How much difference is 2 lux? at DVinfo.net

Monte Merritt · March 9th, 2004, 10:47 AM

How much difference is 1 lux from 3 lux? I am considering two cameras that have a minimum illumination difference of 2 lux. I know 1 lux is the equivalent of a candle, but that doesn't really help me.
Does anyone know of a website where the difference is actually shown, possibly in a screen capture?

Thanks
Monte

(the cameras are the PD170 and the DVC80)

Ken Tanaka · March 9th, 2004, 11:35 AM

Hello Monte,
The "lux" ratings for cameras are really not very useful in absolute terms, due mainly to the non-standard ways in which the end-product is assessed.

I know of no comparative shots. Your best bet is to hear from someone who has used both cameras.

Guy Bruner · March 9th, 2004, 01:09 PM

Ken,
Please correct me if I misunderstand the concept. Presuming that both camcorders are accurately rated for light sensitivity...say at F/1.6 and +18 dB gain. The camcorder at 1 lux would be 1.75 F/stops faster than the 3 lux camcorder, right? Or, looking at it from a shutter aspect, the 1 lux camcorder could capture the same image as the 3 lux camcorder but at ~1 to 2 faster shutter speeds.

Monte Merritt · March 9th, 2004, 03:15 PM

Ken, I don't need absolute terms, just some idea...

Guy Bruner · March 9th, 2004, 04:18 PM

Monte,
If pictures of the relative brightness difference is all you are looking for, then go to my website. In the DV953 album, page 7, there are frame grabs at different lux levels. They are not at 1 and 3 but, I believe they will illustrate the relative difference between these two cameras. For example, the frame grab under halogen at 15 lux has the camera at F/1.6 and +18 db. That gives an IRE level of 44%. This would be close to what the 3 lux camera would show at 3 lux, F/1.6 and +18 db. The frame grab at 40 lux is similar to what the 1 lux camera would show at 3 lux.

BTW, I believe 1 footcandle=10 lux.

Frank Granovski · March 9th, 2004, 04:27 PM

Quote:

How much difference is 2 lux?

This should give you an idea: http://www.dvfreak.com/lux.htm

Jeff Donald · March 9th, 2004, 04:28 PM

There is no absolute method of determining a lux rating as it applies to DV video cameras. What level (percentage) of color is recorded is entirely up to the manufacture. In other words, one manufacture may rate their camera at 10 lux with 50% color, while another rates their camera at 1 lux with only 10% color.

Ken Tanaka · March 9th, 2004, 05:15 PM

Guy,
As Frank notes, the lux and f-stop numbers really do not tell a completely useful story with respect to video cameras. "Presuming that both camcorders are accurately rated for light sensitivity..." is not a valid presumption. Each manufacturer has their little, slightly deceptive, spec tricks. That "+18dB gain" figure, for example. Shooting video at that gain level will produce extremely grainy, noisy images. But the images are there and the camera captured them!

Sony has long been considered the "low light king". So if shooting in poor lighting is an important prospective requirement for your camera you may be more satisfied with the PD170.

March 9th, 2004, 10:47 AM	#1
Monte Merritt New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 10	How much difference is 2 lux? How much difference is 1 lux from 3 lux? I am considering two cameras that have a minimum illumination difference of 2 lux. I know 1 lux is the equivalent of a candle, but that doesn't really help me. Does anyone know of a website where the difference is actually shown, possibly in a screen capture? Thanks Monte (the cameras are the PD170 and the DVC80)

March 9th, 2004, 11:35 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hello Monte, The "lux" ratings for cameras are really not very useful in absolute terms, due mainly to the non-standard ways in which the end-product is assessed. I know of no comparative shots. Your best bet is to hear from someone who has used both cameras. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 9th, 2004, 04:28 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There is no absolute method of determining a lux rating as it applies to DV video cameras. What level (percentage) of color is recorded is entirely up to the manufacture. In other words, one manufacture may rate their camera at 10 lux with 50% color, while another rates their camera at 1 lux with only 10% color. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 9th, 2004, 05:15 PM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Guy, As Frank notes, the lux and f-stop numbers really do not tell a completely useful story with respect to video cameras. "Presuming that both camcorders are accurately rated for light sensitivity..." is not a valid presumption. Each manufacturer has their little, slightly deceptive, spec tricks. That "+18dB gain" figure, for example. Shooting video at that gain level will produce extremely grainy, noisy images. But the images are there and the camera captured them! Sony has long been considered the "low light king". So if shooting in poor lighting is an important prospective requirement for your camera you may be more satisfied with the PD170. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 9th, 2004, 01:09 PM	#3
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Ken, Please correct me if I misunderstand the concept. Presuming that both camcorders are accurately rated for light sensitivity...say at F/1.6 and +18 dB gain. The camcorder at 1 lux would be 1.75 F/stops faster than the 3 lux camcorder, right? Or, looking at it from a shutter aspect, the 1 lux camcorder could capture the same image as the 3 lux camcorder but at ~1 to 2 faster shutter speeds.

March 9th, 2004, 03:15 PM	#4
Monte Merritt New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 10	Ken, I don't need absolute terms, just some idea...

March 9th, 2004, 04:18 PM	#5
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Monte, If pictures of the relative brightness difference is all you are looking for, then go to my website. In the DV953 album, page 7, there are frame grabs at different lux levels. They are not at 1 and 3 but, I believe they will illustrate the relative difference between these two cameras. For example, the frame grab under halogen at 15 lux has the camera at F/1.6 and +18 db. That gives an IRE level of 44%. This would be close to what the 3 lux camera would show at 3 lux, F/1.6 and +18 db. The frame grab at 40 lux is similar to what the 1 lux camera would show at 3 lux. BTW, I believe 1 footcandle=10 lux.