help PLS choosing best quality

[higgs-]

hey ppl, i have a sony DCR-sr 90E HDD and i need to now what do u think is the best config to record a night concert (show) a rock one, with color lights everywhere and stuff like that...

[Dave R Smith]

Hi Higgs,
I don't know you - so comment may be obvious..

I'm not personally familiar with this camera, and i'm assuming you are 'one of the crowd' taking long shots rather than someone with permission to roam about the stage.
There may be rules about video set by show organisers - and may have to leave your camera 'at the door' - suggest a discrete phone call beforehand.

Even if camera has image stabiliser, 'wider' shots will probably come out better than zoomed in shots - where shake will be more pronounced.

Assuming you are in static position - use manual focus if available.
Low (flashing)light may lead to focus 'hunting' which means subject comes in/out of focus as lights on singer are on/off.

A monopod may be handy - if they let you in with it.

Also flashing lights could confuse the cameras iris. Probably ok on auto - but familiarise yourself with manual iris control in conjunction with manual in case of need.

I see camera has an interesting 'drop detection':
See bottom 3 paragraphs
http://www.digitmag.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=5408

I expect the later version will also deploy a parachute and send an email for support!

Keep camera recording between different shots on same track - so that you have continuous audio for editing - and can use 'cutaways' when changing shot from one angle to another.

Hope that helps.

[higgs-]

hey thx man :) it helps, but i have a problem, when a place is too highlighted it get only whit on that spot, like someone with white shirt, if spotlight points to him, i get only white stuff, is that anything to be with the Auto white ballance?

[Dave R Smith]

Hi Higgs,
The area being filmed can range from the blackest black to the whitest white (including colours and shades in between.
The camera can only display part of this range - or perhaps the whole of the range, by capturing similar colours/shades as the same colour.
In doing this it has to decide whether to capture the darker end of the spectrum, the lighter, or in the middle with bright whites over exposed and dark shadows all the same black.

This setting is determined by the iris setting which works in conjunction with the shutter speed. So my comment looks relevant - and 'auto' exposing too much for brighter subjects:


Also flashing lights could confuse the cameras iris. Probably ok on auto - but familiarise yourself with manual iris control in conjunction with manual in case of need.


White balance is the adjustment to ensure white objects appear white under different types of lighting (sun/halogen/tungsten). Set wrongly white's may for example appear with a blue tint. Coloured items will also be slightly 'off'. This is not the problem you describe (though something that you may still want to adjust).

[higgs-]

thx again man, you know about this :), i will try to set this up ;)

cya

higgs