Shutter Speed & Peaking at DVinfo.net

Ben Moore · May 14th, 2010, 01:53 PM

Two Questions here:

1. The Shutter speed at 1080 60i defaults to 60, Shouldnt it be more like 125 at 60i?, Should I change it or leave it?

2. I don't fully understand how to use "Peaking". I know its to help focus, but I don't know how it works exactly.

Thanks for your input

Ben

Adam Gold · May 14th, 2010, 02:06 PM

Leave the shutter speed alone. It's designed to provide the best motion for nearly all uses. The idea that the shutter speed had to be half (double) the frame rate is an old artifact from the film days when you had a physical bladed shutter. And it actually works, as you're still taking about 30 frames rather than 60 fields.

Peaking just generates a colored line on any sharp edge the cam sees, so when it's turned on you can see where your areas of best focus are. Not necessary if you are using auto focus, but helpful, especially in conjunction with Expanded Focus, if you are focusing manually.

Ben Moore · May 15th, 2010, 10:29 AM

Thanks Adam!

Ben

Tom Hardwick · May 21st, 2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gold

Not necessary if you are using auto focus, but helpful, especially in conjunction with Expanded Focus, if you are focusing manually.

Actually Adam I find peaking to be very helpful in auto-focus, especially when you're using the focus assist function. Say you are on a tele setting and the peaking shows that you're focused on the people in the background. You simply give the focus ring a quick twist clockwise (viewed from behind the v'finder) and the camera will automatically focus on the nearer object, and the peaking will confirm which of the nearer people are critically sharp.

Adam Gold · May 21st, 2010, 02:28 PM

Good point. Never had to adjust the auto-focus in this way but good to know it can be done easily.

Ryan Douthit · May 21st, 2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

Actually Adam I find peaking to be very helpful in auto-focus, especially when you're using the focus assist function. Say you are on a tele setting and the peaking shows that you're focused on the people in the background. You simply give the focus ring a quick twist clockwise (viewed from behind the v'finder) and the camera will automatically focus on the nearer object, and the peaking will confirm which of the nearer people are critically sharp.

Interesting. My NX5U doesn't do this. Is there a setting to enable the function somewhere?

Tom Hardwick · May 22nd, 2010, 07:50 AM

Yes Ryan, there sure is. God only knows why this isn't default on. Find 'Focus Assist' in the menu, switch it on and never look back. It's one of the most useful little tricks I know, and no run 'n' gunner should be without it.

May 14th, 2010, 01:53 PM	#1
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	Shutter Speed & Peaking Two Questions here: 1. The Shutter speed at 1080 60i defaults to 60, Shouldnt it be more like 125 at 60i?, Should I change it or leave it? 2. I don't fully understand how to use "Peaking". I know its to help focus, but I don't know how it works exactly. Thanks for your input Ben

May 14th, 2010, 02:06 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Leave the shutter speed alone. It's designed to provide the best motion for nearly all uses. The idea that the shutter speed had to be half (double) the frame rate is an old artifact from the film days when you had a physical bladed shutter. And it actually works, as you're still taking about 30 frames rather than 60 fields. Peaking just generates a colored line on any sharp edge the cam sees, so when it's turned on you can see where your areas of best focus are. Not necessary if you are using auto focus, but helpful, especially in conjunction with Expanded Focus, if you are focusing manually. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

May 21st, 2010, 02:28 PM	#5
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Good point. Never had to adjust the auto-focus in this way but good to know it can be done easily. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

May 15th, 2010, 10:29 AM	#3
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	Thanks Adam! Ben

May 22nd, 2010, 07:50 AM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Yes Ryan, there sure is. God only knows why this isn't default on. Find 'Focus Assist' in the menu, switch it on and never look back. It's one of the most useful little tricks I know, and no run 'n' gunner should be without it.