How to get ISO800 from a Digilux 2

[Ruhayat]

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What do you guys think of this tip I found on the Net? It seems to suggest that you can get ISO800 out of a Digilux 2. The method is as follows (it works in RAW format only):

 

1. To get ISO800, set camera to ISO400 (the max that the D2 can go).

1a. To get ISO400 with lower noise, set camera to ISO200.

 

2. Set exposure compensation to underexpose by 2 EV steps.

 

3. Shoot in RAW.

 

4. In, say, Adobe Bridge, dial up exposure compensation to 2. You should then get an image approximating double the ISO you'd shot at, with less noise.

 

I tested it and it seems to work in producing lower noise "ISO400" shots. Not exactly the same as comparable shots taken using actual ISO400 on the camera, but close enough. Some highlights do get blown, though.

[streetshooter]

I do the same thing with my DP1. I get 3200 with very little noise. It's there but in B&W it's just fine. It's like a digital Zone System....

shooter

[Overgaard]

Why two EV steps when one should be enough?

 

I remember Douglas Herr told that he used the DMR this way, simply increasing ISO by adjusting in the RAW conversion. Worked very well. A great idea just as you describe it here.

 

I think where it will usually work the best is in daylight or situations with much light so as to give the sensor information about what's in the dark corners. Then one can get the speed up and/or compensate for a slow tele lens.

 

In dark situations, the sensor tend not to be able to "see" the dark shadows why it doesn't have any information to interpolate one or two stops up. Hence, the noise.

[John Thawley]

I think I'd be more interested in figuring out how to shoot at ISO 50... those would be like butter.