Why do TV cameras suck at low light

Question

I’m a lighting engineer for events (gigs, clubs, etc)

I do some work for an infie film company, and some music videos, and videographers regularly film at my gigs. They all use a wide range of cameras, from Sony fx3s, to REDs, to canon rebel series.

When they film, I need to boost the light on stage. Buuut never to a level I’m uncomfortable with, or to a level that changes the vibe of the night.

When TV folks are filming, despite the huge camera and wide range of abilities on it, we need to wash out the stage and kill the vibe. For instance, in a night club, we have to wash out the performers and the crowd to a level that makes everyone very uncomfortable.

Why is that?

It’s not a difference between YouTube vrs broadcast, because everything I’ve shot with the indie film company has been for our national TV station (a few TVCs, and a full live music series).

If the end result looked good from TV peeps, I wouldn’t be as confused. But it doesn’t. It looks exactly like it does in the room: washed in tungsten, and low contrast.

Also: if TV are filming a live event, where there’s definitely going to be low light- why not use a camera that’s designed for that? If the TV camera can’t do low light, why bring the wrong tool for the job?
(For instance, if I’m speccing a job with film crew on it, I’ll make sure I have some very high cri soft diffuse front wash: right tool for the job)

In: 4

Answer 1

Cameras with larger chips require less light to get a clearly defined image. The larger surface area of the chip captures more light. These cameras are also more expensive.

As for bringing the wrong tool for the job, if you’re working in clubs on lower budget shoots, it’s generally because they’re trying to work with what they have available. High end, or even decent quality cameras and lenses can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (or much more for cinema quality stuff).

Pro shoots like you might see at a live rock show in an arena are usually carefully planned and the equipment selection is coordinated with the lighting design.