Video Camera Settings - Help Please...

[puretotty]

Following on my JGP/RAW thread... I have another "help the newbie" thread... up until 6 months ago I was shootign with a pretty simple Sony PC 120 video camera... but recently invested a big chunk of change on a Sony HD Z5E video camera... now all I need to do is work out what I should be setting the settings on lol...

I shoot in pretty small apartments usually... normally with some natural lighting, and I also throw 2x 650 Arri Juniors in to brighten things a little, even though dont usually notice too much difference with the natural light... Usually bounce the lights off the ceiling... as pointing them at the subject usually creats crazy shadows in the small area we shoot in...

So my questions are...

1. Shutter Speed... ? What shutter speed should I set the camera on ?

2. DB Gain... I under stand it improves the brightness, but at what expense ? Does a higher DB gain make the image more grainy, like when you shoot in a high ISO on a stills camera ?

3. Does using a low F stop on the iris have the same effect as the stills camera, as in blurs background ?

Thanks in advance

[DJ_Jenns]

http://www.videomaker.com/article/10418/

I don't use high end equipment but then I don't make movies or anything like that - had a quick look for you and hopefully that article should help a little bit.

General rule of thumb is that anything that artifically raises levels - sound or video, tends to increase noise or interference.

[Models First]

1. Shutter Speed - just keep it at 50

2. DB Gain - keep it at 0db unless you plan to shoot in very low-light situations. More gain = More pixelation = less quality

3. Using a low F stop will let more light into the camera (a high one less) - although a very low F Stop (if in a brightly lit room) can lead to 'bleaching' or areas that are very white. Be very careful with the LCD monitors on Sony cams, as they can be a bit misleading - the best thing is to make sure that your Zebra bars are on (check the menu settings) and work it from them - make sure that you can see them - and if need be, light it up in post. Just like cooking with salt - you can always add, never take it away (once it's bleached that is)

hope this helps

Gareth

[puretotty]

Hmmm.... I have been shooting at around 1000 shutter speed... is this way too quick ? Cause of this I have pretty much had to have DB Gain 18 set !

I thought at speeds like 50 it would make the image blurry if the model moved ??? Is 50 really doable ?

I never used the Zebra Bars Justin, dont really understand what they do or represent lol another thing I guess I need to read up on Such a newbie...

Thanks to both of you who have given me feedback so far

[paul jones]

Wider iris, smaller depth of field.

[SimonD]

I agree with the advice here, and I like the analogy about the salt - very true.

50 is ideal I find, unless your shooting fast movement, but I rarely stray from 50.

Ligting wise, sometimes your photo lamps set up is better than bouncing your video lights, the bounced lighting gives a softer look and feel but try direct model lamps on full power on a soft box, you get a lower DOF but if you shoot on the wider end of your lens it shouldn't be an issue (you also get less focus hunting on a wider lens) for zooms I move in, I rarely ever use zoom.
That said, it sounds like you have a lot more natural light than I get, but try it, you may hate it but experimenting is always a good thing in my opinion.

If your still stuck, stick it on auto and look at what the camera suggests, take an note of them and it should give you a good starting point for manual, I'm pretty certain you will raley see such a high shutter speed than your using unless your outdoors.

[puretotty]

OK guys... thanks for your input I will have a little experiment with the camera and see what the results look like