DVX and gain up controls at DVinfo.net

Peter Jefferson · April 2nd, 2004, 03:24 AM

okies, now most Pana cams have gain up from +6, +9 +12 +15 and +18

the DVX lets me mess around with 6, 9 12 and 18 .. but what about 15?? Obviously, 15+ would offer a higher gain than 12 but it would also carry lower noise artefacts than +18...

so why cant we get to it??Why cant we use it?? i mean there've been countless times when all i needed was that tiny boost, but jumping to 18 was too noisy, so then im left with using a light which i dont particularly want to use.. especially for weddings...

any ideas?? thoughts?? Opinions on this?

Imran Zaidi · April 7th, 2004, 09:37 AM

I think most people tend to avoid using gain like the plague. I know for myself, it's pretty much a non-issue. If I can't shoot it without using gain, then I try my best to avoid it altogether, or light it, or use a reflector, or something - anything to avoid gain.

Barry Schmetter · April 7th, 2004, 02:27 PM

Interesting. I feel like anything over 6db of gain looks terrible--period. If you need to boost the gain by 15db I'd say you need a better lighting solution. How about a nice on-camera light with a dimmer and small softbox?

Think of it this way: the DVX100 is nominally rated at an ISO of 640. +15 db is the equivalent of 2.5 extra stops of light. If you were a still photog, you'd be using ISO 3200 film! It's going to be grainy/noisy, with film or a digicam or a video camera.

Peter Jefferson · April 8th, 2004, 02:16 AM

"I'd say you need a better lighting solution. How about a nice on-camera light with a dimmer and small softbox?"

:)

got those!!!

I dont knw about the NTSC models, but i can safely say that i frequenty run the gain up at +12 without any noticable artefacts..
when i hit, +18 i get those blue pixles in my blacks..

mind you im using cine gamma and matrix is set to cinema.. so it IS darker than most other settings....

Barry Schmetter · April 8th, 2004, 02:28 PM

Well, the PAL model must also include nitrogen-cooled CCD's :-). It sounds like you're trying to be very low-key at the wedding--which is good, but maybe you can crank your light up a little more. Folks look their best at an event like a wedding and I don't think they're going to mind a bit of light while you're shooting.

Why did Pany skip +15db? Maybe the software engineer had a hangover that day. Maybe it was Friday afternoon and he said, "Four o'clock and I'm only up to +12db? I'm adding +18 db and then I'm off for a relaxing time and some Suntory whisky!"

Peter Jefferson · April 11th, 2004, 08:38 AM

LOL@Barry.. that WOULD NOT surprise me mate.. hahahaha

at the moment, im running 10w globes, which are fine enough for up to 7 metres.. i thought about going higher maybe 20 or 35, (i used to use 100w... ) but its not the best when your going around to tables and people are sqinting at you during an interview.. with the 10w globe and fitted diffuser, i dont get any squints.. i think this is probably as high a globe i wnat to get near peoples faces.. id love to go higher.. but for my work.. it just doesnt cut it.. :(

April 2nd, 2004, 03:24 AM	#1
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	DVX and gain up controls okies, now most Pana cams have gain up from +6, +9 +12 +15 and +18 the DVX lets me mess around with 6, 9 12 and 18 .. but what about 15?? Obviously, 15+ would offer a higher gain than 12 but it would also carry lower noise artefacts than +18... so why cant we get to it??Why cant we use it?? i mean there've been countless times when all i needed was that tiny boost, but jumping to 18 was too noisy, so then im left with using a light which i dont particularly want to use.. especially for weddings... any ideas?? thoughts?? Opinions on this?

April 7th, 2004, 09:37 AM	#2
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	I think most people tend to avoid using gain like the plague. I know for myself, it's pretty much a non-issue. If I can't shoot it without using gain, then I try my best to avoid it altogether, or light it, or use a reflector, or something - anything to avoid gain.

April 7th, 2004, 02:27 PM	#3
Barry Schmetter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 38	Interesting. I feel like anything over 6db of gain looks terrible--period. If you need to boost the gain by 15db I'd say you need a better lighting solution. How about a nice on-camera light with a dimmer and small softbox? Think of it this way: the DVX100 is nominally rated at an ISO of 640. +15 db is the equivalent of 2.5 extra stops of light. If you were a still photog, you'd be using ISO 3200 film! It's going to be grainy/noisy, with film or a digicam or a video camera.

April 8th, 2004, 02:16 AM	#4
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	"I'd say you need a better lighting solution. How about a nice on-camera light with a dimmer and small softbox?" :) got those!!! I dont knw about the NTSC models, but i can safely say that i frequenty run the gain up at +12 without any noticable artefacts.. when i hit, +18 i get those blue pixles in my blacks.. mind you im using cine gamma and matrix is set to cinema.. so it IS darker than most other settings....

April 8th, 2004, 02:28 PM	#5
Barry Schmetter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 38	Well, the PAL model must also include nitrogen-cooled CCD's :-). It sounds like you're trying to be very low-key at the wedding--which is good, but maybe you can crank your light up a little more. Folks look their best at an event like a wedding and I don't think they're going to mind a bit of light while you're shooting. Why did Pany skip +15db? Maybe the software engineer had a hangover that day. Maybe it was Friday afternoon and he said, "Four o'clock and I'm only up to +12db? I'm adding +18 db and then I'm off for a relaxing time and some Suntory whisky!"

April 11th, 2004, 08:38 AM	#6
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	LOL@Barry.. that WOULD NOT surprise me mate.. hahahaha at the moment, im running 10w globes, which are fine enough for up to 7 metres.. i thought about going higher maybe 20 or 35, (i used to use 100w... ) but its not the best when your going around to tables and people are sqinting at you during an interview.. with the 10w globe and fitted diffuser, i dont get any squints.. i think this is probably as high a globe i wnat to get near peoples faces.. id love to go higher.. but for my work.. it just doesnt cut it.. :(