GH2 Filming - To use Manual or Not to use Manual

[RotorFilms]

That is the question..

What settings do you guys use. I recently did some flying where I just filmed a MTB race just for fun, I set the camera up in "M" mode, adjusted my shutter speed, aperture, iso and white balance to the best of my ability not to over saturate the image. Then while flying at one point we were pointing straight down where the scenery was a little darker than the rest. When we played back the footage we found that any dark areas we filmed is extremely noisy.

Now my question is do you guys film in "M" or "P" and just adjust aperture and white balance?

Cheers,
Andre

 

[Benjamin Rowland]

We always film in manual mode. But you should do what works best for you.

 

[RotorFilms]

Hi Benjamin,

Thank you very much for the reply, is it safe in assuming that you guys plan a shot and then setup the camera for that shot only and so forth? I can see that working, but I'm trying to figure out what will work best if you don't have time to land and you have to do a shot that goes from light to dark scenery.

Andre

 

[Benjamin Rowland]

If I'm going from light to dark, I would try to split the difference without overexposing. Hacking the GH2 will get you better detail and a little more room in post to color-correct. If the exposure difference is extreme, then you may have to use auto iris, or use a camera with more dynamic range.

 

[RotorFilms]

Hi Ben,

We went out filming again this morning, and I took your advice with trying to spilt the difference and I must say it worked pretty well.

Thank you very much for the advice.

Andre

 

[Benjamin Rowland]

No problem! :strawberry: (my 5 year old daughter made me put this strawberry here)

 

[RotorFilms]

Nice touch...