XL2 AE Shift vs Gain at DVinfo.net

Guy Godwin · November 27th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Can someone in a simple way explain to me the differences in Gain and AE shift. Through my first 5 weeks of tinkering with the Camera I have left my AE shift on "0".

I know the gain knob can add alot of noise when I start adding some light. What does the AE shift do? and when should I use it?

Tim Bickford · November 27th, 2007, 01:35 PM

Guy-

This may help.

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74676

Martin Catt · November 27th, 2007, 05:24 PM

Simple answer: the AE shift is for those times the auto exposure doesn't give the correct exposure for certain conditions, like when shooting into a strong backlight behind your subject. The camera will expose for the backlight, so the subject will be dark. Use the AE shift on one of the + settings so the camera "overexposes," so the subject will come up lighter.

AE shift is for any time you're working under conditions that cause the camera to over- or underexpose consistently. It lets you "tweak" the auto exposure.

Gain is simply like turning up the volume on your stereo, only for the video signal. I don't know how long you've had your camera, but for me, the Auto gain setting was one of the first things I turned off. Too many times it cranked the gain high enough to where it looked like I was shooting through a pink snowstorm (noise). I usually keep it at 0 or +3. The only time I go higher is for very low-light shooting, like street festivals.

Martin

November 27th, 2007, 10:28 AM	#1
Guy Godwin Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florence, KY Posts: 345	XL2 AE Shift vs Gain Can someone in a simple way explain to me the differences in Gain and AE shift. Through my first 5 weeks of tinkering with the Camera I have left my AE shift on "0". I know the gain knob can add alot of noise when I start adding some light. What does the AE shift do? and when should I use it?

November 27th, 2007, 01:35 PM	#2
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	Guy- This may help. http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74676 __________________ Tim Bickford

November 27th, 2007, 05:24 PM	#3
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Simple answer: the AE shift is for those times the auto exposure doesn't give the correct exposure for certain conditions, like when shooting into a strong backlight behind your subject. The camera will expose for the backlight, so the subject will be dark. Use the AE shift on one of the + settings so the camera "overexposes," so the subject will come up lighter. AE shift is for any time you're working under conditions that cause the camera to over- or underexpose consistently. It lets you "tweak" the auto exposure. Gain is simply like turning up the volume on your stereo, only for the video signal. I don't know how long you've had your camera, but for me, the Auto gain setting was one of the first things I turned off. Too many times it cranked the gain high enough to where it looked like I was shooting through a pink snowstorm (noise). I usually keep it at 0 or +3. The only time I go higher is for very low-light shooting, like street festivals. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod