Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Although this conversation is no longer about Hyper Gamma 4:

By default, I have zebras on but toggle them on and off to check high contrast scenes.

For example I had to shoot an interview in front of a window the other day. With zebras on the entire background was obscured by zebra pattern and I couldn't judge if I was retaining any detail.

On the other hand, on my first shoot in the Caribbean I ended up over exposing a number of shots because I didn't trust my zebras. The ambient light was so bright that it made me misjudge the exposure when I put my eye to the viewfinder.

Zebras are a useful tool but not always the right tool.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Guess what - I just bought a sekonic lightmeter.

Not for exposure, when the camera is already on set.
But for setting up the lights (find holes in stage lighting etc.).

Regarding Zebras:

Here in Germany the NDR (north german broadcast) recommends to set Zebra to ~53% and set Zebra to DARK skin areas. Its an interesting method, but totally screws you up when you grab a camera set to 53% instead 70% ;-)

Most cameramen I know (we are talking again EB/ENG) use 70%, some use 100% to avoid or see overexp.
Most cams can show 2 Zebras, so you can do both.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Hi Mike

Where do you set your levels for Zebra 100%.. ? was the interview in front of the window for a look,or just no choice in the location..

Interesting about the ambient light situation.. also can be very bright where I live.. maybe Im used to to..

Yes Im sure Zebra,s have their use.. I will set them to 100% and like yourself toggle them on sometimes on a camera that isn't mine.. but as a total and final decider never would solely rely on them..

I think the thing with Doug is that he shoots his video like reversal film.. if there is no grading then you have to anyway I guess.. therefore the use of hyper gamma etc would be pointless.. and your levels have to be very precise ..

Horses for courses..

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Hi Robin,

I have Zebra 1 on 80-85% and Zebra 2 at 100%. I keep skin tones clear of pattern with maybe the odd highlight showing it. I tend to light softly so highlights like that are rare - maybe on a sweating athlete or a bald man where I can't control the light.

The interview in front of the window was at the golf open and was the only option I had.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

ok thanks.. do you use any of the hyper game,s Ive only just come back to Sony,I had a digibeta 790 but then went to Panasonic for HD..

Are you in Essex i.e. NE of London.. or the NE of London itself..

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

My normal settings use HG, I can't remember which off the top of my head. In post I add a little contrast but it gives me that little bit of extra flexibility for the odd shot that needs it.

Yes, I'm in Essex, just to the NE of London.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Hi Robin, I use HG 4 for all outdoor shooting and HG3 for indoor shoots, I'm shooting on a Sony PMW 500 and really like the look of the hypergammas. I use zebras at all times at 80%. I use zebras as a reference or waring sign that I'm getting close to being over exposed for my style of shooting on skin. On skin tones, if I see zebras I will back off a bit or leave a strip or two on the cheek or hands etc...
I find the hypergammas great an have adjusted some of the settings on my 500 to get a look that needs little grading.
Check out my Wild Wheels TV program on You Tube and there you will see the hypergammas from the 500.

I forgot to mention that I have the zebras set at +\- 10% on the 500.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Ok thanks.. my brother lives in Maldon/Heybridge so I go there quite a bit.. Yeah Alister posted about adding a bit of neg black gamma for a bit of contrast..

Thanks again

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Hi Simon

Ok thanks for the tip.. I have the 500 also..Ill check out your program..

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

I seldom shoot sikintones over 50 IRE.

And than I even bring em down in post a bit, to give em texture.
Load any major blockbuster into your NLE and measure skintones. They mostly live around 35-40 IRE with a bit more in the highlights.

my ct2 Frank

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Only in low key scenes maybe, 35-40 is very low for normal scene. Most normal lighting scenes would be 45-60 for non shadow areas even in blockbusters.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

I've attached some small images cropped out from recent blockbuster clips. If you load them in to photoshop you'll see that the non-shadow skin tones range from around 45-60%, even the night time Will Smith shot reaches 48%. Yes some movies go lower for particularly dark scenes but 35-40 is not a normal exposure range. The movies are Mission impossible, Skyfall, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Men in Black.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Hi Alister

My Pana monitor BT900 has a film-rec setting.. would you advise using that for Sony HG,s or leave it 709 to see how it looks on a "normal" tv before grading..

Thanks again

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

I'd leave it on 709 as that's how the end user will be viewing you footage. The Film Rec curve is there to match the Panasonic Film Rec gamma and applies a correction to the image to show a more natural image. But this is specifically for the Pana gamma and not Sony's Hypergamma.

Re: Hyper Gamma 4
 

Ok thanks for your time.. I used to do some shoots for DVA by the way.. way back in the 80,s ..