Need help with Sony cam and warm cards at DVinfo.net

Mary Barden · November 10th, 2005, 02:38 PM

I have a Sony DSR 200a camera. I am using it in a church to capture worship as well as sermons. The cameras are situated about 30 feet from the stage. My problem is this...all warm cards I have seen are only about 5X7 at the largest. If I put the warm card up to the camera lens there isn't any lighting like I'd be using. Any ideas as to how I can fix this? I do white balance but because there are people the picture on the big screens come out really bad so I am wanting to use warm cards to help with that. I have used proc amps to do most of the work, but I just dont' have as much time weekly to do this and teaching my crew is easier if I have warm cards. Thanks.

Mike Rehmus · November 10th, 2005, 06:03 PM

Take the camera and the card down to where your subjects will be and white balance there. Store the white balance info and move the camera back to the shooting location. The lighting will not change day-to-day so you are good to go.

Mary Barden · November 11th, 2005, 12:05 AM

Good idea!! Thanks. I'll try that. One other question. Is there a better angle or anything to do this at? Should I do it at eye level or can I just put the camera on the floor and put the card in front?

Mike Rehmus · November 11th, 2005, 12:37 AM

If the lighting is fairly uniform, then you don't need to take special precautions. I'd probably not place it on the floor where the floor might end up in the field of view. If the lighting is different depending on the angle and direction, then insure the card is placed such that it is at right angles to a line drawn between the camera position and the 'stage', e.g., that the card is 'looking' back up to the camera.

Mary Barden · November 11th, 2005, 08:34 AM

Cool. Thanks. I have another question to pose for this. I am currently trying to train my teams on how to white balance and color balance the cameras. If I'm moving them and then moving them back this means more work for them. I love this idea of moving the cameras but I do need something quick and dirty, if you know what I mean. Is there something else I can do that is quicker than moving the cams?
You all are so helpful. Thanks

November 10th, 2005, 02:38 PM	#1
Mary Barden Tourist Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3	Need help with Sony cam and warm cards I have a Sony DSR 200a camera. I am using it in a church to capture worship as well as sermons. The cameras are situated about 30 feet from the stage. My problem is this...all warm cards I have seen are only about 5X7 at the largest. If I put the warm card up to the camera lens there isn't any lighting like I'd be using. Any ideas as to how I can fix this? I do white balance but because there are people the picture on the big screens come out really bad so I am wanting to use warm cards to help with that. I have used proc amps to do most of the work, but I just dont' have as much time weekly to do this and teaching my crew is easier if I have warm cards. Thanks.

November 10th, 2005, 06:03 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Take the camera and the card down to where your subjects will be and white balance there. Store the white balance info and move the camera back to the shooting location. The lighting will not change day-to-day so you are good to go. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 11th, 2005, 12:37 AM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If the lighting is fairly uniform, then you don't need to take special precautions. I'd probably not place it on the floor where the floor might end up in the field of view. If the lighting is different depending on the angle and direction, then insure the card is placed such that it is at right angles to a line drawn between the camera position and the 'stage', e.g., that the card is 'looking' back up to the camera. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 11th, 2005, 12:05 AM	#3
Mary Barden Tourist Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3	Good idea!! Thanks. I'll try that. One other question. Is there a better angle or anything to do this at? Should I do it at eye level or can I just put the camera on the floor and put the card in front?

November 11th, 2005, 08:34 AM	#5
Mary Barden Tourist Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3	Cool. Thanks. I have another question to pose for this. I am currently trying to train my teams on how to white balance and color balance the cameras. If I'm moving them and then moving them back this means more work for them. I love this idea of moving the cameras but I do need something quick and dirty, if you know what I mean. Is there something else I can do that is quicker than moving the cams? You all are so helpful. Thanks