Camcorder Terminology Explained

Posted on 11/9/2009 12:15:00 PM

Talk about ND Filter, Gain, Shutter Speed and Aperture value affecting output.

Talking to a fellow videographer on using the Canon XH-A1 camera, I tried to explain what all these setting means,
 

ND Filter

ND (Neutral Density) filter can be used when there is strong light around to void over exposure. Adding the ND filter allows flexibility in setting the shutter speed and aperture settings.
 

Gain

Always avoid gain! Gain = Grain. It is an electronic noise added to the scene to boost brightness in a bad way. For XH-A1, I always suggest shooting -3db outdoor, and 0db indoor.
 

Shutter Speed

Increae the shutter speed will limit the amount of light enter to the sensor. The higher the shutter speed the less light goes into the sensor.
 
I have heard the movie "Saving Private Ryan" at the opening sequence, it adopts a very high shutter speed. So the scene looks very dim, crisp/sharp and no motion blur. This high shutter speed, it creates a strobbing effect. It tends to make viewer very uncomfortable. That's exactly what the director wanted to archieve.. to make the audience feel unsettleing to see this opening war seqeunce.
 

Aperture Size

Larger iris (lower Aperture/Av value) will allow more light to go into the sensor. It also add a fake "depth of field" feel similar to using a DOF adapter. If shooting outdoor with small Av value (thus large iris size), that will make the scene over-exposed. So the shutter speed need to be increased or or to apply the ND filter to limit the amount light. This trick is also called "Portrait" mode in many camera.
 
Did I get everything right? If not, please share your thought.

 

Comments

Return to blog home page       Subscribe Mailing List

Latest Activity

Comments on "ALL-I vs IPB"

"[b][/b] ..."

Posted by 3aplus63minee
on 4/19/2020Read More

Blog Archive

 
2017
Dec 15    Facebook Group Photo Template (1)
Dec 1    Great Harddrives Storage Case 
Oct 20    Cables Required to Record Sound Feed from DJ 
Oct 12    Should I Offer Wedding Video Raw Footage? 
Oct 5    Digital Delivery for Event Filmmaker at BVA 
Sep 29    Awesome RODE PinMic  
Sep 15    Wedding Film Project Delivered using TakyBox vs Vimeo Pro  Feature Article
Sep 6    No More Sandbags 
Aug 28    External Backup System with Harddrive Dock 
Aug 8    ALL-I vs IPB (2)
Jul 24    Sole Proprietor, DBA, LLC, S-Corp...  Feature Article
Jul 17    Cloud Storage vs Cloud Backup (1)
Jun 12    Copyright Infringement Strike  
Apr 18    Audio Acquisition Comparison 
Mar 16    Color Tone Of Your Film 
Jan 8    Backup and Editing Workflow 
Jan 2    TakyBox V3 Official Release  Feature Article
 
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
 

Blog Home
Join Mailing List