On Wed, 17 Apr 2002 20:15:29 +1000, Mark wrote:

>On my Sony VX2000E there is a custom preset menu to allow adjustments to
>sharpness, white-balance, colour intensity and exposure shift - are
>these digital manipulations and should they be best left on the default
>settings? (instead performed in my editing software).

These controls are VERY(!!!) useful for optimizing
the VX2000 picture under various shooting conditions.
(For some of my preferences in settings, see the review
at: www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm.)
These controls also allow you to optimize the picture
characteristics for various subject types, like
close-up nature (increase saturation slightly, increase
"warmth" slightly, decrease exposure a bit - for a rich,
"luscious" image); interiors for speakers/meetings
(decrease saturation, "cool" the AWB, increase AE-bias
[especially with predominant white walls]); "happy"
events (saturation "normal" [which is actually slightly
high], color "normal - AWB" [which is actually slightly
warm] for interiors - or for exteriors use "+1" in
warmth with DWB). With all, use one notch up on
sharpness (more does little but exaggerate edge
and motion ill effects, but a little increases
"crispness" of textures and fine detail a bit...).
Experiment, learn what these controls can do for
you, and you will NEVER leave them all on the
default settings again, since the possible improvements
in the already excellent picture are not subtle! ;-)
You can duplicate most of these changes while editing,
but rendering these can take considerable time. Also,
the camera "default" settings may be far from "neutral"
in some shooting situations (particularly tungsten-lit
interiors), and using them can aid in improving the
appearance of the picture while continuing to use
the excellent auto controls.