Exposing the camera / procedure

[Almanac]

Hey all, first post on this forum.

I have ACd on the RED ONE and opped it once but now I am DPing my first feature on it. It’ll be all interiors and probably the old sensor (Not MX). I am trying to plan to what extent I’ll use my meters (I have both an incident and a spot meter) and to what extent I’ll rely on false colours and the other exposure tools built into the camera. I plan to rate at the camera at 320 but will conduct a few tests to confirm this.

I wanted to ask how the DPs on here expose the camera, that is, what tools you use, and if there are any specific tests you recommend I do, apart from the standard ASA and dynamic range tests.

I must admit that the whole RAW / Looks thing throws me off a bit. I understand it, but I still don’t know how I will deal with it procedurally - which one will I switch my monitors to? The Look, presumably, but do you then recommend testing that as well to check it is an adequate exposure guide with reference to the RAW?? I was planning to create a Look on one of the DIT programs and transfer that to the camera.

Thanks

 

[Ariel Weiss]

Good luck!

If shooting tungsten I'd rate 250 iso. Use your meter to prelight and scout, use the camera for final fine tuning exposure, It's the most accurate, it is what being recorded. Make sure the latest build is installed on the camera and learn it. learn to get quickly to all the exposure and focus assists and make sure your sound man knows the same regarding sound menus. your best friends are the histogram, traffic lights and false color. use also goal posts for both under and over protection. most important- test everything from shooting to post and delivery.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I would also recommend that you find a good post house with a reliable monitor (or projector) and view your tests prior to the start of production. That way, you'll get a better idea of where the limits are in terms of exposure, plus what can be corrected later on and what can't.

Bear in mind that the in-camera looks can always be superseded by what you choose to do in the final color-correction pass.

 

[Almanac]

Thanks guys. Just to make sure, when I am viewing the look and go into false colours, that relates to the RAW even though I am viewing the look yes? Am I right? And does this apply to all exposure aids while viewing the look?