ETTR on low iso

[stump4545]

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is ETTR only to be applied to high iso images or is there any

 

benefit to be had by ETTR images between 160iso-800iso?

[fWord]

ETTR (or Expose To The Right for those who wonder what the abbreviation means) should in theory offer benefits of better image quality regardless of the ISO setting. When we consider the dynamic range of a sensor reduces at higher ISOs (primarily because of a reduction of usable detail in the shadows), then ETTR at this point should in theory push the entire histogram to the right and reduce the chance of shadow detail getting engulfed in noise.

 

I've only ever tried this technique with a few cameras, one of them being the Canon 1Ds Mark I, considered by some harsh critics to be a very noisy camera. I saw no difference in the quality of images, even pixel-peeping at 100%, regardless of whether ETTR was used or not (up to a difference of 1 stop). This does not mean that benefits are non existent. It just means that for this camera, and to my eyes, there was no visible difference. People may have a different experience with other cameras.

 

The one issue here of using ETTR when at high ISO settings is that you're effectively taking one step forward in order to then take two steps back. The purpose of increasing the ISO would usually be to achieve a higher shutter speed, whereas ETTR would effectively reduce the shutter speed again. I'd much rather shoot at a lower ISO and achieve the 'correct' exposure straight up, rather than high ISO and use ETTR.

 

Personally, I would use ETTR whenever my camera was on a tripod and the longer shutter speed did not affect the appearance of the image, or if I were photographing a static scene where there was plenty of light to stop down to achieve the required depth of field and could still handhold down to slower shutter speeds because of stable bracing or electronic image stabilizer of some sort (obviously doesn't apply to any of Leica's lenses).

 

Some cameras like the Fuji S5 pro in my bag, are actually pro-ETTR. The sensor technology has the knack of holding onto highlight details and preventing a complete loss of information when the histogram bangs up against the right side. I usually have this camera set at +2/3 stop exposure compensation by default and occasionally dial it back in post processing. Most of the time however, I find the exposure to be 'correct'.

[stump4545]

any m9 shooters using ETTR?

 

does a m9 need ETTR or is it a camera that people feel does not benefit from ETTR principles?

[Jeff S]

Try the search box first ...it works. Here is a start.

 

Jeff

[01af]

Do not make a religion out of ETTR! As a matter of fact, the ETTR rule is the result of half-knowledge and misconceptions. A digital camera's image quality is at optimum not at the right-hand end of the histogram but in the middle ... or half-way between middle and right-hand side, depending on the subject's contrast and colour gamut.

 

So if your exposure is so that most of the pixels are somewhere between middle and right-hand end of the histogram the it's just fine. Don't take extra effords to cram the histogram farther towards the right-hand end! And when your subject is mostly dark then of course it's perfectly fine when your histogram peaks out somewhere left to the middle.

 

Often, you will see a small peak at the histogram's farthest right end, which means some highlights of the capture are burned out. Generally, this should be avoided but sometimes cannot. Whether that's a problem will depend on the image content. Sometimes even a small amount of burnt-out pixels will ruin the shot, sometimes not.

[jaapv]

The basic thing is to expose correctly and not go by fixed settings. ETTR is fine if you want to avoid noise in a high ISO shot by blowing out specular highlights, or even deciding to sacrifice "real" highlights in order to get more fill in the shadows and thus less noise. But it depends on your decision about the content of the image. With low ISO, where noise is not a concern your aim is to use the full dynamic range of the camera, and gather as much levels of contrast as you can, or at least choose which part of the contrast range range of the subject you want to have in your image. That means exposing correctly and not generically to the right or the left.

[stump4545]

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thank you kindly for the advice.

 

from what i gather ETTR is great when one wants to reduce noise in shadow areas only.

 

if noise in shadow areas is not a concern then expose normally and i should be good to go.

 

 

thanks again.

[01af]

From what I gather ETTR is great when one wants to reduce noise in shadow areas only. If noise in shadow areas is not a concern then expose normally and I should be good to go.

Yes. That basically sums it up.