Phil Brown

Yes, some scene files do have settings that reduce response to light F5 & F6 progressive settings particularly. The DVX100 is not a good choice in low light - I have been frustrated by it many times and seen $600 handycams blow it away - but with light of course, it's magnificent. You can try using video gain settings to improve light tresponse, but remember, you will increase the grain considerably.

ASA for DVX100 DVX100 guru Barry Green writes a great chapter on this in his "The DVX Book" a great tool for any DVX owner. There is a lot of technical analysis and he lists the testing conditions - well worth reading. Testing was verified with a sekonic L-508C lightmeter in spotmeter mode, and a waveform monitor to guage camera response. The general conclusion is that the DVX100 is variable but as a general guide, rate the camera at 640ASA in progressive and 1000ASA in interlaced mode and you will be within 1/2 stop of being accurate (diff between 400ASA and 640ASA is 1/2 stop and from 640ASA to 800ASA is about 1/4 stop). Available light will cause variations - at f/2.8 progerssive he tested 400ASA in progressive and f/16 800ASA (and 1280ASA interlaced) so... 640ASA progressive is a pretty safe call for most situations - if possible use DV Rack on a calibrated monitor or laptop to really see what the camera is recording. Hope this helps. Phil Brown Video Production Melbourne

Thanks Bob, Yes I'm using the Panasonic DVX100A camera. Great tip about sticking the focus chart onto the back of the camera. I think I just need to ensure a solid DOF and I'll be OK. Also picked up on a great DOF discussion on DVXuser.com you might find interesting - mainly based around this camera but ventures into 35mm turf. DVXuser DOF thread Barry Green has posted some great info - quite a lively discussion. Thanks again Bob. Phil

I am filming a piece tomorrow night that will be released as a tv documentary. Will need to follow the interviewer through a backstage tv set, to various points where he will stop and interview guests. Can anyone advise the best way to keep focus. My plan is to keep zoomed out to zero and set focus at MF99 for walking shots, and then to between MF35-50 for the interview closeups. I'm worried that I will overshoot the focus points under pressure resulting in a second or so of crappy focus during the closeups. Also need to pan occasionally between interviewer and interviewee. All of the interviews I have shot so far were fixed subjects. Should I just use auto focus and take the heat off? Would appreciate your expert opinions. Phil

Have a DVX 100AE sample video of Melbourne musician Lindsay Buckland on my site (corporate video tab) you can check out. The flash images take a few seconds to load but then its pretty easy to navigate. DVX Footage is mixed with some stock jungle footage - you'll understand when you see it. DVX-100AE PAL camera, overcast day, monopod, no lighting. Plenty of other clips on the site - mainly corporae video stuff. feedback welcome... Phil My Webpage