Idiot Soccer Dad with an HD-1000 at DVinfo.net

Gray Fowler · July 6th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Help....Using the HD1000 to tape my daughters bright red uniform results in over exposure of the uniform. Setting the white balance to outside has helped, but still not great. This is usually in direct bright sunlight. Any tricks here ?

Settings are:

Focus-auto
gain-auto
WB-outside

Wacharapong Chiowanich · July 6th, 2009, 09:42 PM

Is gain selectable on your camera? If it is, set it to 0dB and adjust the exposure manually using either the LCD or viewfinder as the monitor. Then try manually white-balancing the scene with the red uniform in it. This particular red may render better in your footage with a different outdoor lighting.

Adam Gold · July 6th, 2009, 11:01 PM

It's not likely the WB. Sonys tend to pump the reds.

Try turning CAMERA COLOR down a notch or two, if it's just that the red is too intense. If the picture really is overexposed (doubtful but possible), you can go to manual exposure or set AE SHIFT to -1 or -2. If the whole picture is too red, you could use WB SHIFT, but I doubt this is your problem. Your best bet is to stay in OUTDOOR WB while outdoors. Setting to indoor would actually make everything look bluer, but it will look strange.

All this is on pages 40-42 of your manual. Play around with the settings a bit until you like what you see. Also play around with X.V. COLOR (page 45).

James McBoyle · July 7th, 2009, 06:23 AM

One other thing to check, do make sure you haven't accidentally knocked the Backlight button and turned backlight compensation on, as that will blow out your exposure as well...

Dave Blackhurst · July 7th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Typically, setting AE shift between -2 and -4 will help a lot, turn your zebras on, and if needed you should also be able to ride exposure. Reds can be touchy with any cam - a Canon would probably be even worse.

Gray Fowler · July 8th, 2009, 06:29 AM

Well at least its good to hear that the bright red can be a problem far most cameras. I will definitely try the AE shift.

Another note, I did one video that was absolutely great in red color. I have tried to recreate (remember) what I did exactly, and I think I had my circular polarizer on. Does that makes sense to keep the red from being so glare-y in bright sunshine?

Dave Blackhurst · July 8th, 2009, 07:00 PM

A CP can be helpful in bright sunlight to prevent overly reflective surfaces from blowing out, it's worth a try, that's for sure. I always keep a CP or two handy in my kit if I'm going to be shooting outdoors.

July 6th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#1
Gray Fowler Tourist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Allen Tx USA Posts: 3	Idiot Soccer Dad with an HD-1000 Help....Using the HD1000 to tape my daughters bright red uniform results in over exposure of the uniform. Setting the white balance to outside has helped, but still not great. This is usually in direct bright sunlight. Any tricks here ? Settings are: Focus-auto gain-auto WB-outside

July 8th, 2009, 06:29 AM	#6
Gray Fowler Tourist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Allen Tx USA Posts: 3	Soccer Dad Red problem part 2 Well at least its good to hear that the bright red can be a problem far most cameras. I will definitely try the AE shift. Another note, I did one video that was absolutely great in red color. I have tried to recreate (remember) what I did exactly, and I think I had my circular polarizer on. Does that makes sense to keep the red from being so glare-y in bright sunshine?

July 6th, 2009, 09:42 PM	#2
Wacharapong Chiowanich Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 400	Is gain selectable on your camera? If it is, set it to 0dB and adjust the exposure manually using either the LCD or viewfinder as the monitor. Then try manually white-balancing the scene with the red uniform in it. This particular red may render better in your footage with a different outdoor lighting.

July 6th, 2009, 11:01 PM	#3
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	It's not likely the WB. Sonys tend to pump the reds. Try turning CAMERA COLOR down a notch or two, if it's just that the red is too intense. If the picture really is overexposed (doubtful but possible), you can go to manual exposure or set AE SHIFT to -1 or -2. If the whole picture is too red, you could use WB SHIFT, but I doubt this is your problem. Your best bet is to stay in OUTDOOR WB while outdoors. Setting to indoor would actually make everything look bluer, but it will look strange. All this is on pages 40-42 of your manual. Play around with the settings a bit until you like what you see. Also play around with X.V. COLOR (page 45).

July 7th, 2009, 06:23 AM	#4
James McBoyle Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 87	One other thing to check, do make sure you haven't accidentally knocked the Backlight button and turned backlight compensation on, as that will blow out your exposure as well...

July 7th, 2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Typically, setting AE shift between -2 and -4 will help a lot, turn your zebras on, and if needed you should also be able to ride exposure. Reds can be touchy with any cam - a Canon would probably be even worse.

July 8th, 2009, 07:00 PM	#7
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	A CP can be helpful in bright sunlight to prevent overly reflective surfaces from blowing out, it's worth a try, that's for sure. I always keep a CP or two handy in my kit if I'm going to be shooting outdoors.