Setting Exposure on XL1S at DVinfo.net

Mark A. Foley · August 4th, 2003, 06:45 AM

Although I'm not proficient enough to goto total manual settings as of yet, I'm slowing migrating from letting the camera adjust everything...in this case/question is exposure. When setting up for a shot...would it be best to let the camera set the original exposure and them hit exposure lock to keep the camera from adjusting the brightness of the image?
Mark

Jeff Donald · August 4th, 2003, 07:24 AM

No, not a good idea. If you move the camera (pan, tilt etc.) then the exposure will change. Try going full manual. Set the shutter speed to 1/60 of a second and leave it. Use the zebra bars in the viewfinder to judge exposure. Open or close the aperture till the bars just go away. This may be a little too dark (or light) so adjust for personal taste. Once you start shooting this way you won't go back. But you'll have to practice at first, to learn the exposure level that you like.

Mark A. Foley · August 4th, 2003, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the quick response Jeff...I would assume with the process your described, if the overall exposure was a tad off, a simple post production tweek would be all that is needed?

Mark A. Foley · August 4th, 2003, 07:59 AM

One more thing/question with the manual mode...the epxosure meter that pops up in the view finder...you try to center the meter...is this correct?

Mark A. Foley · August 4th, 2003, 08:02 AM

I hit submit before asking this also Jeff/all...what percentage of zebra do you typically have the camera set for? 80...90...100?

Bill Ravens · August 4th, 2003, 08:18 AM

depends on what your highlights are. normalskin tones are around 70, for bright light, plus a little margin, I use 90%

Jeff Donald · August 4th, 2003, 10:14 AM

As Bill pointed out, it varies. Go out and shoot some footage and experiment. You'll quickly find the settings that work best for you.

Mark A. Foley · August 5th, 2003, 10:49 AM

Thanks Jeff...last night after I finished with some editing work I hooked up the XL1s to a NTSC monitor and played/experimitted with different setting in manual mode...I learned allot of what the camera is telling me...via meter/zebra (and how that translate to picture quality)....

Not sure why I ever used the auto settings in the first place....LOL
Mark

Jeff Donald · August 5th, 2003, 08:50 PM

Keep practicing, indoors, outdoors, different light levels and types. It's not too hard, you just have to work at it a little. I'm glad it's working for you.

August 4th, 2003, 06:45 AM	#1
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Setting Exposure on XL1S Although I'm not proficient enough to goto total manual settings as of yet, I'm slowing migrating from letting the camera adjust everything...in this case/question is exposure. When setting up for a shot...would it be best to let the camera set the original exposure and them hit exposure lock to keep the camera from adjusting the brightness of the image? Mark

August 4th, 2003, 07:24 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	No, not a good idea. If you move the camera (pan, tilt etc.) then the exposure will change. Try going full manual. Set the shutter speed to 1/60 of a second and leave it. Use the zebra bars in the viewfinder to judge exposure. Open or close the aperture till the bars just go away. This may be a little too dark (or light) so adjust for personal taste. Once you start shooting this way you won't go back. But you'll have to practice at first, to learn the exposure level that you like. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 4th, 2003, 10:14 AM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	As Bill pointed out, it varies. Go out and shoot some footage and experiment. You'll quickly find the settings that work best for you. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 5th, 2003, 08:50 PM	#9
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Keep practicing, indoors, outdoors, different light levels and types. It's not too hard, you just have to work at it a little. I'm glad it's working for you. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 4th, 2003, 07:34 AM	#3
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Thanks for the quick response Jeff...I would assume with the process your described, if the overall exposure was a tad off, a simple post production tweek would be all that is needed?

August 4th, 2003, 07:59 AM	#4
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	One more thing/question with the manual mode...the epxosure meter that pops up in the view finder...you try to center the meter...is this correct?

August 4th, 2003, 08:02 AM	#5
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	I hit submit before asking this also Jeff/all...what percentage of zebra do you typically have the camera set for? 80...90...100?

August 4th, 2003, 08:18 AM	#6
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	depends on what your highlights are. normalskin tones are around 70, for bright light, plus a little margin, I use 90%

August 5th, 2003, 10:49 AM	#8
Mark A. Foley Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bonaire, Ga. Posts: 356	Thanks Jeff...last night after I finished with some editing work I hooked up the XL1s to a NTSC monitor and played/experimitted with different setting in manual mode...I learned allot of what the camera is telling me...via meter/zebra (and how that translate to picture quality).... Not sure why I ever used the auto settings in the first place....LOL Mark