Case Study: Sony A7R V: Metering, Dynamic Range, ETTR/ESTR, Camera Histograms, ETTR (Birch Trees)

2024-02-21 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Canon, digital sensor, dynamic range, Expose Somewhat To Right, Expose To The Right, exposure, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, histogram, Leica, Nikon, please fix this, please fix this camera, please fix this Canon, please fix this Fujifilm, please fix this Hasselblad, please fix this Leica, please fix this Nikon, please fix this Sony, Sony, Sony A7R, Sony A7R II, Sony A7R III, Sony A7R IV, Sony A7R V, Sony mirrorless, weather events

re: post processing and Adobe Camera Raw
re: ETTR
re: please fix this Sony

UPDATE: I’ve added discussion of ISO 50 and one thing it can do to improve RGB histogram. Very practical/useful.

Sony A7R V

This page uses the Sony A7R V, but applies to all mirrorless cameras, because all mirrorless cameras behave essentially the same way in terms of metering and use of the sensor dynamic range. Particular cameras and settings alter specific details slightly, but the algorithmic behaviors are all the same regardless of brand and model.

Twelve (12) frames were shot in 1/3 stop increments, from +0 (as metered) to +11/3 stops, an exposure range of 3.66 stops. Images were pushed and pulled to match in brightness. We look at the following:

• Camera metering vs perceptual brightness vs sensor potential.
• Optimal exposure failure: how much more exposure could the sensor accept without showing any difference in the converted RA file?
• Histograms of camera vs RawDigger: just how far off is the camera?
• RawDigger blowout indicators vs usable captures in Adobe Camera Raw.
• What you can do to get the best possible results.

In diglloyd Mirrorless:

Sony A7R V: Metering, Dynamic Range, ETTR/ESTR, Camera Histograms

Since the findings here apply to all mirrorless cameras, I will be posting this also (later) in Making Sharp Images.

Sony A7R V capture vs histograms and info