Sony HDR FX7 Operating Instructions - Page 37

If flashes during standby mode, set the ND FILTER switch F to 1 to turn on the indicator. If flashes, set the ND FILTER switch to 2 to turn on the indicator. If flashes, set the ND FILTER switch to OFF to turn off the indicator. b Notes • If you move the ND FILTER switch during recording, the picture and sound may be distorted. • If you adjust the iris manually, no ND filter indicator will appear even if the ND filter should be activated. z Tip • If you close the iris extensively when recording a bright subject, diffraction may occur, resulting in a fuzzy focus (this is a common phenomenon with video cameras). The ND filter suppresses this phenomenon and gives better recording results. Displaying the zebra pattern to adjust the brightness If there is a part of the screen where brightness is over a certain level, the part may appear excessively white when played back. By displaying the zebra pattern on such a part, you can be reminded to adjust the brightness before recording. Select the brightness level to display the zebra pattern with the ZEBRA switch E, then the zebra pattern will appear. Select the brilliance value from [70] or [100]. If you select [70], the zebra pattern appears at the part with 70±5 % of the brilliance signal. If you select [100], the zebra pattern appears at the part with 100% or more. To hide the zebra pattern • Set the ZEBRA switch E to OFF. b Note • The zebra pattern is not recorded on the tape. z Tip • This is convenient for adjusting the brightness while a histogram (p. 65) is displayed. Adjusting the gain You can adjust the gain manually when shooting blackish or dark objects if you do not want the AGC (auto gain control) to be activated. 1 During recording or standby, set the AUTO LOCK switch A to the center position to release the auto lock. 2 Press the GAIN button B. The current gain value appears. 3 Adjust the gain by turning the SEL/ PUSH EXEC dial D. The gain can be adjusted between 0dB and 18dB by every 3dB. z Tip • The gain value can be stored temporarily by setting the AUTO LOCK switch A to HOLD after the manual adjustment. To restore automatic adjustment Press the GAIN button B, or set the AUTO LOCK switch A to AUTO LOCK. b Notes • If you set the AUTO LOCK switch A to AUTO LOCK, other manually adjusted items (iris, shutter speed, white balance) also become temporarily automatic. • The setting returns to automatic adjustment when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours. Adjusting the shutter speed You can manually adjust and fix the shutter speed. Depending on the shutter speed, you can make the subject look still, or emphasize the fluidity of movement. 1 During recording or standby, set the AUTO LOCK switch A to the center position to release the auto lock mode. 2 Press the SHUTTER SPEED button C. Continued , 37 Recording/Playback