Sony PMW 500 Operator's Manual page 14

1.13 Viewfinder picture adjustments
It is essential to ensure the monochrome viewfinder is giving a good representation of what is being
recorded so that focus and exposure can be critically assessed. The colour LCD screen on the side is
useful to check white balance.
The controls for adjusting the viewfinder picture
are on the front of the viewfinder, together with
ON/OFF toggles for DISPLAY, ZEBRA and the
TALLY light.
The display switch offers the removal of on
screen text, and also cycles through Aspect marker options. Peaking
should be fully down initially.
To adjust the viewfinder picture:
Switch on BARS using the OUTPUT toggle switch on the

left-hand side of the camera
Switch OFF the display text with the 'DISPLAY' switch on

the front of the viewfinder – push it up.
Put the middle control, Contrast, at its middle position

Look at the dark stripes at the lower right of the

bars picture...
Adjust the control nearest to Contrast, Brightness, until the
left-hand darkest column can't be seen, but the right hand
 Contrast should be adjusted to match the light level of the location. Higher contrast for sunny
conditions and lower contrast for when it's darker. A mismatch may cause poor exposure
decisions and may cause eye strain looking alternately between the eyepiece and the location.
Viewfinder care tips:
Be careful to avoid leaving the viewfinder pointing upwards, allowing the sun to shine into the eyepiece
– this can cause damage to the display. Clean the outermost (dioptre) lens of the eyepiece and if
necessary the inside of the viewfinder housing, but DO NOT wipe or touch the mirror surface. If this is
very dusty ask Production Services to clean it.
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: production.support@bbc.co.uk
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
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