Adjustable Dynamic Range .. Is this an idea whose time has come? … Or is it only available, theoretically? … Can you imagine expanding it for one pic, and then compressing it for the...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Is this an idea whose time has come? … Or is it only available, theoretically? … Can you imagine expanding it for one pic, and then compressing it for the next? … Is it even possible?

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Yes! It is called ISO.

ISO goes up dynamic range goes down. Less noise penalty with newer sensors.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Why?
Keep in mind you may have a lot of control when post proocessing (even in-camera in some cases).

Another alternative is to control, or modify the light, if you can

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Not sure why you'd want to lower dynamic range, which would be implied in the question. The point these days is to make cameras with the most dynamic range, at higher and higher ISOs, and adjust in post processing. The limiting factor is not the camera, but the other devices in the chain - after the camera, which typically has the most dynamic range - to the output medium - be it paper/metal/glass/canvas print, device display or projection.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I can alter the Dynamic Range on my Fuji Camera body, and it is NOT the latest camera on the market place.

BebuLamar

If your subject has low dynamic range then there is no problem. If you subject has high dynamic range wouldn't you want to capture its entire dynamic range? Right now we compressed the dynamic range in post but a real improvement is to develop displaying technology to display the entire dynamic range.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Chris T wrote:

Is this an idea whose time has come? … Or is it only available, theoretically? … Can you imagine expanding it for one pic, and then compressing it for the next? … Is it even possible?

It's only possible today if you use your camera's PP to produce a JPEG straight from the camera. You can set it up to decrease or increase the image contrast to widen or narrow the apparent DR. You can also do that on your computer during post processing with much more flexibility.

It's very unlikely that any manufacturer will alter the way that the raw file is recorded to make it adjustable. It's pretty much linear with the Nikon, Sony and Fuji cameras that I have tested, they are close to being ISO invariant. I have not tested Canon but they appear to be somewhat non-linear. I can't speak for other brands.

Some cameras record 16-bit raw information. It's not clear (and I can't afford to find out) whether that means that the sensor actually has that much physical dynamic range or if it's just a way to increase the raw numeric values.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

selmslie wrote:

It's only possible today if you use your camera's ... (show quote)

Why, thanks, Scotty - this is most definitely the most comprehensive answer on this question, so far.

Is making all sensors now 16-bit, rather than 14-bit - what's needed to address this potential advantage, then?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

BebuLamar wrote:

If your subject has low dynamic range then there is no problem. If you subject has high dynamic range wouldn't you want to capture its entire dynamic range? Right now we compressed the dynamic range in post but a real improvement is to develop displaying technology to display the entire dynamic range.

Bebu - I am ALL for being able to expand Dynamic Range to as much as can be achieved with each camera one uses. But, as pointed out, in another thread - sometimes, one might wish to compress it, somewhat ...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Pablo8 wrote:

I can alter the Dynamic Range on my Fuji Camera body, and it is NOT the latest camera on the market place.

That's good to know, Pablo … er - which Fuji is the one you use? … May I ask?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Gene51 wrote:

Not sure why you'd want to lower dynamic range, which would be implied in the question. The point these days is to make cameras with the most dynamic range, at higher and higher ISOs, and adjust in post processing. The limiting factor is not the camera, but the other devices in the chain - after the camera, which typically has the most dynamic range - to the output medium - be it paper/metal/glass/canvas print, device display or projection.

I don't know, either, Gene … but it was pointed out to me in another thread, there are times when you might wish to COMPRESS Dynamic Range, rather than trying to EXPAND it - to achieve the MOST Range possible. So, I decided to post this one, to see how others reacted to the idea of infinite =/- variables …

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

RichardTaylor wrote:

Why?
Keep in mind you may have a lot of control when post proocessing (even in-camera in some cases).

Another alternative is to control, or modify the light, if you can

Yes, you do … but what can you achieve IN-CAMERA - is much more of an advantage, than what you can achieve - after the fact - don'tchathink, Richard?

BebuLamar

Chris T wrote:

I don't know, either, Gene … but it was pointed out to me in another thread, there are times when you might wish to COMPRESS Dynamic Range, rather than trying to EXPAND it - to achieve the MOST Range possible. So, I decided to post this one, to see how others reacted to the idea of infinite =/- variables …

I think you missed my point. Today cameras can capture relatively high dynamic range but still not as high as some of the subjects we may run into. However, even the dynamic range captured by a camera is less than real life we still need to compress it because our display technology can't display high dynamic range images. Our monitors and especially printing paper has very narrow dynamic range. I would like to see higher dynamic range display and printing technology. Monitor display perhaps but print I doubt that there is much improvement can be done.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

klaus wrote:

Yes! It is called ISO.

ISO goes up dynamic range goes down. Less noise penalty with newer sensors.

Klaus - adjustment of ISO values, either up or down - is an artificial way to increase/decrease DR. And, when you attempt to EXPAND DR, by increasing ISO - you have the added benefit of increased noise. I'd like to see something in a camera, today - which would allow one to INCREASE DR, without the associated INCREASE in noise. Camera design has come so far, today - it seems to me, not having a separate DR adjuster - is a great oversight. There ARE times when you might want to reduce or compress it. But, most of the time, you'd probably want to expand it, as much as possible - especially when shooting landscapes. Wouldn't it be great - if you could flip a switch - and suddenly see a 3-4x improvement in DR, on command?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

Yes, you do … but what can you achieve IN-CAMERA - is much more of an advantage, than what you can achieve - after the fact - don'tchathink, Richard?

Not in all cases. Especially if the resulting output is a jpg file.
Keep in mind that doing it outside the camera means you are in control - not the camera designers.
You may have a lot more options.