F350 funny goings on with exposure? at DVinfo.net

Nigel Cooper · October 7th, 2006, 01:08 PM

F350 funny goings on with exposure?

I've got a Sony F350 on loan from Sony UK, but am experiencing a little problem with the exposure.

Shooting in 25p with the shutter switched manually to 50 I find that if I use the 'auto' button on the lens (switch set to M) temporarily to get a rough guesstimate of the exposure from the camera, it appears to be underexposing by nearly 2-Stops.

This is how I usually work, then once I have the cameras estimate I tweak it accordingly using the Zebras to guide me further. However, with the camera underexposing by 2 stops like this, it is a feature that might as well not exist as it is so far out in the underexposed department.

I had heard that this was a software issue in the early XDCAM HD cameras, but this one has just dropped off the production line.

I can't even use the iris under/over override as it can only be set to +1 F stop, I need to be able to set it to +2 to compensate for this irritation.

I know if I switch off the shutter the problem goes away, but then I'm introduced to images that are not quite as clear as when shutter is switched in to 50 manually.

Is this an annoying feature with XDCAM HD F350's or is their some sort of firmware that can be downloaded that I can do myself; or is it a back to Sony job?

Nate Weaver · October 7th, 2006, 01:19 PM

Mine's like that too, AE is almost useless. I'll guess they know about it and it's an easy firmware fix for that update that's coming.

Nigel Cooper · October 7th, 2006, 01:24 PM

When is the update coming Nate, any idea?

Nate Weaver · October 7th, 2006, 01:48 PM

All I keep hearing is "soon". It's been like that for a couple months now.

Greg Boston · October 7th, 2006, 07:32 PM

The Fujinon lens I own has internal settings to alter the response of the auto iris. There are also some menu settings in the camera. You may wish to optimize those things to your liking.

-gb-

Greg Boston · October 7th, 2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Weaver

All I keep hearing is "soon". It's been like that for a couple months now.

Well, I've been hearing around the end of September for quite some time. Our patience will be soon rewarded. Like... very soon.

-gb-

Nigel Cooper · October 9th, 2006, 04:56 PM

I've just been emailed a beta firmware update for XDCAM HD from my UK sony contact. I'll put it on Memory Stick and do the firmware upgrade on the F350 I have on loan tomorrow and let you know if it fixes it.

I know this firmware update has the buffer feature and a bunch of other stuff.

Nate Weaver · October 9th, 2006, 07:15 PM

Arg! We want, we want!

Nigel Cooper · October 10th, 2006, 02:29 AM

Just realized I don't have a card reader to get it from computer to F350 :(

October 7th, 2006, 01:08 PM	#1
Nigel Cooper Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 112	F350 funny goings on with exposure? F350 funny goings on with exposure? I've got a Sony F350 on loan from Sony UK, but am experiencing a little problem with the exposure. Shooting in 25p with the shutter switched manually to 50 I find that if I use the 'auto' button on the lens (switch set to M) temporarily to get a rough guesstimate of the exposure from the camera, it appears to be underexposing by nearly 2-Stops. This is how I usually work, then once I have the cameras estimate I tweak it accordingly using the Zebras to guide me further. However, with the camera underexposing by 2 stops like this, it is a feature that might as well not exist as it is so far out in the underexposed department. I had heard that this was a software issue in the early XDCAM HD cameras, but this one has just dropped off the production line. I can't even use the iris under/over override as it can only be set to +1 F stop, I need to be able to set it to +2 to compensate for this irritation. I know if I switch off the shutter the problem goes away, but then I'm introduced to images that are not quite as clear as when shutter is switched in to 50 manually. Is this an annoying feature with XDCAM HD F350's or is their some sort of firmware that can be downloaded that I can do myself; or is it a back to Sony job?

October 7th, 2006, 01:19 PM	#2
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Mine's like that too, AE is almost useless. I'll guess they know about it and it's an easy firmware fix for that update that's coming. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

October 7th, 2006, 01:48 PM	#4
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	All I keep hearing is "soon". It's been like that for a couple months now. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

October 9th, 2006, 07:15 PM	#8
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Arg! We want, we want! __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

October 7th, 2006, 01:24 PM	#3
Nigel Cooper Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 112	When is the update coming Nate, any idea?

October 7th, 2006, 07:32 PM	#5
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	The Fujinon lens I own has internal settings to alter the response of the auto iris. There are also some menu settings in the camera. You may wish to optimize those things to your liking. -gb-

October 9th, 2006, 04:56 PM	#7
Nigel Cooper Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 112	I've just been emailed a beta firmware update for XDCAM HD from my UK sony contact. I'll put it on Memory Stick and do the firmware upgrade on the F350 I have on loan tomorrow and let you know if it fixes it. I know this firmware update has the buffer feature and a bunch of other stuff.

October 10th, 2006, 02:29 AM	#9
Nigel Cooper Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 112	Just realized I don't have a card reader to get it from computer to F350 :(