Zebra setting puzzle

[Serena Steuart]

As Piotr said, the menu is confusing. When go into the menu, zebras, you can "Zebra Select: 2", and below that you have "Zebra Level: 70". Now you can click "70" and change that value. My error was in assuming that this referred to Z2, since that was what I'd selected. So once one knows that the value refers only to Z1, then no problem. By any simple interpretation Z2 can be adjusted (no matter what the manual says). Just bad menu labelling.

[Don Greening]

Alister's explanation:

XDCAM-USER.com Setting BOTH zebras on an XDCAM EX, very confusing!

- Don

[Michael B. McGee]

Originally Posted by Don Greening

Alister's explanation:

XDCAM-USER.com Setting BOTH zebras on an XDCAM EX, very confusing!

- Don

I hate to say it, but I don't think Alister is correct on this one. Like Piotr mentioned earlier, ONLY Zebra 1 can be adjusted, hence "Zebra1 Level" in the Zebra Menu.

[Serena Steuart]

Dear oh dear. I hate to say that communication is often surprisingly difficult. I suggest you read my words a little more carefully. Or maybe I should test Alistair's method before saying that!

[George Strother]

Just tested Allister's method on my EX1R, firmware 1.0, connected to monitor and waveform.

Any change in any order changes the setting for Zebra 1. Zebra 2 stays set to 100 IRE (98 IRE to be precise) regardless of any changes to the Zebra 2 setting.

I no longer have an EX1 to test.

[Serena Steuart]

I guess I don't read carefully either. Mr McGee wasn't supporting Alister's method, but agreeing that only Z1 can be adjusted. My checks confirm that, yet again.

[Paul Cascio]

It was stated previously that the Z1-stripes will appear when the exposure is +/- 10% of the set value? Can someone confirm this? Also, does that apply to Z2, meaning the stripes will appear at 90%?

[Clark Peters]

Z2 appears at 100% and above, based on using the "spot metering" function.

The EX1 manual says Z1 appears in a range of +-10% of the set level. I have found this is not exactly true.

I don't often have people as the main subject, so skin tone is secondary to overall exposure. I set Z1 at 95 and get zebras from 90% to 100%. Then Z2 kicks in.

If I set Z1 at a lower value, say 75%, I get zebras from ABOUT 65% to 85%.

Pete

[Omar Idris]

Originally Posted by Paul Cascio

It was stated previously that the Z1-stripes will appear when the exposure is +/- 10% of the set value? Can someone confirm this? Also, does that apply to Z2, meaning the stripes will appear at 90%?

That's what it says in the manual, but in actuality it's +/- 5% and Z1 shows up to 109%. The range doesn't change for lower values either as suggested in the previous post.

That's a negative on Z2. It will only show 100 - 109%.

[Clark Peters]

Omar, you didn't read my post correctly. I said it varied. On MY camera, I get a 10% (+-5) range if Z1 is set at 95 and a +- 10 range if Z1 is set at 75. That's why I said the manual is not accurate.

Pete

[Omar Idris]

Hi Pete
I didn't misread it, that's why I said It doesn't vary.
I can't comment on what you get on your camera, but a range of 20% (65 - 85), is a bit steep when you're trying to get around 75%. Maybe if you checked again you'd find different results. Although all cameras are individual, I doubt it's to that extent unless it's a flaw in either your camera or mine.
In my case it's always +/- 5% from 50 - 104% with the ceiling at 109% regardless.

[Michael B. McGee]

Originally Posted by Omar Idris

Hi Pete
I didn't misread it, that's why I said It doesn't vary.
I can't comment on what you get on your camera, but a range of 20% (65 - 85), is a bit steep when you're trying to get around 75%. Maybe if you checked again you'd find different results. Although all cameras are individual, I doubt it's to that extent unless it's a flaw in either your camera or mine.
In my case it's always +/- 5% from 50 - 104% with the ceiling at 109% regardless.

WTF? you two are confusing the %$#& out of us/me.

[Clark Peters]

The EX1 manual states that Z1 zebras are shown at levels that are plus or minus 10% of the set value. If the manual is correct, then setting the level at 70 would show zebras in all areas of the image with exposure levels from 60% to 80%.

What I have found with MY camera is not quite the same. If I set Z1 at 95%, then I see zebras at anything above 90% - plus or minus 5% of the set value. (Measured with the indicator in the middle of the screen. Off the top of my head I can't remember the name of the display setting and I don't have my camera with me.)

However, if I set Z1 at 75, I see zebras at levels from 65% to 85%, just like the manual says.

So the manual is right some of the time and wrong some of the time, at least in regards to the functioning of MY camera.

Thinking out loud, I wonder if gamma settings affect the zebra display. I usually use Cine 1 which really hammers on highlights. Maybe that's why my camera shows zebras in a 10% range in the top end. I don't know.

The short answer is to use the exposure level function to check your camera. What's the percentage exposure level in areas showing Z1 zebras? Then you'll know what the zebras are showing you.

Pete

[Michael B. McGee]

Originally Posted by Clark Peters

What I have found with MY camera is not quite the same. If I set Z1 at 95%, then I see zebras at anything above 90% - plus or minus 5% of the set value.

Pete

yeah, and the Focal Plane marked on the side of the camera can be off by 10 inches to more than 18" depending where your focus is set at. No matter how many times you calibrate Back Focus you're measurements will be off.

Sony has proven to us that no one is perfect. thanks a lot for the reminder Sony!!!!!!