Analyze my footage...why the varying light?

[Patrick Janka]

YouTube - ‪Josh & Susy Test‬‏

Something I've noticed with my GH2 is that it automatically adjusts exposure for some reason. I have it on all manual settings. I was using the Panny 14-42mm lens. I didn't touch aperture or shutter during this shot. ISO stayed constant at 160. I've gone through the menu a handful of times, and the only thing I could change was LCD view, which gives that annoying light bounce on "A" mode, but that doesn't seem to affect the recording. I can't remember, but I may have had autofocus on. I can't figure this out. Pay attention especially to the beginning and end of the video, you'll see the light bouncing around. Argh!

[Corey Graham]

This happens on my GH1 also. Very annoying.

[Patrick Janka]

So there's no remedy?

[Jeff Harper]

It is very weird, and I have called Panasonic but the guy had no idea what I was talking about, he was foreign, and to make matters worse he didn't know anything about cameras, which was strange.

Anyway, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doens't, or at least it's less severe, I think it has to do with Exposure Compensation, but I'm not sure either.

For weddings I'm learning to get by fine with the cameras but with different lenses you have to use different modes of shooting. Aperture priority with some lenses, shutter priority with others, and Program Mode with others when I'm not able to take the time to choose. Program mode is a great fallback mode for emergencies.

[Jeff Harper]

I should add that as always, the lens is key. The better the lens the less the extaneous issues matter, though the issues can still get in the way of course.

[Dan Carter]

A possibility:

Using M, S, A or P on the top dial provides full control for photos, but not video. This can also result in the strange LCD shift that some mention. For example setting the dial to M (manual), and any ISO other than Auto, still reverts to Auto ISO when recording video. For full video control we must be in "Manual Movie Mode".

Also, setting up and using the AF/AE Lock button can eliminate exposure drift.

Best of luck

[Jeff Harper]

Dan, I only use modes found within manual movie mode for video, and the phenomenon is the same.

Full manual, (within movie mode) set iso, set shutter speed, set aperture, and then pan around my living room and the exposure seems to change as if to adjust for me automatically. The AE lock must be the key, but shouldn't be in theory.

I might play with it some more tonight. I have not used the AE/AF button, haven't taken advantage of it, and don't understand it yet. Maybe it's time.

[Dan Carter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

Dan, I only use modes found within manual movie mode for video, and the phenomenon is the same.

Full manual, (within movie mode) set iso, set shutter speed, set aperture, and then pan around my living room and the exposure seems to change as if to adjust for me automatically. The AE lock must be the key, but shouldn't be in theory.

I might play with it some more tonight. I have not used the AE/AF button, haven't taken advantage of it, and don't understand it yet. Maybe it's time.

The AF/AE Lock button is your friend.

Imagine the ability to press this button once and both AF and AE are locked no matter where you point the camera. Press the button again to unlock.

Also, while AF/AE is locked, turning the focus ring will take you to manual focus magnification mode.

Set this up for the GH2 via Custom Menu pg2:

"AF/AE Lock" set to "AF/AE"
"AF/AE Lock Hold" set to "ON"

Good luck

[Jeff Harper]

Thanks Dan, very useful information, I will change my setting as soon as I'm done typing this!

[William Hohauser]

Having the camera set to "Dynamic" picture quality will cause this problem as the GH2 makes gamma adjustments on the fly. "Smooth" and "Vibrant" don't do this, other presets I don't know yet.

[Jeff Harper]

Thanks William, don't use Dynamic, but nice try.

[Brian Luce]

Are you in AWB by chance? That doesn't look like your issue, but you never know.

btw, what stabilizer are you using and how do you like it?

[Patrick Janka]

No, I wasn't in AWB. How does the exposure lock work? I tried it today on a photoshoot, and nothing indicated it was working. Do I hold it in? What displays on the screen when it's engaged?

I'm using the Steadicam Merlin. Pain in the rear to use, but when you get it working correctly you get some great shots.

[Jeff Harper]

Go into the menu and make sure it is turned on, if you haven't already. When you push the button, a little something happens on the lower left hand side of the screen.

[William Hohauser]

I really like this camera but sometimes it's crazy with all the options!