Aperature or shutter Priority? at DVinfo.net

Scott Richards · July 5th, 2003, 03:16 PM

I'm new to the forum and have a pretty basic question. I used two VX2000's to shoot a series of singers on stage. I set C1 with a fixed wide shot. I used C2 to shoot tighter and to follow the action on stage. Both cameras were set on full auto. C2 looks great. But on C1 the performers are washed out, overexposed - especially fair skinned people with blonde hair. I realize now that on the wide camera I need to make an exposure adjustment. Should I use the AEA or AES setting? I have read what the manual says but just don't understand when one priority is preferable over another.

Jun Galinato · July 5th, 2003, 04:12 PM

You should try the spotlight mode. The best is to use manual settings.

Mike Rehmus · July 5th, 2003, 04:14 PM

Welcome to the forum.

If the camera computed an overexposure, I don't know why selecting either priority setting would change the results.

You might have been ahead to have selected the spotlight mode of operation although I think that may have created problems too.

The most reliable method of setting exposure, and you really need to be using manual exposure in this type of situation, is to zoom in on a face that is lit with the stage lighting that will be used during the production. Set the exposure and lock it in.

If you cannot get close enough from your camera location, get up on the stage (or at least closer) before the show and set up then.

It is really the only way to get reliable results. I'd do it for both cameras.

Tom Hardwick · July 8th, 2003, 05:40 AM

As a single operator your only hope is the Spotlight mode I'm afraid. As Mike says, it's not perfect but it's a 'better than nothing' exposure fix for the umnmanned cam. I use that technique with my Panasonic 3 chip MX300 and I marvel at how good the Spotlight mode is on that camera. It even knows when the stage *isn't* spotlit and gives correct overall exposure.

Ignore the aperture priority mode as this can give rise to stroby effects as the shutter speeds rise and fall. And shutter priority is how the camera designers have programmed the VX2k - even more so if you've got 'auto shutter' OFF in the menu.

tom.

July 5th, 2003, 03:16 PM	#1
Scott Richards Tourist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 1	Aperature or shutter Priority? I'm new to the forum and have a pretty basic question. I used two VX2000's to shoot a series of singers on stage. I set C1 with a fixed wide shot. I used C2 to shoot tighter and to follow the action on stage. Both cameras were set on full auto. C2 looks great. But on C1 the performers are washed out, overexposed - especially fair skinned people with blonde hair. I realize now that on the wide camera I need to make an exposure adjustment. Should I use the AEA or AES setting? I have read what the manual says but just don't understand when one priority is preferable over another.

July 5th, 2003, 04:12 PM	#2
Jun Galinato Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 231	You should try the spotlight mode. The best is to use manual settings. __________________ Sony Z7U, Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105 F4L, Canon 70-200 F2.8L, Canon 580 EXII, Zoom H2.

July 5th, 2003, 04:14 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Welcome to the forum. If the camera computed an overexposure, I don't know why selecting either priority setting would change the results. You might have been ahead to have selected the spotlight mode of operation although I think that may have created problems too. The most reliable method of setting exposure, and you really need to be using manual exposure in this type of situation, is to zoom in on a face that is lit with the stage lighting that will be used during the production. Set the exposure and lock it in. If you cannot get close enough from your camera location, get up on the stage (or at least closer) before the show and set up then. It is really the only way to get reliable results. I'd do it for both cameras. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 8th, 2003, 05:40 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	As a single operator your only hope is the Spotlight mode I'm afraid. As Mike says, it's not perfect but it's a 'better than nothing' exposure fix for the umnmanned cam. I use that technique with my Panasonic 3 chip MX300 and I marvel at how good the Spotlight mode is on that camera. It even knows when the stage isn't spotlit and gives correct overall exposure. Ignore the aperture priority mode as this can give rise to stroby effects as the shutter speeds rise and fall. And shutter priority is how the camera designers have programmed the VX2k - even more so if you've got 'auto shutter' OFF in the menu. tom.