>>FM in Toronto wrote:

>>I find it best to use AUTO controller .. unless you are very expert and

>>in unusual lighting conditions the camera knows better than you

On 19 Apr 2003 03:36:27 GMT, andyscam@aol.com (Andys cam) wrote:

>This is true for the inexperienced, but someone at the PD150 user level can

>certanly best determine if an adjustment to exposure is in order to obtain the

>desired look.

This is true, and the camera provides several exposure

options for doing it: full-manual (requires locking down

all three of the variables - and the aperture "jumps" in

1/2-stop increments); full program auto (with the ability

to lock and shift the exposure only if 2 of the variables

have been locked, unlike with the VX2000 where a single

button touch will lock the exposure); AE-A and AE-S (in

which the aperture or shutter speed can be locked, letting

the gain and shutter speed or aperture move [the gain can

also be separately locked]); with all, exposure bias can

be applied for particular conditions in the "custom

controls" (QUITE useful when in auto modes!), and the

exposure can also be affected by the use of the two

built-in ND filters and the spotlight/backlight buttons

(I never use the last...). Mebbe not the best exposition

or explanation of the options, but there are many for

controlling the exposure with this camera (including

"aids" like "zebra stripes" and decent VFs, which when

set up and used with experience, can provide a good guide

for exposure [though a good monitor will always be better,

if practical to use...]). There is no one method for

exposure control that serves for all type of shooting,

but this camera has enough options (including some very

good auto-exposure bias and partial-lock options) that it

can be used fairly easily in most lighting situations...