Help required with video recording via camera

Forums › Digital Imaging › Help required with video recording via camera - too much stage light

ToPGuNZ

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#277380 12-Oct-2020 10:00

Hi Geekzone community,

I have a Panasonic FZ200 camera. I mostly use auto mode for videos and I find that in most instances, when filming at an indoor venue with stage lighting, that the camera takes in too much light and the video whites out the content. I think this is due to the type of camera and that the lens on it lets in a lot of light (full range F2.8 aperture) so in the environment like an auditorium with stage lighting there is just too much light going on for the camera to handle.

Can anyone help with guiding me on any way to improve this, what manual setting could I look into learning so I can adjust it. Is it just a matter of being further back in the auditorium?

Here is a snap shot from a video recording of a stage with background art that cannot be seen due to too much light.

Thank you.

Oblivian

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#2582910 12-Oct-2020 10:23

Exposure compensation may help. Though unsure if it will apply to video.

According to most manuals it is adjust the rear dial, this should offset from '0' and make it under expose, likely close up the lens iris a bit and lower the Fstop toward F5 or so.

According to the exposure triangle, and looking at the amount of dark in the scene, it may be tricky in that case. With video I thin the ISO and 'shutter' remains somewhat fixed, Adjusting the F-stop for the conditions. You would want to find a midpoint ISO (sensitivity to light/dark) and then compensate using above, or go full manual beforehand if it allows and dial it in.

ToPGuNZ

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2584396 14-Oct-2020 17:13

Oblivian:

Exposure compensation may help. Though unsure if it will apply to video.

According to most manuals it is adjust the rear dial, this should offset from '0' and make it under expose, likely close up the lens iris a bit and lower the Fstop toward F5 or so.

According to the exposure triangle, and looking at the amount of dark in the scene, it may be tricky in that case. With video I thin the ISO and 'shutter' remains somewhat fixed, Adjusting the F-stop for the conditions. You would want to find a midpoint ISO (sensitivity to light/dark) and then compensate using above, or go full manual beforehand if it allows and dial it in.

Thank you Oblivian for your advice, I have another opportunity this weekend to try out the settings so will have a play.

Oblivian

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ID Verified

#2584447 14-Oct-2020 17:45

A dirty test you can try is in the room that's got your computer / monitor, turn the lights out and put something visible on the screen

Stand on the opposite side of the room on wide angle and you might get a feel for how it responds. Adjusting until you can actually read what's on the screen

But keep in mind if there are extremes anything else in the dark areas might still appear dark. Getting the perfect in between can be hard

I used to fight that with roller derby under fluorescent lights and no fill to light faces