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Picture controls-
this row of buttons switches between auto and manual modes for each function.
The switch can be set to ‘auto lock’, which means
ALL
functions are automatic;
To the central position which enables individual adjustment of functions;
To ‘hold’, which will freeze the current settings until released.
When a function is under manual control, the settings will appear on the LCD screen or viewfinder
window.
Audio levels
Iris Gain Shutter speed White Balance
When the function is under auto control, the camera will not display the settings to you. They will
constantly change depending on light and sound levels and the colour of the light at the time.
Iris:
The Iris controls how much light reaches the sensors in the camera. This is known as the ‘exposure’.
The information is displayed with an ‘F’ and a number. The number
increases
as the iris
closes
and lets
less
light in. So the more light there is in the room, the higher the ‘f-stop’ (a photographic measurement of light)
and the narrower the iris has to be.
To manually control the iris, you can
use the control knob towards the front of the
camera:
Iris knob
Gain switch
However
, the LCD screen can be deceptive when it comes to light levels. You might not be able to tell if the
exposure is right.
For a safer way to get the exposure right:
Press the Iris ‘auto’ button, allow the iris to adjust automatically,
then lock it manually by pressing the button again.
-If you are filming a person, it is a good idea to zoom in and fill the screen with their skin before you press
the auto Iris button.
-When you have set the Iris using the auto function, you can then decide if you want it a bit brighter or a bit
darker- depending on what effect you are going for. But the auto setting should give you a good guide to start
from.
Gain:
Gain is a way of digitally boosting the light levels in your picture without getting any more light into
the camera. As with all non-optical methods of brightening footage, it can cause graininess and a decline in
picture quality.
-Try not to use gain unless it is so dark that you absolutely have to. First you should try getting more light
into a scene, and if there is not much movement in the scene slowing the shutter speed can help too.
-For this reason,
never
switch the Gain to Auto unless you are filming a documentary where you have to
move swiftly between bright and dark locations and you absolutely can’t stop to adjust the camera manually.
-Ideally you would be able to see ‘0dB’ on the screen at all times.
