Sony 390L question at DVinfo.net

Brandon Carter · March 12th, 2009, 08:19 AM

I have a sony 390L dv cam with a fujinon lens. On this camera is a nob with several filters : 3200K, 5600K, 5600K +1/8nd, 5600k+1/64nd. I know that these are filters and control the amount of light allowed into the camera, atleast thats how it seems. But specifically what do these numbers mean and which should be used in certain situations. Is it more than just lighting?? I have used this camera for over a year, but do not have an owners manual so there are still some things I dont know. I do know one thing, this thing lays some beautiful SD footage!

Bill Ward · March 12th, 2009, 12:04 PM

It's pretty straight forward. You generally use the 3200 filter when you are indoors or are using incandescent /tungsten lighting. 5600 is for daylight, or if you are using HMI type lighting.

The nd (neutral density) filters simply take out different degrees of light intensity. They don't alter the color balance at all. The sweet spot on most lenses is generally in the middle of the iris range, F4-8 or so. If it is so bright out that you're up at F16, or even at F16 the picture is blowing out, you rotate in more power from the nd wheel until you get the exposure you want.

Now, just to make things more complicated (or easy), most cameras will color balance correctly from either the 3200 or 5600 filters, unless the light color temperature is too extreme. For instance, early morning, no direct sunlight in shadows may color balance at 10K or higher, and it may be outside the range of the camera to go that high, if you are starting with the 3200 wheel. But in normal, mixed light use, you can get the camera to color balance either way.

Just remember that the 5600 filter will steal a little light, so it may not be the best choice for low-light indoor shooting.

Ivan Snoeckx · March 12th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Hi Brandon,

Here is the operation manual from the DSR-390 in PDF format.

http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/3776646121.pdf

Hope this helps!

Brandon Carter · March 12th, 2009, 07:34 PM

awesome, I have been looking for a manual on this camera and for some reason I could find hundreds of other cams but not the 390L. Thanks, this answers allot of questions.

Ivan Snoeckx · March 13th, 2009, 07:22 AM

Good to hear you liked it!

Guy Cochran · March 14th, 2009, 11:31 AM

Ah, I used to have the 390L. Nice camera. Almost all the full sized cameras have the main functions like ND, Gain, shutter, WB, peaking, etc. all in the same place so it's easy to jump from camera to camera.
I put together a short tutorial on full sized broadcast cameras that might help you with a quick overview. Broadcast camera basics

March 12th, 2009, 08:19 AM	#1
Brandon Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 76	Sony 390L question I have a sony 390L dv cam with a fujinon lens. On this camera is a nob with several filters : 3200K, 5600K, 5600K +1/8nd, 5600k+1/64nd. I know that these are filters and control the amount of light allowed into the camera, atleast thats how it seems. But specifically what do these numbers mean and which should be used in certain situations. Is it more than just lighting?? I have used this camera for over a year, but do not have an owners manual so there are still some things I dont know. I do know one thing, this thing lays some beautiful SD footage!

March 14th, 2009, 11:31 AM	#6
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Ah, I used to have the 390L. Nice camera. Almost all the full sized cameras have the main functions like ND, Gain, shutter, WB, peaking, etc. all in the same place so it's easy to jump from camera to camera. I put together a short tutorial on full sized broadcast cameras that might help you with a quick overview. Broadcast camera basics __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

March 12th, 2009, 12:04 PM	#2
Bill Ward Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 580	It's pretty straight forward. You generally use the 3200 filter when you are indoors or are using incandescent /tungsten lighting. 5600 is for daylight, or if you are using HMI type lighting. The nd (neutral density) filters simply take out different degrees of light intensity. They don't alter the color balance at all. The sweet spot on most lenses is generally in the middle of the iris range, F4-8 or so. If it is so bright out that you're up at F16, or even at F16 the picture is blowing out, you rotate in more power from the nd wheel until you get the exposure you want. Now, just to make things more complicated (or easy), most cameras will color balance correctly from either the 3200 or 5600 filters, unless the light color temperature is too extreme. For instance, early morning, no direct sunlight in shadows may color balance at 10K or higher, and it may be outside the range of the camera to go that high, if you are starting with the 3200 wheel. But in normal, mixed light use, you can get the camera to color balance either way. Just remember that the 5600 filter will steal a little light, so it may not be the best choice for low-light indoor shooting.

March 12th, 2009, 03:43 PM	#3
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Hi Brandon, Here is the operation manual from the DSR-390 in PDF format. http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/3776646121.pdf Hope this helps!

March 12th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#4
Brandon Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 76	awesome, I have been looking for a manual on this camera and for some reason I could find hundreds of other cams but not the 390L. Thanks, this answers allot of questions.

March 13th, 2009, 07:22 AM	#5
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Good to hear you liked it!