Hi--

Thanks for your willingness to help.

Here's what's up

I've shot film for years but am recently working in beta and DV. Just
shot
on PD 150 and am confused about what is "real" with video image

a. if I go by the viewfinder, (side finder not thru the lens) it seems
to
look quite different depending on the angle that I turn it... so...the
beginning of my question what's real...? It seems to look too bright in
general.
b. I think the auto exposure is waaay off (based on the viewfinder image
and
the zebra indicator(s). When I was recently in the rainforest shooting
(all
green with some patches of light coming in), it seemed I had to close
down
the image 2 stops to get within an acceptable looking image on the
viewfinder. Also, if I set the zebra to 100, I would use that primarily
to
decide where the image "should" be - i.e. where the exposure should be
set
and it usually corresponded with what looked best on the color
viewfinder (I
have trouble understanding what I'm seeing with the black and white
finder).
But it was scary to shoot often 2 or 2 1/2 stops UNDER what the camera's
suggested exposure was.




You need a reference for exposure - and there are three...;-)
1) I set up a monitor to a give proper picture with known sources,
then hook the camera directly to it, and adjust the finder brightnesses
(and color level) to give as nearly as possible the same image when
pointing the camera around the room (then I go out and shoot in varying
conditions and see if following the finders gives correct exposure on
that monitor on playback [the side finder is useless for anything but
framing in bright light...]). The side finder should be viewed only
directly on axis for judging picture (mostly valid only in interiors).
2) The zebras can be set, then test footage taken and judged on that
calibrated monitor to calibrate your use of them (BTW, DV can handle
VERY bright light OK, like sun in the picture, though the result can
be "illegal" for broadcast - but if the bright area is small and its
on-screen time brief, I would not worry about it...).
3) The auto exposure is generally excellent on the VX2000/PD150, and
can be biased in the custom controls. On my two VX2000s I find I prefer
"-1" (- 1/2 stop) for most exterior work, and "0" for most interior work
(or "+" numbers for predominating white walls, backlight, etc.). I find
AE most useful for "grab" shots, and for starting exposures for tripod
shots, using the side "lock-and-shift" to hold or modify the exposure -
though the exposure "lock-and-shift" is more complicated on the PD150
then on the VX2000 (on the 2000, it does what it should, but on the
150 you need to lock the shutter speed and gain before using it).
Exposures for me are 95% correct shooting with the VX2000 - but it does
take some calibration and getting used to the finders, and even then,
I feel uncertain when relying on the finders alone to judge...
Once set up, try trusting AE, and modify it when you need to keep it
from shifting too much with brief backlight, etc....