Exposure: ISO and GAIN
GAIN is the traditional control on video cameras since video has always used an electronic
sensor. GAIN amplifies the signal of the sensor to make the image brighter and this
increases image noise. It’s easy to use GAIN because you know that 0 dB will not affect
your image. 3 dB or 6 dB of GAIN will be acceptable.
ISO is traditionally a rating of the sensitivity of a film stock. ISO is used in digital
photo/videography to preserve a continuity between film stock and electronic sensors. It is
convenient to use ISO if you are using a handheld light meter with ISO measurements.
On a video camera, ISO and GAIN adjustments do the same thing: amplify the signal from
the sensor.
Most video camera sensors have one sensor rating, one sensitivity. The FX 6 has two: Base
low and high. Any ISO setting below or above those two base sensitivities is an adjusted
signal.
Always make sure you have no ND filter applied before increasing GAIN or ISO.
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