Support / Picture fixes

Get a clear, consistent picture

Focus & picture fixes

Start with what you can see in live view, then follow the matching fix.

Open a section for the steps and pictures.

The picture is blurryTurn the lens and use the focus target

Spark has manual focus. Turn the lens rim while watching live view until your subject looks sharp. The lens may feel stiff the first time you turn it.

Fingers turning the lens rim on Spark to focus on a minifigure
Turn the lens rim to focus.
The standing black-and-white focus target supplied with the kit
The focus tool helps you judge fine detail.

Use the focus tool

  1. Stand the target where the detail you want sharp will be, such as your character’s eyes. Keep it the same distance from Spark.
  2. Watch live view and turn the lens until the black-and-white pattern looks clearest.
  3. Choose 1:1 pixels in the preview zoom tool to check full detail. Choose Fit to see the whole picture again.
  4. Remove the target and check your character. If you move Spark nearer or further away, focus again.
The focus target placed in front of Spark at the character’s position
Place the target where your subject will be.
Handbook screenshot of the preview zoom controls, including 1:1 pixels and Fit
Check sharpness at full detail, then return to Fit.

The picture is too dark or brightSet exposure for your scene

Adjust your lights first. While Spark is streaming, select the cog at the top right of the preview to open the picture controls.

Spark picture controls, including the sun for exposure and thermometer for white balance
The sun controls exposure. The thermometer controls colour.
Illustrative example of a scene that is too dark
Too dark · illustrative example
The same scene with clear exposure
Exposure set for the scene
  1. Remove your hands from the scene.
  2. Select the sun, then Set from scene.
  3. Check the exposure says Locked and capture a test frame.

For manual adjustment, open Advanced, switch Auto live off and move the Exposure slider.

The colours look wrongChoose a white balance for your lighting

White balance helps colours look natural under different lights.

Handbook illustration of the scene with a blue colour cast
Too blue · illustrative example
The same scene with natural colours
White balance set for the scene
  • Select the thermometer in the picture controls.
  • Choose Spark Studio Lighting for your kit lights, or a preset that matches your lighting.
  • Use Set from scene for a starting reading, or Refresh from scene after changing the lights.

Keep white balance locked through the shot so colours stay consistent from one frame to the next.

There are flickering lines or bandsFind the Anti-flicker setting

Illustrative handbook example of horizontal light and dark bands across the camera picture
Flickering bands · illustrative example from the handbook
  1. Open Camera and choose Spark picture setup.
  2. Open Advanced sensor controls.
  3. Set Anti-flicker to suit your lighting, usually 50 Hz in the UK and Europe or 60 Hz in the US and Canada.
  4. Capture a test frame before continuing.
The Spark picture setup button in the Camera panel
1. Camera → Spark picture setup
Anti-flicker control in Advanced sensor controls, showing 60 Hz
2. Advanced sensor controls → Anti-flicker. This example shows 60 Hz.

Brightness or colours keep changingKeep light and colour steady between frames

  • Block changing daylight and leave the lights in position.
  • Keep exposure and white balance locked throughout the shot.
  • Remove your hands before capturing. They can cast shadows or reflect light onto your set.
  • Replay the last few frames and check your fix matches the rest of the shot.

For HDR, resolution and capture mode, see Capture, playback & saving.

Zu3D is regularly updated, so some screens and controls may look slightly different.

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