On Sat, 15 Jun 2002 19:11:31 -0500, Joseph M. Schmoe wrote:

>I use a Sony PD-150 both for video productions but also for live
>broadcasting on screens with video projectors at a church service. The
>church is pretty high tech with thematic sets, intelligent lighting,
>dramas, etc.
>
>The problem I'm having is with autoexposure on the PD-150, and putting
>settings in manual mode. Depending on what's going on on the stage,
>the image on the screens can jump pretty greatly from too dark to too
>light. This is to be expected with light settings changing all the
>time, and we usually need the autoexposure helping some fairly
>untrained camera operators. . What we can't live with is once the
>sermon starts, we'll have the pastor on camera and if he lifts his
>arms up and we have a dark backdrop, the camera re-adjusts the
>exposure. And since he talks with his hands, the image exposure is
>constantly shifting.
>
>Okay, I know, turn off auto exposure. But it seems it's hard to get
>the PD-150 to cooperate with going into full manual mode. So many
>adjustments have to be made, and we can't leave it on full manual for
>the whole service; we want it just for the sermon.
>
>So I have 2 questions:
>1) Any advice for the PD-150? Ways to get it to play nicely with our
>projectors?
>
>2) We're getting a second camera, and I'm considering a Cannon GL-1 (I
>don't think the XL-1 is a needed upgrade just for broadcasting onto
>the screens. Any thoughts?) I'm just wondering if the GL-1 is easier
>to put into manual mode so we don't have these shifting exposure
>problems. Any other camera other than the GL-1 I should consider?

As others have noted, it is not all that difficult to set
up the PD150 for quick switching between auto and manual
control. The VX2000 would be the alternative, if you buy
another camera, since the picture is identical, and the
auto-manual button on the side does not require locking down
two of the three variables first (and the GL-1 picture is
inferior, and the higher picture contrast would make *any*
exposure determination more difficult than with the
VX2000/PD150...).