000
3. Settings and Adjustments
35
Adjusting the Black Balance and White Balance
To ensure excellent image quality when using this
camcorder, conditions may require that both the
black balance and the white balance be adjusted.
Black balance and white balance adjustment
values that are automatically set by the camcorder
and the various settings are stored in the
camcorder memory and retained even when the
power is turned off.
Adjusting the Black Balance
The black balance will require adjustment in the
following cases.
ˎ
ˎ
When the camcorder is used for the first time
ˎ
ˎ
When the camcorder has not been used for a
long time
ˎ
ˎ
When the camcorder is used under conditions
in which the surrounding temperature has
changed greatly
ˎ
ˎ
When the GAIN selector (L/M/H/Turbo) values
have been changed with Operation >Gain
Switch in the setup menu.
It is not usually necessary to adjust the black
balance when using the camcorder after it has
been off.
In automatic black balance mode, adjustments are
performed in the following order: black set and
black balance. Manual black balance adjustment
can be selected from the setup menu.
Automatic black balance adjustment is disabled in
the following cases.
ˎ
ˎ
During recording
ˎ
ˎ
During special recording modes
ˎ
ˎ
When the shutter mode is SLS
1
Set the OUTPUT/DCC switch to CAM.
2
Push the AUTO W/B BAL switch to BLACK and
release the switch.
The message “Executing…” appears during
execution, and changes to “OK” when the
adjustment finishes.
Adjustment values are saved to memory
automatically.
[Notes]
ˎ
ˎ
During the black balance adjustment, the iris is
automatically closed.
ˎ
ˎ
During the black balance adjustment, the gain selection
circuit is automatically activated so you may see flickering
on the viewfinder screen, but this is not a fault.
If automatic black balance adjustment cannot be
made
If the black balance adjustment cannot be
completed normally, an error message will appear
for about three seconds on the viewfinder screen.
Error message
Meaning
NG: Iris not Closed
The lens iris did not close;
adjustment was impossible.
If any of the above error messages is displayed,
retry the black balance adjustment.
If the error message occurs again, an internal
check is necessary.
For information about this internal check, refer to the
Maintenance Manual.
[Note]
If the lens cable is not firmly connected to the LENS
connector, it may not be possible to adjust the lens iris. If this
happens, the black balance will be incorrect.
Adjusting the White Balance
Always readjust the white balance when the
lighting conditions change.
1
Set the switches and selectors as shown
below.
ˎ
ˎ
GAIN switch: L (set to a gain value that is as
small as possible)
ˎ
ˎ
OUTPUT/DCC switch: CAM
ˎ
ˎ
WHITE BAL switch: A or B
1)
1) Adjustment values are saved to memory B only when
Operation >White Setting >White Switch<B> in the
setup menu is set to Memory.
2
Set the FILTER knob to suit the lighting
conditions as follows.
3
Place a white test card under the same lighting
conditions as the subject to be shot and zoom
in on it.
Alternatively, any white object such as a cloth
or a wall can be used.
The absolute minimum white area is as
follows.
Rectangle centered on the screen
The lengths of the sides are 70% of the length
and width of the screen. 10% or more of the
surface area of the image within the rectangular
area must be white.
[Note]
Make sure there are no bright spots in the rectangle.
4
Adjust the lens iris.
Manually adjusted lens: set the iris to an
appropriate setting.
Lens with automatic iris: set the automatic/
manual switch on the lens to automatic.
5
Push the AUTO W/B BAL switch to WHITE and
then release the switch.
The message “Executing…” appears during
execution, and changes to “OK: (color
temperature of subject)” when the adjustment
finishes.
The adjustment values are saved automatically
in the memory selected in step
1
(A or B).
[Note]
If the camcorder has a zoom lens with an automatic iris,
the iris may hunt
1)
during the adjustment. To prevent
this, adjust the iris gain knob (indicated as IG, IS, or S) on
the lens.
1) Hunting: Repeated brightening and darkening of
the image, resulting from repeated response to
automatic iris control.
For details, refer to the lens operation manual.
If the automatic white balance adjustment cannot
be made
If the white balance adjustment cannot be
completed normally, an error message will appear
for about three seconds on the viewfinder screen.
Error message
Meaning
NG: Low Light
The white video level is too
low. Either open the lens iris or
increase the gain.
NG: Timeout
Adjustment could not be
completed within the standard
number of attempts.
NG: High Light
The white video level is too
high. Either stop down the lens
iris or change the ND filter.
NG: Color Temp.
High
The color temperature of the
subject lighting is too high,
and could not be adjusted.
Adjust the color temperature
of the lighting, then update
memory.
NG: Color Temp.
Low
The color temperature of the
subject lighting is too low, and
could not be adjusted. Adjust
the color temperature of the
lighting, then update memory.
NG: Out of Range
Value could not be adjusted
because the difference
between the current value and
reference value exceeds the
adjustment range.
