage. It makes a huge difference in the long run... Bill __________________ Cinema Couture www.cinemacouture.com

April 14th, 2009, 04:35 AM	#16
Randy Panado Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 643	with the Xh-A1, I'd rather gain up to +6db than go down to 1/30 shutter (if I'm shooting in 60i). My personal preference.

April 14th, 2009, 05:02 AM	#18
Hubert Duijzer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 177	Hi Randy, That's exact my experience. With "most presets darken the image a little." i didn't mean the PFVision preset, but most of the others. I've used wolfgang's presets quite a bit and the ghosting is really nasty. It must be the noise reduction. Your preset is quite a lot brighter, i think it is comparable on +6db with wolfgang's on +12db. Another thing, PFVision in daylight is good for some nice saturated colors, didn't look bad too my eyes.

April 14th, 2009, 07:58 AM	#19
Don Kinsley New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 21	Thanks for the replies. Randy (and others)- what do you suggest i have the camera on? Auto with 3-6 db or Manual? If manual, what settings for the shutter and iris? Thanks for your help. - Don

April 15th, 2009, 02:47 AM	#20
Randy Panado Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 643	Cheers Hubert. I shot a wedding with PFvision and it had some great colors, REALLY popped. Must be careful not to overexpose though as it looks bad when you do and its hard to salvage in post. Most would prefer to dial down the colors for a bit more room for mistake on exposure. Don - I always shoot in M with my A1 (when I had it). If you're shooting in 60i in lowlight, I'd throw it in Manual, turn OFF AGC, keep the shutter at 1/60 and first try seeing if you have enough light without gaining up. If not, gain up to +3 then to +6. I would try to not go above that. At that point, I'd brighten it up in post. +12db is highly unusable for my personal taste. You would keep the shutter constant at 1/60 and use the Iris to adjust exposure in most cases. Spend some time getting familiar with manual mode, as you play with the settings and watch your exposure, you'll never go back to auto again (unless of course it's an emergency).