Pana GH4: How to adjust Monitor to reflect what I'm seeing

Hi,

Looking thru the monitor to set up a shot, I get the iso where it looks right and record. I look at playback, things look ok, but when I transfer that footage to my computer, it's way darker than it appears in the GH4.

How do I adjust the monitor so I get what I'm looking at?

In the Menu, all variables in Monitor Display are centered, neither + or -, and in Monitor Luminance no option changes the appearance significantly.

best

elmer

elmerlang said:

Looking thru the monitor to set up a shot, I get the iso where it looks right and record. I look at playback, things look ok, but when I transfer that footage to my computer, it's way darker than it appears in the GH4.

How do I adjust the monitor so I get what I'm looking at?

Click to expand...

I expect this is an issue with all camera's that use an EVF. You can't trust your eye to determine the exposure you must look at the exposure meter (or better look at the histogram).

I use the E-M1iii and this is an issue as well (i.e. the exposure of the EVF does not match what you'll get in the final image). I've learned to trust the exposure meter and Histogram and not my eye's perception of the exposure from the EVF display.

EVF adjustment controls don't do much to correct the issue.

Jeff Wahaus said:

elmerlang said:

Looking thru the monitor to set up a shot, I get the iso where it looks right and record. I look at playback, things look ok, but when I transfer that footage to my computer, it's way darker than it appears in the GH4.

How do I adjust the monitor so I get what I'm looking at?

Click to expand...

I expect this is an issue with all camera's that use an EVF. You can't trust your eye to determine the exposure you must look at the exposure meter (or better look at the histogram).

I use the E-M1iii and this is an issue as well (i.e. the exposure of the EVF does not match what you'll get in the final image). I've learned to trust the exposure meter and Histogram and not my eye's perception of the exposure from the EVF display.

EVF adjustment controls don't do much to correct the issue.

Click to expand...

Hi Elmer,

Three possible issues spring to mind. Jeff W covers the first one pretty well -- exposure needs to be determined by use of the aids your camera gives you -- histogram, blinkies, etc. The second is your monitor. Is it calibrated? What settings are you using? Do you have its brightness turned down to make viewing text easier? Etc. Finally, is your viewing software using the appropriate import profiles?

Ciao,

Ghost

From the terms you've used, am I correct in thinking you are talking video rather than still?

It would help if we knew which mode you're using.

If manual, go look at the "Constant Preview" setting.

Ghost1999 said:

Jeff Wahaus said:

elmerlang said:

Looking thru the monitor to set up a shot, I get the iso where it looks right and record. I look at playback, things look ok, but when I transfer that footage to my computer, it's way darker than it appears in the GH4.

How do I adjust the monitor so I get what I'm looking at?

Click to expand...

I expect this is an issue with all camera's that use an EVF. You can't trust your eye to determine the exposure you must look at the exposure meter (or better look at the histogram).

I use the E-M1iii and this is an issue as well (i.e. the exposure of the EVF does not match what you'll get in the final image). I've learned to trust the exposure meter and Histogram and not my eye's perception of the exposure from the EVF display.

EVF adjustment controls don't do much to correct the issue.

Click to expand...

Hi Elmer,

Three possible issues spring to mind. Jeff W covers the first one pretty well -- exposure needs to be determined by use of the aids your camera gives you -- histogram, blinkies, etc. The second is your monitor. Is it calibrated? What settings are you using? Do you have its brightness turned down to make viewing text easier? Etc. Finally, is your viewing software using the appropriate import profiles?

Ciao,

Ghost

Click to expand...

This is analogous to the "dark print" syndrome - almost always due to an over-bright monitor, which must be severely dialed down to match an unmodified calibrated printer test image print.

Pete Berry said:

This is analogous to the "dark print" syndrome - almost always due to an over-bright monitor, which must be severely dialed down to match an unmodified calibrated printer test image print.

Click to expand...

And let me add... Even with a calibrated monitor and printer, a print will look significantly different than your monitor's display. Important factors: What kind of light are you looking at the print with: a 500W 5500K bulb, window light, a standard 100W bulb at night? Each will present different color/contrast/brightness.

With video the difference is significantly less. EVF's, monitors, TV's will still all present the image differently. The difference is much less than when you consider a print and how it's lit but still will be significantly different unless they're all calibrated to the same standard. The ambient light when viewing a monitor does have an effect on the image but much less than when viewing a print.

A good starting point is to use the exposure meter of your camera instead of using your eye to determine the correct exposure.

Thank you all for your replies! The information and tips are much appreciated.

I am shooting video, this is the first camera I've used where the monitor is so inaccurate.

Thanks again.

elmer