Panasonic Lumix G7 video mode help

I am trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong or if something is wrong with my camera or lens.

I am shooting video in video mode on auto everything and the video comes out too dark. The live view shows the video being too dark with the exception of when I am actively focusing, then the live view shows how the video should be.

All pictures come out the correct brightness and show on the live view correctly. The weird thing is that when I focus the camera either auto by doing a half-press of the shutter button, or manually with the ring on the lens it shows on the live view the video being correct; however, when I stop focusing/doing a half-press the live view goes darker again.

none of the settings (ISO, WB) make any change to the darkness. When they are adjusted I can see the live view changing and then going back to the same darker video.

Any help or insight into this would help. Maybe I need a new lens. If so any recommendations on a good general lense for shooting youtube videos? I am currently using the one that came with it.

Before all,

Marc4141 wrote:

I am trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong or if something is wrong with my camera or lens.

I am shooting video in video mode on auto everything and the video comes out too dark. The live view shows the video being too dark with the exception of when I am actively focusing, then the live view shows how the video should be.

All pictures come out the correct brightness and show on the live view correctly. The weird thing is that when I focus the camera either auto by doing a half-press of the shutter button, or manually with the ring on the lens it shows on the live view the video being correct; however, when I stop focusing/doing a half-press the live view goes darker again.

none of the settings (ISO, WB) make any change to the darkness.

WB has nothing to do with brightness condition of the shot, still or video. ISO is on a more strange position.

When they are adjusted I can see the live view changing and then going back to the same darker video.

Any help or insight into this would help. Maybe I need a new lens. If so any recommendations on a good general lense for shooting youtube videos? I am currently using the one that came with it.

Not really catch the problem, but suppose the Auto in Video mode might be one of the factor behind. I suppose the "Auto on Video" = Hit the red REC button?

I guess that "Auto video" = M-video P mode.

Under P mode, shooter has no control on the exposure condition (no bias by shooter). Upon the metering mode, and the amount of light the sensor received, G7 sets the settings for a 0ev metering exposure as per its algorithm. When the brightness condition of the scene changes (e.g. panning of the camera from bright area to darker area), G7 will try everything it could (f/stop, shutter speed but I suspect it will be governed by the 180 degree rule, and ISO) to maintain a 0ev exposure. The problem is would that 0ev exposure be really correct or is actually the shooter wants? Moreover, Spot metering or Multiple metering could have different metering result leading to different exposure condition.

I guess (might be wrong) that when you re-acquire focus, brightness condition of the scene might change and then return to normal... e.g. when you half hit shutter to acquire focus, you might also ask G7 to re-metering for the exposure...

You might try the:

• M-Video (on the Mode Dial) S mode (tap on upper left corner of LCD to select S),
• set shutter speed to 180 degree rule (e.g. 30fps use 1/60"),
• set ISO ceiling to the highest of your satisfaction...

and either use the red REC button or shutter to start and stop video. If you find the brightness condition in screen too bright or too dark, use Exposure Compensation.

EC is the only mean to ask G7 to shoot at an exposure other than 0ev. In A/S, change any anchor parameters (f/stop and ISO in case of A or shutter speed and ISO on S), G7 will adjust shutter speed (in A) or f/stop (in S) to balance off any adjustments you made to maintain a 0ev exposure. So says when you increase ISO in A, G7 will use a faster shutter speed... result = same brightness condition (as no ISO increase) but a noiser output because less light for that footage.