Adusting the exposure when video recording on the Panasonic G7 camera

Not certain if this belongs in the video part of the forum but it relates to the Panasonic G7 camera.

I'm trying to teach myself to record manually when recording video.

I've set the shutter speed to twice the frame rate and set the aperture to around f16 as the shutter speeds is a low 1/50 sec (frame rate 25 fps). I can't see anyway of making the iso auto so it compensates for changes in exposure so I was wondering if there is anyway of altering the aperture or iso setting while I am recording; if I pan the camera to a shaded area I need more exposure.

I'm looking for an easy way of quickly adjusting the exposure such as putting my finger on one of the camera dials to make adjustments while continuously recording.

Brian

Brisn5757 wrote:

Not certain if this belongs in the video part of the forum but it relates to the Panasonic G7 camera.

I'm trying to teach myself to record manually when recording video.

I've set the shutter speed to twice the frame rate and set the aperture to around f16

I won't use f/16 unless I need that DoF (eq to f/32 on FF) since diffraction will soften the output.

While it is too bright, use a ND filter instead.

as the shutter speeds is a low 1/50 sec (frame rate 25 fps). I can't see anyway of making the iso auto so it compensates for changes in exposure so I was wondering if there is anyway of altering the aperture or iso setting while I am recording; if I pan the camera to a shaded area I need more exposure.

I usually shoot with S in M-video mode. Set the SS at 180 degree rule, Auto ISO. Use Exposure Compensation for the brightness condition of the footage. TBH I had used faster shutter speed (e.g. 1/120" for 30 fps) and the output remains smooth.

If it is too bright, a ND filter is the best.

I'm looking for an easy way of quickly adjusting the exposure such as putting my finger on one of the camera dials to make adjustments while continuously recording.

Brian

On GX85 and G85, I set the front dial to control Exposure Compensation for quick operation.

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

Not certain if this belongs in the video part of the forum but it relates to the Panasonic G7 camera.

I'm trying to teach myself to record manually when recording video.

I've set the shutter speed to twice the frame rate and set the aperture to around f16

I won't use f/16 unless I need that DoF (eq to f/32 on FF) since diffraction will soften the output.

While it is too bright, use a ND filter instead.

as the shutter speeds is a low 1/50 sec (frame rate 25 fps). I can't see anyway of making the iso auto so it compensates for changes in exposure so I was wondering if there is anyway of altering the aperture or iso setting while I am recording; if I pan the camera to a shaded area I need more exposure.

I usually shoot with S in M-video mode. Set the SS at 180 degree rule, Auto ISO. Use Exposure Compensation for the brightness condition of the footage. TBH I had used faster shutter speed (e.g. 1/120" for 30 fps) and the output remains smooth.

If it is too bright, a ND filter is the best.

I'm looking for an easy way of quickly adjusting the exposure such as putting my finger on one of the camera dials to make adjustments while continuously recording.

Brian

On GX85 and G85, I set the front dial to control Exposure Compensation for quick operation.

Hi alcelc.

It's more a case of being too dark.
For example if I pan to a dark area of a scene that's in shadows I'd need a way of opening up the aperture more to let more light to the sensor.
It's either adjusting the sensor or adjusting the ISO.
Maybe there is a way of temp assigning the Iso or aperture to one of the cameras control wheels so that I can make adjustments while recording.

I noticed in your text that you used Auto ISO, I have not found a way to do this in the camera video recording mode. If you know how it's done then please let me know.

Brian

El Jeffe wrote:

First of all get a neutral density filter on your lens so you don’t have to use f/16 in bright light. Then you can make exposure adjustments to the aperture manually or shoot in shutter priority mode for auto aperture.

There are also variable ND filters, but they do weird things to color.

I suggest on old legacy lens with manual aperture ring. You can get them “de-clicked” for smooth aperture changes. Some lens adapters have an aperture control ring built in as well.

I'd need a variable ND filter to make adjustments as I record video but if they do weird things to colour then they are of no use to me.

The biggest problem when recording video in the manual mode is sudden changing in light, such as panning to a dark area.

The G7 has many features and can be custom setup so I was hoping to either find a way to use auto ISO or set up one of the cameras control wheels to be used to adjust the aperture or ISO setting.

It was useful when older lens have a ring to adjust the aperture but old lens are hard to find and most use the camera settings for aperture exposure.

Brian

Brisn5757 wrote:

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

Not certain if this belongs in the video part of the forum but it relates to the Panasonic G7 camera.

I'm trying to teach myself to record manually when recording video.

I've set the shutter speed to twice the frame rate and set the aperture to around f16

I won't use f/16 unless I need that DoF (eq to f/32 on FF) since diffraction will soften the output.

While it is too bright, use a ND filter instead.

as the shutter speeds is a low 1/50 sec (frame rate 25 fps). I can't see anyway of making the iso auto so it compensates for changes in exposure so I was wondering if there is anyway of altering the aperture or iso setting while I am recording; if I pan the camera to a shaded area I need more exposure.

I usually shoot with S in M-video mode. Set the SS at 180 degree rule, Auto ISO. Use Exposure Compensation for the brightness condition of the footage. TBH I had used faster shutter speed (e.g. 1/120" for 30 fps) and the output remains smooth.

If it is too bright, a ND filter is the best.

I'm looking for an easy way of quickly adjusting the exposure such as putting my finger on one of the camera dials to make adjustments while continuously recording.

Brian

On GX85 and G85, I set the front dial to control Exposure Compensation for quick operation.

Hi alcelc.

It's more a case of being too dark.

If you are not in M mode, G7 should be able to adjust the exposure for us, might not be as we wanted, but at least to 0ev metering.

For example if I pan to a dark area of a scene that's in shadows I'd need a way of opening up the aperture more to let more light to the sensor.

Doing exposure compensation (EC) is likely to rectify the condition when the brightness on certain section not to our satisfaction.

It's either adjusting the sensor or adjusting the ISO.

We can't adjust the sensor. 😋

The same as still shooting, in A or S mode under M-video, we set either the f/stop or shutter speed, G7 adjusts on the remaining parameter and ISO to keep 0ev meter exposure.

Maybe there is a way of temp assigning the Iso or aperture to one of the cameras control wheels so that I can make adjustments while recording.

I am not on my computer hence cannot access to the G7 manual. But I trust UP cursor key can set ISO.

I noticed in your text that you used Auto ISO, I have not found a way to do this in the camera video recording mode. If you know how it's done then please let me know.

Brian

As per G7's manual that I read, Auto ISO is available to M-video.

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

Not certain if this belongs in the video part of the forum but it relates to the Panasonic G7 camera.

I'm trying to teach myself to record manually when recording video.

I've set the shutter speed to twice the frame rate and set the aperture to around f16

I won't use f/16 unless I need that DoF (eq to f/32 on FF) since diffraction will soften the output.

While it is too bright, use a ND filter instead.

as the shutter speeds is a low 1/50 sec (frame rate 25 fps). I can't see anyway of making the iso auto so it compensates for changes in exposure so I was wondering if there is anyway of altering the aperture or iso setting while I am recording; if I pan the camera to a shaded area I need more exposure.

I usually shoot with S in M-video mode. Set the SS at 180 degree rule, Auto ISO. Use Exposure Compensation for the brightness condition of the footage. TBH I had used faster shutter speed (e.g. 1/120" for 30 fps) and the output remains smooth.

If it is too bright, a ND filter is the best.

I'm looking for an easy way of quickly adjusting the exposure such as putting my finger on one of the camera dials to make adjustments while continuously recording.

Brian

On GX85 and G85, I set the front dial to control Exposure Compensation for quick operation.

Hi alcelc.

It's more a case of being too dark.

If you are not in M mode, G7 should be able to adjust the exposure for us, might not be as we wanted, but at least to 0ev metering.

For example if I pan to a dark area of a scene that's in shadows I'd need a way of opening up the aperture more to let more light to the sensor.

Doing exposure compensation (EC) is likely to rectify the condition when the brightness on certain section not to our satisfaction.

It's either adjusting the sensor or adjusting the ISO.

We can't adjust the sensor. 😋

The same as still shooting, in A or S mode under M-video, we set either the f/stop or shutter speed, G7 adjusts on the remaining parameter and ISO to keep 0ev meter exposure.

Maybe there is a way of temp assigning the Iso or aperture to one of the cameras control wheels so that I can make adjustments while recording.

I am not on my computer hence cannot access to the G7 manual. But I trust UP cursor key can set ISO.

I noticed in your text that you used Auto ISO, I have not found a way to do this in the camera video recording mode. If you know how it's done then please let me know.

Brian

As per G7's manual that I read, Auto ISO is available to M-video.

Thanks aleclc.

Thanks for the info.
I made a mistake in my text I meant adjust the aperture and not adjust the sensor.
Good to know that what I need is in the manual as having an Auto ISO should solve the problem as long as the ISO does not get to high as noise can be more noticeable than in a still photo.
Must take another look at the manual.

Brian

El Jeffe wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

El Jeffe wrote:

First of all get a neutral density filter on your lens so you don’t have to use f/16 in bright light. Then you can make exposure adjustments to the aperture manually or shoot in shutter priority mode for auto aperture.

There are also variable ND filters, but they do weird things to color.

I suggest on old legacy lens with manual aperture ring. You can get them “de-clicked” for smooth aperture changes. Some lens adapters have an aperture control ring built in as well.

I'd need a variable ND filter to make adjustments as I record video but if they do weird things to colour then they are of no use to me.

The biggest problem when recording video in the manual mode is sudden changing in light, such as panning to a dark area.

The G7 has many features and can be custom setup so I was hoping to either find a way to use auto ISO or set up one of the cameras control wheels to be used to adjust the aperture or ISO setting.

It was useful when older lens have a ring to adjust the aperture but old lens are hard to find and most use the camera settings for aperture exposure.

Brian

Don’t know where you come from but old lenses are very easy to find where I am.
I often shoot live theater performance where light is constantly changing. Everything is completely manual. Shutter speed is fixed and does not change. That leaves ISO, and aperture to work with. I use the fastest lens possible to keep the ISO low as possible. I adjust exposure with aperture sometimes from f/1.2 to f/11 in one show.

For video I'd need zoom lens of at least 10x zoom which reduces the chance of finding old lens with a aperture ring.

Brian

On the mode dial on top, put it in S mode, which is shutter priority. Make sure your shutter is at 1/60. Panning from dark to light will change the aperture automatically. Keep in mind, the camera thinks you're in photo mode, and displays the 4x3 photo aspect ratio. When you press the video record button, the format changes to the video aspect ratio. If you're in 4k, it will crop in significantly.

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it) but the auto aperture accomplishes the same thing. You might want to check your ISO to see if it's high enough for the dark part of the scene.

Or, if you always want to shoot video in S mode, you can go into the menu (while in creative video mode on the mode dial) and set exposure to S mode. I've never done this, since I always use manual settings, but I'm pretty sure it would work. The problem would be if you wanted to switch to all manual settings in the middle of a shoot (compensating for backlighting, for example) - you'd either have to dive back into the menu, or use the mode dial set on M and then deal with the 4X3 aspect ratio until you start filming.

You can also change aperture while filming in creative video mode with whichever top dial is assigned to aperture, but it wouldn't be smooth, it would change in steps.

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Well... that's good to know. I only shoot video with my G7, and I couldn't find auto ISO in video mode, just like you said.

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Hi hindesite.

Where exactly is the auto ISO option when I'm in the M mode for video, I'd like to find it in the camera settings. Can you guide me please.

Brian

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Hi hindesite.

Where exactly is the setting for the iso auto option when the camera is in M mode for video?

Can you guide me please

(PS. I hope you don't get this message repeated as I seemed to have lost my first post to you).

Brian

uncle dunc wrote:

On the mode dial on top, put it in S mode, which is shutter priority. Make sure your shutter is at 1/60. Panning from dark to light will change the aperture automatically. Keep in mind, the camera thinks you're in photo mode, and displays the 4x3 photo aspect ratio. When you press the video record button, the format changes to the video aspect ratio. If you're in 4k, it will crop in significantly.

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it) but the auto aperture accomplishes the same thing. You might want to check your ISO to see if it's high enough for the dark part of the scene.

Or, if you always want to shoot video in S mode, you can go into the menu (while in creative video mode on the mode dial) and set exposure to S mode. I've never done this, since I always use manual settings, but I'm pretty sure it would work. The problem would be if you wanted to switch to all manual settings in the middle of a shoot (compensating for backlighting, for example) - you'd either have to dive back into the menu, or use the mode dial set on M and then deal with the 4X3 aspect ratio until you start filming.

You can also change aperture while filming in creative video mode with whichever top dial is assigned to aperture, but it wouldn't be smooth, it would change in steps.

Hi uncle dunc.

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm not certain if the camera varies the shutter speed that much or maybe it has a set default speed or about 1/50 sec. So there may not be that much advantage of uing the S mode on the camera. 
What I'm trying to do is to get some practice in recording video using the manual mode. Maybe this mode is not so great for panning into dark scenes where there are big changes of light. The manual mode could be good for recording entertainment on a stage as the exposure should be the same in most cases.

Brian

Brisn5757 wrote:

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Hi hindesite.

Where exactly is the auto ISO option when I'm in the M mode for video, I'd like to find it in the camera settings. Can you guide me please.

Brian

On G85 and GX85 I do the following:

• Select M-video on Mode Dial, 
• Tap the icon of M-Video on the upper left corner of LCD to select S in case you are not in M-Video S mode,
• Set shutter speed to 180 degree rule through the dial (I use the front dial),
• IIRC hit Up cursor to enter ISO menu, select Auto ISO.

Use either the shutter or the red REC button to start video shooting. If the screen looks too dark or bright for certain period of time (usually a second or so and the camera cannot adjust by itself), use Exposure Compensation.

I suppose G7 should be the same.

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Hi hindesite.

Where exactly is the auto ISO option when I'm in the M mode for video, I'd like to find it in the camera settings. Can you guide me please.

Brian

On G85 and GX85 I do the following:

• Select M-video on Mode Dial,
• Tap the icon of M-Video on the upper left corner of LCD to select S in case you are not in M-Video S mode,
• Set shutter speed to 180 degree rule through the dial (I use the front dial),
• IIRC hit Up cursor to enter ISO menu, select Auto ISO.

Use either the shutter or the red REC button to start video shooting. If the screen looks too dark or bright for certain period of time (usually a second or so and the camera cannot adjust by itself), use Exposure Compensation.

I suppose G7 should be the same.

Thanks for the info alcelc.

I've been setting the top dial to the video mode and setting the camera to m-video in the cameras menu so maybe that's why I did not get the auto ISO setting.

I'll try your setting shortly thanks. I'm not certain what the 180 degree setting rule is for setting the shutter speed. I was told the shutter speed should be double the frame rate (which is 25 or 50 fps in my case).

Brian

Brisn5757 wrote:

alcelc wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

hindesite wrote:

uncle dunc wrote:

I don't think the G7 has auto ISO, (if it does, I haven't found it)

Of course the G7 has auto ISO. It even has it in M mode for stills.

However the OP is correct in that in video M mode, there is no AutoISO, so the work around is to not use M mode, as you suggest. But AutoISO is also available when you use P, A, or M modes for video, which might be a big help in some situations.

Hi hindesite.

Where exactly is the auto ISO option when I'm in the M mode for video, I'd like to find it in the camera settings. Can you guide me please.

Brian

On G85 and GX85 I do the following:

• Select M-video on Mode Dial,
• Tap the icon of M-Video on the upper left corner of LCD to select S in case you are not in M-Video S mode,
• Set shutter speed to 180 degree rule through the dial (I use the front dial),
• IIRC hit Up cursor to enter ISO menu, select Auto ISO.

Use either the shutter or the red REC button to start video shooting. If the screen looks too dark or bright for certain period of time (usually a second or so and the camera cannot adjust by itself), use Exposure Compensation.

I suppose G7 should be the same.

Thanks for the info alcelc.

You are welcome.

I've been setting the top dial to the video mode and setting the camera to m-video in the cameras menu so maybe that's why I did not get the auto ISO setting.

IIRC models before GX85 and G85, Panny cameras do not support auto ISO in M. I guess G7 like GX7, no auto ISO in M.

However auto ISO is limited to still shooting, not allowed on video yet.

I'll try your setting shortly thanks. I'm not certain what the 180 degree setting rule is for setting the shutter speed. I was told the shutter speed should be double the frame rate (which is 25 or 50 fps in my case).

You are already using the 180 degree shutter rule. 🤗

Brian

alcelc wrote:

However auto ISO is limited to still shooting, not allowed on video yet...

I think we're confusing the guy. If you set the camera to M mode on the mode dial, (not Creative Video mode on the mode dial) auto ISO is available. I just tried it on my G7 -  Rolled some video and panned between a dark corner and a bright light. It took the camera a couple of seconds to readjust so the bright light wasn't activating the zebras.

OP - the 180 degree shutter rule is the same as shooting 1/60th for 30p video, or 1/50 for 24p video. I'm really not familiar with shooting in any of the auto modes, but I would choose M on the mode dial so you can set your shutter to 1/60th and your F stop to where you want it. If you want less depth of field, you'd go to your lowest F stop. if you want more depth of field, you'd go higher, but try not to go past F/8 or F/11 so you can avoid diffraction. I would do these setting with a manual ISO setting so you know how much leeway you have with the ISO, keeping in mind, the higher your ISO goes, the more grain you'll get.

Once you have all your settings the way you want them, push the ISO button and select Auto ISO.

The problem with auto settings is that you can't control the camera, the camera controls you. White balance especially can look horrible when it changes during a shot. The colors change hues. It's not pretty.