In this video, I'm talking about shutter and aperture control on Sony CX and AX camcorders. The don't have a fully manual mode, but a semi-automatic mode, but they can be controlled as long as you know what you're doing with the settings. So I'm describing the effects of shutter speed and depth of field with regard especially to Sony Camcorders.

Thanks Ian itching to get started with my cx450 when it arrives 😊 regards Fred

Good tips for set..

Hi there Ian, thanks. I'm glad I found you. I've watched a couple of videos you made on the CX450. I'm a total beginner at this and have defaulted to auto settings, but many times my vids are lifeless. I also just discovered that you can see the results of the manual adjustments on the viewscreen as you adjust them. I tried out some of your tips on a ceiling fan in low light and could immediately tell the results by manual adjustment. This is great. I also saw the grid screen on your cameras viewer and found the setting on mine. I hope this can help me get my shots level. Buildings are always crooked or the horizon is usually not level in my videos.

@iancraig

2 жыл бұрын

The grid is really useful. You have to be almost ‘clinical’ about straight lines really. Slopping horizons look terrible and building can as well. I use the auto settings when I’m not sure what the lighting etc is going to do. Using manual when you have the time though often gives better results in the end. Get it wrong though and it makes it worse!

This is my problem on my Sony cx 405 , shooting videos during midday, thanks for sharing these tips

Thanks Ian Great video I really enjoy your videos

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

I had a fight with this one, trying to explain it. Must have made it five times and then gave up! Thanks. Hopefully, this one is useful to Sony camcorder users.

Mate, do a video on “how to see the northern lights on your CX-440” and you’ll have a million downloads today.

Mannn you really broke that down...I've been trying to figure out the Exposure and what Iris really was.. SALUTE From Your Boy Poorhouzzzzzzz Outtttttttt

Hi Ian. Unable to resist a bargain in January 2023, I ordered the now discontinued HDR CX240E which Argos are selling off cheap for £164.99. The CX405 which you reviewed is a later version of the CX240E. I think the CX240E gives stronger saturation, but that may be a subjective impression! If you get the CX240E going cheap from Argos, you might like to make a video comparing these two models. I didn't watch this video before because I didn't have a Sony camcorder, but now I've got one, thanks to you! Thanks for making all these videos. All good fun.

@iancraig

Жыл бұрын

Great buy. They are nice little camcorders and capable of producing nice footage. Way easier and faster to use than a DSLR and battery goes on for longer. Now the weather is starting to improve, you can get out there and make videos!

Something people need to know for sure!

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely. Sony camcorders and auto ISO can be both a blessing and a curse!

Hi Ian hope you are well, great video and very informative and well explained, to be honest I always use my AX53 in full auto, think I'll have to leave my comfort zone and try using the manual modes. Best wishes stay safe Jon

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon. I often use auto as well, but for anything I want to be a little more controlled and I have the time, I play around. The most common thing I do is underexpose shots in comparison to auto in order to avoid burned out bits and fix the shutter. The AX53 is much easier than the others with its zebras though and little extras to get exposure more finely tuned.

Ian Craig, thank you for making a video that, i requested, i will watch it several times, many thanks!

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was useful, Len. There will be another to follow about ND filters and how to calculate the right value on CX cameras, but it’s quite a lot more complex.

Lovely video once again! Why on earth the "Iris" has a picture of a microphone next to it I will never know... Some software developer getting his laugh confusing people like me probably!

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

OH YES!!! I have never seen that. How bad is that? I don’t know why they still use the term ‘iris’ instead of aperture. It must be confusing for beginners. This is quite a difficult watch. The next one on Sony’s is even worse, but if some beginners get themselves shifted into intermediate level, then that’s great. The next one will be about calculating ND filters which I found quite difficult to make without it becoming too complex. Some people might get what I’m talking about though!

@jenevenhusfineart8925

5 ай бұрын

Hi Benjamin - thought I'd respond to this as I was just looking at this today. The microphone icon is not associated with the iris specs. Those icons are separate - i.e. press on the top camera icon - it is the manual settings; tap on the camera icon = camera settings; tap on the microphone icon = microphone settings that you can adjust. Cheers!

Hello Ian. Do you still recommend the AX53 & AX700 today?. I want a good quality travel camcorder, I love camcorders!📹. Thanks for this great video, very well explained.

@iancraig

Жыл бұрын

I would still buy an ax700 for video if I wanted another camcorder. The ax53 is a great camera and gives really nice footage. I sometimes use my ax53 for you tube videos and the close ups that you see on my videos are done one the ax53. The reason is because it is SO quick to get the shot and videos up close with no fuss. I literally put products into a light box, and point and shoot the ax53. I get shots done very quickly with it. Ax700 gives more control so I would be happy with one. For travel, they would both work well as long as you are ok with their size. Some prefer pocket cameras for travel rather than a relatively bigger camcorder. Camcorders are built for video and so they are faster to use. Means you miss less shots.

@cineterapia7478

Жыл бұрын

​@@iancraig Thanks for your reply. You made me see everything more clear, I really appreciate it.

Can I ask, on the AX33/53 or AX43 If I set the shutter speed, does the camcorder choose a fixed Aperture itself, or will it still be changing while I'm filming? For example if a large white object flies past, will the picture darken or will it stay fixed as on full manual cameras? I'm looking at the AX53 as opposed to a Panasonic VX1 or earlier Panasonic models. If a Sony it looks like it'll have to be Aperture mode.

@iancraig

3 жыл бұрын

Up to the ax53, there is only a semi-manual mode. So if you work with aperure, then the shutter sets itself to auto. If you set the shutter, then the aperture goes to auto. You can under or over expose with the exposure control though.

As I hope you know, I follow your presentations because they're relatable and in a language I like! I am one of those folks that forgot how good a camcorder is, while favouring more modern devices such as a dslr (lumix G7 in my case). But I felt encouraged to get a cheap camcorder (Sony CX405) to bring with me on this current holiday. I've enjoyed using it and want to invest in a model that will give me more features. In a comparison video you did, you talked about the range of Sony cams you have. As I write this, I can't recall off the top of my head what your 4k best one was. I'll look at it again when I return to UK. But I have a quick question I wonder if you can help with. This model I have loses focus the more I zoom out. (within the analogue range of zoom). Is the better model you own better with dealing with this issue? Thank you Ian. (I'm currently in Lanzarote!)

@iancraig

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Trevor. It’s currently baking in the UK and I’m suffering because we don’t have air conditioning in this country as you know! Lanzarote is beautiful. I love Tenerife and Menorca. Before the pandemic, we went to Menorca regularly. Camcorders are overlooked a great deal because (I think) of image. I think people miss the biggest benefits that become really noticeable when you use a DSLR or Mirrorless. I use a Canon M50, M6 and a Sony ZV1 and one thing with them all that I don’t like is the amount of setting up you have to do before taking the shot. Camcorders just go instantly. I love that, and many holiday shots would have been missed if it weren’t for that. The cx405 doesn’t behave too badly for me with regards to focus on the zoom. Sometimes, I focus with it zoomed out and slowly go in and wait for focus to catch up. It might be slow. When you’re zoomed a long way in, you might have run out of focus in that it doesn’t focus as close with the zoom as it does with everything back. Especially in low light when the aperture will be more open. The cx405, 450 and actually, the cx625 are quite similar in look. The 625 marginally better as well as having a mic input and cold shoe. The one I love using is the ax53. Superb camcorder. Bigger but you can also use an eyepiece as well as the screen. So you don’t have to flip the screen out. You get a better dynamic range imo and a lot more features. If you wanted to go mad, the ax100 is even better. Generally, if I don’t need a small camera and I want it to capture very quick moments (like on holiday) I use the ax53. Brilliant picture and lightening quick to get recording. That way, you don’t miss those things that happen fast and in that respect, it leaves DSLR’s standing. For prepared moments, I use the M50 or M6 because I have the time to set them up and they are both brilliant cameras. For small camera and hidden away with quality, the ZV-1 because the internal mic is great and the camera is small. Other than that for general messing around, a GoPro for better sound with a mic or an Osmo Action with its internal mic for anonymity in public! As far as camcorders go, the ax53 takes some beating, but a lot more money. By the way - I knew a guy at the BBC called Trevor Baldwin. If it’s you ….. HI!!

@trevorbaldwin2935

2 жыл бұрын

@@iancraig I knew you'd respond quickly (while I have a laptop under the umbrella in the baking sun here) - thank you so much. My partner commented on how much I was enjoying the Sony this holiday. I did take it to the bottom of the airport runway for some amazing filming. But it was the zoom blur issue I was somewhat disappointed with. I have set everything correctly and I even reverted to auto everything to see if it improved the zoom focus. Anyway back to the point - my partner suggested that as my birthday was on the horizon, would I like something towards a better camcorder. (Ping - alarms rang in my head. Not an opportunity to miss!). So when I return home and am sat in front of my three big screen computers, I'll start my research based on your advice. Yes, it's been wonderful back using a basic camcorder again. By the way, I've got with me also a Lumix G7 (hardly used it!) and an Insta360 One R 2 (used it sometimes). The camcorder is my first out of the bag! (thanks to your excellent videos.) Thank you again Ian. We have spoken before!

@iancraig

2 жыл бұрын

You know, I found exactly the same. I took the ax53, ZV-1 and Canon M50 (along with a GoPro) on holiday with me twice now. Most used …. GoPro. Most mistakes ….ZV1. Second used and everything came out fine …ax53! I don’t honestly get much problem with the zoom focus on mine unless using it way out at the end of its analogue travel. If I see poor focusing, generally zooming back a little way and slowly returning normally fixes it. It’s contrast based so possibly not that great. I’m not certain, but the ax100 might have a fully manual mode whereas the ax53 still uses semi manual. If you use the cx405, you probably understand what I mean by that. Ie… set shutter manually and aperture is auto. Set aperture manually and then shutter is auto. Generally, I set shutter manually and let the aperture do what it’s going to do. On the ax53, there is a programmable front ring (like a focus ring) and I use it to control the exposure, using zebras to judge and it’s perfect every time. I really love the ax53 ease of use and the video quality you get from it. Can’t drop it though. It is quite hefty and would smash, I reckon. For holidays, GoPros do a great job although low lighting can be a challenge. I find them even faster and have captured some really good stuff on them. I’m using the dreaded Hero 9 but I think a lot of bugs were sorted in updates recently. The 10 is supposed to be very good but a helluva price for an action cam. For me, holiday video is about ease and speed of use, plus portability and public profile. In that respect, DSLR’s don’t really cut it! It’s something that many DSLR fans overlook, although, if I want a real quality shot using different lenses, the M6 is brilliant. Not for holidays though. You lucky thing out there! Buy the wife a drink quick……. 😁

@trevorbaldwin2935

2 жыл бұрын

@@iancraig She's on a sunbed! I'm redskinned and in the shade, as always. I've done a little research on the AX53 this morning since your first reply. I'll go down that route me thinks. I may sell the 360 camera - too complicated with the editing. Thank you Ian, enjoy your freak weather!!! xx

Do you have any tips for using this with a vintage tungsten bulb for lighting? ALso I glued a shoe on my CX405 and attached an on camera light. Will using the on camera light generally improve the quality? And what's better 60p or 60i?

@iancraig

Жыл бұрын

Use 60p. 60i is two half frames every 1/60th second so hd is not true hd at 60i. 60p is two full frames every scan and 60i is two half frames every scan. 60i was created to save bandwidth on broadcast tv. No need on modern TV’s or computer screens because they play progressive. Well done glueing a cold shoe on. Having a light will help as far as getting the iso (and noise) down on closer objects. Watch that everything doesn’t look dead flat with a permanent front light though. With the tungsten bulb, if you are in USA, you’re ok. If you are in a 50hz electricity country, you might get flicker from the lights. If you do, move the shutter speed until the flicker stops. In the UK, I use 60p with 100th shutter and outdoors I use 60th shutter for motion blur if I want it. (Not 120th) However, you can use 120th if you want to keep to the 180 degree rule. I just prefer a little more motion blur. The blur combined with the smoothness of 1/60th looks great. Be careful of long zooms at 1/60th though; they can go soft looking due to handshake. Long zooms, you need a faster shutter. Set up a custom white balance with the tungsten lights. Shine them onto the ceiling and take a reading from that. Once set, that’s it.

@thebuzzkiller69

Жыл бұрын

@@iancraig thank you so much for your advice. I will be sure to remember all this. I make underground films and prefer to use basic cameras. I really love these cameras but made some mistakes with them on my last movie. But I really want to see how far I can push it with these.

Is there any sort of firmware hack to get around the semi auto controls? I like Sony products and want a new decent camcorder but not having full manual controls is seriously a dealbreaker for these camcorders.

@iancraig

2 жыл бұрын

No there isn’t. It’s actually not put that bad. Say you use aperture priority (so shutter stays same) and you notice exposure overall isn’t quite right, you adjust ‘exposure). For some, instead of a dealbreaker, it’s actually a bonus that speeds them up when videoing! Even the ax53 works this way, but it’s never been a real problem. For a fully manual camcorder, you have to go for an ax100 which is a lot more money. Remember ……. These are mostly cheap cameras. Some around the price of an Action cam. For full control, I use a mirrorless. But we’re talking bigger bucks; especially with a decent lens.

@JayceCornell

2 жыл бұрын

@@iancraig yeah that’s basically the issue I’m having now. I need full manual controls. So I was hoping to find a cheaper camcorder. If I’m going that expensive as the ax100 i might as well shell out for a more expensive interchangeable lens cam. Any chance you would have any recommendations?

@iancraig

2 жыл бұрын

The camera I use the most is a Canon M6. One reason being because it’s extremely good, but I also have quite a large collection of lenses for the m-series because I also have an M50

My camera looks different, it is a sony HDR

@iancraig

Ай бұрын

They all start with HDR-CX (and then a number)