Interference Lines in viewfinder and video

I recently did a video shoot using a D5200 and D600.

This was a live event in a club with people dancing on stage. I believe the colored stage lights were LEDs.


I had both cameras set to Adobe RGB. I had sharpening, contrast and saturation turned down one or two notches. The D600 was at 30 FPS and the 5200 at 24 FPS. Both at 1/50 shutter speed.


Both viewfinders produced moving lines in the background but it also seemed to affect the foreground somewhat too. One wall was brick but this was beyond the normal moire issue. I can see lines even on the dark walls. I was hoping it was only in the viewfinder and the footage would be okay. My hopes were crushed.


I'm not sure if it was interference from the lights, or other equipment. Could it be because I had color set to Adobe RGB? I know I'll have more shoots of this kind in the future and don't want it to happen again…and I'm guessing there's no way to correct something like this in post.


Does anyone have any idea why this would have happened?


Thanks

I don't know anything about video. I do know that a popular way to control high power LEDs is PWM, Pulse Width Modulation. This basically flashes the led on and off faster than our eyes can see. By varying the duty cycle, we see a different brightness. I believe this keeps the color at its best and it is more efficient. I imagine it could drive a camera crazy. It drives flashlight geeks like myself crazy if we happen to notice it.

I found this:
Pulse Width Modulation is NOT Your Friend by Art Adams

Did you try changing the shutter speed? It always helps with normal light flicker but I'm not too sure about LEDs. I have a feeling you will find a shutter that works but if the light intensity changes, you may be back in the same boat.

I would love to hear your findings!

Thanks for the link, Nick. No, pulse with modulation is not my friend!

Unfortunately the shutter speed is the only thing I didn't try changing! I'm kicking myself now for not trying something so simple. I'm sure I'll be shooting under the same conditions soon enough and will try that if I see the pulsating lines again!