Blow-out highlights with the FX1000 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · June 28th, 2009, 12:47 PM

Fellow wedding videographers: While the FX1000 has a couple of major weaknesses, the most bothersome for me is blown-out highlights. What is up with that?

In the hundred or more weddings I shot with the PD150/VX2100 this was rarely much of an issue, but alas the FX1000 is not the high-def equivalent of the legendary older line. But I digress.

I have used the AE button with some limited success, set at -3. I probably need to go to -5, I suppose. Anyone else that shoots weddings having this issue, and if so what are you doing. My bride's dress is often turns into a blob of white light. I am astonished that a consumer camera such as this needs such extensive manual control and cannot properly adjust itself for relatively routine outdoor shots.

I bring this up because yesterday was a very trying day with the FX1000. From the graininess in the chapel to the blown out highlights at the park, this camera always seems to need help and manual adjustment. For a single camera it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I run multiple cams so it gets old and frustrating.

Adam Gold · June 28th, 2009, 12:54 PM

I believe we've already discussed KNEE POINT, Jeff. Page 39.

Jeff Harper · June 28th, 2009, 12:55 PM

Adam, what knee-point setting for outdoor wedding photo sessions do you use?

Adam Gold · June 28th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Well, I don't do weddings, but outdoors I leave knee on auto. In very contrasty theatrical situations I set it to MIDDLE and it seems to work well. But you should experiment with it a little.

Like you, I've found AE SHIFT to be of very limited value. Outdoors in bright sunlight, I also sometimes use the CINEMATONE GAMMA settings with good results.

Are you consistently using your zebras?

Jeff Harper · June 28th, 2009, 01:29 PM

Actually, the biggest problems yesterday was indoors, not outdoors, outdoor stuff looked fine. I just reviewed some of the footage and it is indoors in the chapel where things were really bad, the grooms face was totally blown out, it looks freakish. Her dress later on is pretty bad too.

I don't use zebra as I obviously need to do with the camera. I'll create a picture profile for use indoors in contrasty situations such as yesterday and try your middle setting and see what happens. The lighting in the chapel was really gorgeous, but it was almost theatrical and very contrasty as you say. The walls were dark, etc, so the highlights were more blown out then usual.

I suppose I must use the zebra, thanks Adam.

June 28th, 2009, 12:47 PM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Blow-out highlights with the FX1000 Fellow wedding videographers: While the FX1000 has a couple of major weaknesses, the most bothersome for me is blown-out highlights. What is up with that? In the hundred or more weddings I shot with the PD150/VX2100 this was rarely much of an issue, but alas the FX1000 is not the high-def equivalent of the legendary older line. But I digress. I have used the AE button with some limited success, set at -3. I probably need to go to -5, I suppose. Anyone else that shoots weddings having this issue, and if so what are you doing. My bride's dress is often turns into a blob of white light. I am astonished that a consumer camera such as this needs such extensive manual control and cannot properly adjust itself for relatively routine outdoor shots. I bring this up because yesterday was a very trying day with the FX1000. From the graininess in the chapel to the blown out highlights at the park, this camera always seems to need help and manual adjustment. For a single camera it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I run multiple cams so it gets old and frustrating.

June 28th, 2009, 12:54 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I believe we've already discussed KNEE POINT, Jeff. Page 39.

June 28th, 2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Adam, what knee-point setting for outdoor wedding photo sessions do you use?

June 28th, 2009, 12:59 PM	#4
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Well, I don't do weddings, but outdoors I leave knee on auto. In very contrasty theatrical situations I set it to MIDDLE and it seems to work well. But you should experiment with it a little. Like you, I've found AE SHIFT to be of very limited value. Outdoors in bright sunlight, I also sometimes use the CINEMATONE GAMMA settings with good results. Are you consistently using your zebras?

June 28th, 2009, 01:29 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Actually, the biggest problems yesterday was indoors, not outdoors, outdoor stuff looked fine. I just reviewed some of the footage and it is indoors in the chapel where things were really bad, the grooms face was totally blown out, it looks freakish. Her dress later on is pretty bad too. I don't use zebra as I obviously need to do with the camera. I'll create a picture profile for use indoors in contrasty situations such as yesterday and try your middle setting and see what happens. The lighting in the chapel was really gorgeous, but it was almost theatrical and very contrasty as you say. The walls were dark, etc, so the highlights were more blown out then usual. I suppose I must use the zebra, thanks Adam.