Video Camera for Recording Performances

[MORRG]

On recomendation we bought a panasonic NV-GS230 video camera for use at the school I work in to record performances.

 

I know that cameras demand a lot more light than the eye to get a sharp noiseless image but for some reason we are getting no detail, very blotchy video and anything white gets completely distorted. Has anyone got any suggestions on how we can improve the quality, would a wide angle lens adapter improve things by allowing me to move the camera closer to the action? I have tried every option on the camera and in the manual but with no success.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

 

Thanks.

 

Matt

[broadcast_techie]

Cameras like flat end even lighting, any hotspots, and white will cause the camera to over expose.

Our eyes are very good at balancing light levels, but cameras are not.

Have a look here: http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=41213 you may find some tips.

 

Not really knowing anything about the camera, does it have a 'spotlight' mode, or the ability to reduce the overall exposure (not lock) - I always have to set my XL1 about 1 or 2 stops down when shooting a wide of a stage.

 

Kris

[Bobbsy]

Modern cameras are actually pretty sensitive and don't need especially bright lighting...in fact, in dim light the picture can often look brighter than what your eye sees.

 

However, as broadcast technician says, what they don't like is contrast. From what you're saying, you're taping a locked off wide shot. The camera is setting its exposure to an average for the whole stage...and the highlights are too bright for this average and washing out.

 

If you were doing the show for TV specifically, I'd say change the lighting to be much more flat and even...and to some extent perhaps you should watch your contrast ratio even for the live audience. However, the other suggestion I'd make is to set your camera to manual exposure and, before the audience is in, set the lighting to the brightest state and then zoom in on the brightest area. Once there, set the exposure for this, then leave it in manual.

 

If your contrast ratio is big, doing it this way will result in properly exposed highlights but may lose detail in the shadows. However, as a compromise, this will likely be more pleasing to the eye than burned out highlights.

 

Bob