TG3 Low light adjustements

[Ek1ipse]

Hi there,

I would like to know the best adjustements to recording with low light, Sony TG3.

thanks vm in advance

[Ek1ipse]

I was reading in another posts that using TWILIGHT mode is a good way to recording with low light.

But i wonder if i could improve the low light recordings with more adjutements...

Any advice pleaseee???

[A n d r e w]

I don't own a TG3 (I have the Panasonic equivalent, an SD9) but I believe the TG3 has an option to allow you to shoot with a 1/25s shutter speed. That will double the light compared to the usual minium (1/50s) but will not produce a good image unless there is little to no movement in the frame (including the camcorder, which should be on a tripod at a low shutter speed like 1/25).

"Low light" is a subjective phrase. If you mean indoors shooting in general, then your best bet would be to use a tripod, run the shutter at 1/50, and live with the noisy image. The best solution for low light shooting on camcorders that have small sensors is to introduce more light into the equation.

Perhaps a TG3 owner can shed more (ahem) light on the subject. But the simple fact of the matter is that there are no settings which make the camera behave as if there is more light than there actually is. In low light, indoor scenarios, it is reasonable to expect there to be a good amount of noise in the image ("graininess") and that other functions like auto-focus and white balance will operate less effectively than in brightly lit situations. Shooting in low light will typically produce low contrast video, which also hampers the apparent quality of the picture.

Andrew.

[muscleflex]

twilight mode is the only option. it'll make the screen darker but it should make the overall video sharper and less grain.
i tend not to use the cam when it's dark... it's really not designed for that. and dont use low light color mode... it's only for statis shots. sure the colors are nice but you'll get ghosting when people move.

[Ek1ipse]

Thanks for reply Andrew and muscleflex!

What about the shutter speed? better to use twilight mode only or ¿both at the same time?

brgds

[glesgaguyav]

Originally Posted by Ek1ipse

Thanks for reply Andrew and muscleflex!

What about the shutter speed? better to use twilight mode only or ¿both at the same time?

brgds

You can't use the Slow Shutter (the only shutter control) and Presets at the same time.

Twilight is as good as any for low light, it will darken the picture but reduces overall grain, some cam users believe that their cam should see everthing they see, but it just can't be done (slow shutter does try but movement is unwatchable), even movie film cameras can't see in exterme low light, look at any movie with night or dark shots the lighting is on the subjects while everything else is dark/black, what you should aim for are posed shots with light falling on the subject, if you're trying to capture a kid running round the floor then put the big lights on, it's the only way

[muscleflex]

or buy an external light (something i'm kinda thinking of... but not really that important for me)