Martin P Wilson Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I usually shoot raw and I noticed this weekend when converting I was having to bring in the black and white points as the histogram was not using the full dynamic range available (good, no clipping). I was shooting powerboat racing under a sky that varied from clear blue to cloudy but mostly bright with a high level haze. So I had a subject with a full range of tones. The histogram was nicely centred so my exposure was pretty well spot on but why the limited range? Pictures OK, if a bit flat, I just had spare dynamic range at each end. Anybody have any thoughts? I was using a Canon EOS-1Ds3 and the results were much the same on raw or in-camera jpg.. I can't think of a way of changing exposure to extend the dynamic range the sensor records. I am currently reviewing my workflow to support news/sport where, ideally, I will need to be able to submit in-camera jpg from the field without post-production (I will shoot raw+jpg). I was having to expand the range to avoid dull images. Not a problem normally as I can make adjustments at leisure and so I had not really noticed it before.I will have to dig out the camera manual, there may be a setting I have missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I've noticed this when using a telephoto, maybe just not as much contrast as when using a shorter lens - more air to cut through perhaps? Further, some subjects don't have much contrast, particularly when combined with flat light - I don't think that it is anything to worry about. I notice that within Canon's DPP raw converter there is a contrast control, which I suspect can also be set in camera, but never touched it myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks Bryan, Contrast should have been OK even though I was using a longish (400mm) lens but fairly close. It was essentially a bright clear day (1/1000 @ f8-11 on ISO400). I have just had a thought that if I have the highlight protection setting thingy on that might be doing it. I must find the manual! I wasn't so much worried as wanting the in-camera jpgs to be usable without having to post process - I need to reduce time (and effort) from shot to submission as time oi of the essence if I am going to maximise sales opportunity through Alamy News et al. For instance at sports events I want to be able to submit pix between races/ classes when typically there is a maximum of 20-30minutes p[ause in the action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Just had a quick play - highlight tone priority might be contributing to it. Unfortunately the light is rather flat today so I can't really check properly. Switched it off and will see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davies Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Have you tried different camera profiles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 David, I think that may be it. I had it set to Faithful as I have almostly used the camera with raw and it gives the most flexibility. According to the manual (just found) Faithful is "dull", Standard appears from a very quick test to be more contrasty with a wider histogram. It was so long since I last reconfigured the basic settings I had forgotten all about picture styles - doh! I will now need to watch my exposures more carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulstw Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 As far as I was aware the in camera profiles, styles and settings don't effect the RAW file at all, only the in camera conversion to JPG. I always try to shoot to the right as much as I can as the RAW files tends to 'dull' down in Lightroom in an auto tone import. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Paul, You are probably right. I have always shot raw so I wouldn't have noticed. But now I need to be able to use the in-camera jpg so will increasingly be shooting raw+jpg as I want the control of raw to maximise quality on those images that justify the effort and where I have the time to process. Recently I have been trying to expose to the right rather more diligently. Which is how I came to be very much more aware of the compressed histogram; and using a Fuji X-E1 which seemed to make better use of the dynamic range. In the quick test I ran the Standard jpg was slightly wider than Faithful (and the raws) and the shape was different. There was some difference between the raw files but it was a not a critical test. I will see how it works for real when I get the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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