Any hints on getting perfect exposure with A6000 at DVinfo.net

Phil Parkinson · October 17th, 2016, 08:22 AM

Hi Guys,

So I'm using my A6000 as a B/C camera on a project I am working on. I am constantly finding that I am crushing the blacks - so I am struggling to find that sweet exposure spot. Do you guys have any hints on how to expose the A6000 in the following circumstances:

1) Classic run and gun. Pull the camera out of the bag and start shooting. The zebras are currently set to 90%, but if there's nothing white in the frame, what should I be looking for / levels should I be watching for?

2) Interview with classic 3-light set up. Is holding something white in frame and getting zebras on that white card the best way to nail it?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Phil

John Mitchell · November 1st, 2016, 03:43 AM

Zebras are used in REC709 to avoid clipping white and burning out skin tones. So if shooting in 709 (which I think is all the A6000 supports although you can probably muck around with colour profiles to get a flatter image) I'd set my zebras to 85% and look for a touch of zebras on skin tone highlights. You won't always protect whites doing this as 709 is a limited dynamic range profile but at least you won't burn out skin tones which for my taste is the most important thing.. As always experiment to find out what works best for you.

October 17th, 2016, 08:22 AM	#1
Phil Parkinson Tourist Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Dubai Posts: 2	Any hints on getting perfect exposure with A6000 Hi Guys, So I'm using my A6000 as a B/C camera on a project I am working on. I am constantly finding that I am crushing the blacks - so I am struggling to find that sweet exposure spot. Do you guys have any hints on how to expose the A6000 in the following circumstances: 1) Classic run and gun. Pull the camera out of the bag and start shooting. The zebras are currently set to 90%, but if there's nothing white in the frame, what should I be looking for / levels should I be watching for? 2) Interview with classic 3-light set up. Is holding something white in frame and getting zebras on that white card the best way to nail it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Phil

November 1st, 2016, 03:43 AM	#2
John Mitchell Contributor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 873	Re: Any hints on getting perfect exposure with A6000 Zebras are used in REC709 to avoid clipping white and burning out skin tones. So if shooting in 709 (which I think is all the A6000 supports although you can probably muck around with colour profiles to get a flatter image) I'd set my zebras to 85% and look for a touch of zebras on skin tone highlights. You won't always protect whites doing this as 709 is a limited dynamic range profile but at least you won't burn out skin tones which for my taste is the most important thing.. As always experiment to find out what works best for you.