Using iDR when shooting DNG only

[SrMi]

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Inspired by Sean Reid’s comments in his SL3 review, I decided to reconsider iDR usage when shooting raw.

The problem with all mirrorless cameras is the lack of dynamic range in EVFs, which often obscures detail in shadows in high-contrast situations and makes framing hard or nearly impossible. 

Turning the iDR option on lifts the shadows to make the shadow detail visible. The problem with iDR is that the camera’s histogram deviates even more from the raw histogram. However, in all my tests, I have noticed that it does not affect (significantly?) highlight clipping warnings.

Since highlight clipping is my primary tool for setting exposure, I have set iDR to high despite shooting only DNGs.
 

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[frame-it]

12 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Inspired by Sean Reid’s comments in his SL3 review, I decided to reconsider iDR usage when shooting raw.

The problem with all mirrorless cameras is the lack of dynamic range in EVFs, which often obscures detail in shadows in high-contrast situations and makes framing hard or nearly impossible. 

Turning the iDR option on lifts the shadows to make the shadow detail visible. The problem with iDR is that the camera’s histogram deviates even more from the raw histogram. However, in all my tests, I have noticed that it does not affect (significantly?) highlight clipping warnings.

Since highlight clipping is my primary tool for setting exposure, I have set iDR to high despite shooting only DNGs.
 

the SL3 is showing RAW histogram data??

hmm worth buying it just for that..can you post a phone pic of the live histogram from the camera screen side by side with the one in LR?

[SrMi]

8 minutes ago, frame-it said:

the SL3 is showing RAW histogram data??

hmm worth buying it just for that..can you post a phone pic of the live histogram from the camera screen side by side with the one in LR?

No, SL3 does not show raw histogram. iDR off shows a histogram closer to the raw histogram than iDR high.

[Dr. G]

4 hours ago, SrMi said:

Inspired by Sean Reid’s comments in his SL3 review, I decided to reconsider iDR usage when shooting raw.

The problem with all mirrorless cameras is the lack of dynamic range in EVFs, which often obscures detail in shadows in high-contrast situations and makes framing hard or nearly impossible. 

Turning the iDR option on lifts the shadows to make the shadow detail visible. The problem with iDR is that the camera’s histogram deviates even more from the raw histogram. However, in all my tests, I have noticed that it does not affect (significantly?) highlight clipping warnings.

Since highlight clipping is my primary tool for setting exposure, I have set iDR to high despite shooting only DNGs.
 

I though the enhanced live view in the EVF raised the shadows in dark scenes to make composition easier.  Or am I mistaken about what this function actually does?

[Photoworks]

27 minutes ago, Dr. G said:

I though the enhanced live view in the EVF raised the shadows in dark scenes to make composition easier.  Or am I mistaken about what this function actually does?

It is focused better, but many of the other preview function are turned off, that is why it kicks in only in low light.

iDR is to get in camera highlight and shadow recovery. it can be beneficial to see what you can get in post later. Even when shooting DNG only the RAW file has a lowres JPG for preview.

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I though the enhanced live view in the EVF raised the shadows in dark scenes to make composition easier.  Or am I mistaken about what this function actually does?

I never use Enhanced Live View. This is what I read from p122 of the SL3 manual:

- it works only in very low light (even when turned on)

- focus peaking does not work

- it brightens the whole image uniformly, not only shadows.

I do not believe that I can use Enhanced Live View in practice.

[Hanno]

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25 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I never use Enhanced Live View. This is what I read from p122 of the SL3 manual:

- it works only in very low light (even when turned on)

- focus peaking does not work

- it brightens the whole image uniformly, not only shadows.

I do not believe that I can use Enhanced Live View in practice.

It will preview the exposure simulation only when the shutter is half pressed, which is not related to a specific light situation.

Edited April 4, 2024 by Hanno

[SrMi]

13 minutes ago, Hanno said:

It will preview the exposure simulation only when the shutter is half pressed, which is not related to a specific light situation.

I have not observed that behavior and it is not mentioned in the manual.

[Hanno]

2 hours ago, SrMi said:

I have not observed that behavior and it is not mentioned in the manual.

That's because you must be shooting in Aperture Priority or any other non fully manual exposure. 

On say aperture priority, the preview and the exposure setting automatically matches...

As to page 122, English manual, I quote: "Depending on the selected exposure mode and other settings, Live View will display an exposure preview when the shutter release button is tapped and held"...  Obviously it has to be on manual exposure for it to work. 

Edited April 4, 2024 by Hanno