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Question

Canon Vixia HF G10 - IMovie - Indoor Hockey Question

Sep 23, 2011 12:04AM PDT

So when I video outdoors on Auto and upload to IMovie, I almost always get a clip that doesn't need any post production editing (exposure, brightness and contrast are all great)

When I video indoor hockey, I get a playback image that looks perfect on my G10 screen BUT when I upload the clip to IMovie, it's too dark. I am using custom settings to record indoor hockey (2.8, 1/60, 3db, White Balance on ice)

Why isn't the IMovie image as perfect as the G10 image on my playback screen?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Since you know what
Sep 25, 2011 12:06PM PDT

the settings are that make it too-dark in iMovie, perhaps opening the aperture/iris a step or two will provide a satisfactory result. The short version is that the tiny LCD on the camcorder (and its backlight) represents the playback image different from your Mac's monitor. And it is known that all camcorders can do just fine under good, daylight conditions... Contributors include the settings for capture and the ambient light during playback. These are two (of many) reasons we learn to use our equipment and understand its idiosyncrasies - and compensate accordingly to get to a desired end-result... But that's just my opinion and recommendation.

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Answer
White balance issue...
Oct 1, 2011 11:11AM PDT

Just a suggestion...
If you're taking your white balance off the ice, that's likely the reason your image is coming up dark. "White" balance is generally based on 50% gray, so when taking a white balance you'll likely need to find an object or area in your scene that reflects 50% of the light, that is midtones. Look for an area where the light is not too bright, nor too dark and the balance will be right. For instance, if you're taking it from the the ice, the camera is compensating by by, essential, closing the "aperture" more producing a darker image.

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yodelayheehoo... I think you nailed it.
Oct 1, 2011 7:52PM PDT

Rather than using the ice as the white card, carry a separate white card to white balance on.