What D-Lux 3 settings to use?

[intex]

I am once again going to take the D-Lux 3 on a long trip overseas (This time with a backup Canon), and I would like to know what settings people recommend for the best quality shots, as many of these I would like to enlarge to 8x10 or 10x13, with the least loss of resolution.

Should I use : "P" mode or "AUTO" Mode
Quality : Best Jpg or RAW ? I have Pict Size set at 7.5M
White Balance : Auto ?
ISO : Keep on AUTO ??
Metering Mode: ?
AF Mode: ?


Maybe the poor quality was attributable to poor setting selection on my part.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[VivaRiva]

Hi,

May I recommend the Aperture Priority mode for a large print. If you're going to use the "P" mode, I would advise:

-Minus 1 full bracket in exposure
-White Balance to Manual (Depends on the conditions)
-RAW (If you have the software to process later)
-Don't go higher in ISO than 400. Dlux3 has significant noise above it.
-AF Mode: Continous

Lowering the exposure allows you to play with the lighting levels later on. I would also recommend to increase sharpness for a large print. It might produce higher noise but pictures are too soft otherwise. In auto mode, pictures have too much contrast and are too soft. You might want to use the flash at less than full setting.

Of course, these are my recommendations, feel free to experiment and criticize them .
Good luck.

[intex]

I use Adobe Lightroom, so if I am not mistaken, I can view raw images in it?

[VivaRiva]

Originally Posted by intex

I use Adobe Lightroom, so if I am not mistaken, I can view raw images in it?

Yes, of course.