Live histograms.. We all assume that an histogram can only be created after the fact. We cannot be more wrong. When a camera uses a live view it can produce a 'live' histogram and...

Rongnongno Loc: FL

We all assume that an histogram can only be created after the fact.

We cannot be more wrong. When a camera uses a live view it can produce a 'live' histogram and display it. This is rarely implemented thought.

The Nikon D750 offers a live view histogram.

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

Rongnongno wrote:

We all assume that an histogram can only be created after the fact.

We cannot be more wrong. When a camera uses a live view it can produce a 'live' histogram and display it. This is rarely implemented thought.

The Nikon D750 offers a live view histogram.

The D810 does as well, and I suspect so does the D800. But it is not the same as using a mirrorless camera - which can show the histogram in the EVF and you retain full functionality, including frame rate.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

"Rarely implemented" - maybe for dslr users, but not for us mirrorless folks 😊

.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Interesting. Is the histogram being generated from the RAW, as the camera indicates it's set to RAW, or from the derived jpg?
--Bob

Rongnongno wrote:

We all assume that an histogram can only be created after the fact.

We cannot be more wrong. When a camera uses a live view it can produce a 'live' histogram and display it. This is rarely implemented thought.

The Nikon D750 offers a live view histogram.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Rongnongno wrote:

We all assume that an histogram can only be created after the fact.

We cannot be more wrong. When a camera uses a live view it can produce a 'live' histogram and display it. This is rarely implemented thought.

The Nikon D750 offers a live view histogram.

We all assume nothing of the sort. Every camera I own displays a live histogram all the time and has since 2013.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

rmalarz wrote:

Interesting. Is the histogram being generated from the RAW, as the camera indicates it's set to RAW, or from the derived jpg?
--Bob

In the case of any live-view histogram being viewed before the photo is taken (there is no JPEG yet) the histogram is derived from the live video feed. If the camera is a mirrorless camera and effort has been made by the engineers to match the live EVF image to the JPEG that will be created then the live-view histogram is a fair representation of what to expect in the JPEG. I'm not aware of any option from any camera maker that presents a live-view histogram designed to represent the raw file.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I would think that the histogram shown on the LCD of a mirrorless would be the from the data that is being used to create the JPEG image whose picture profile you have preset... i.e. portrait, landscape,nuetral etc... Just a quick opinion; if taken from raw data please explain and enlighten us... I don't really know !

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Gene, your suspicions are correct. The D800e displays the histogram during LV. Now, to test and see from where the histogram information is being collected. I suspect my D850 will do the same. I just can't test it right now. My cat is sleeping on the camera bag.

Correction - The cat allowed me access to my camera bag. The D850 has that capability, as well.
--Bob

Gene51 wrote:

The D810 does as well, and I suspect so does the D800. But it is not the same as using a mirrorless camera - which can show the histogram in the EVF and you retain full functionality, including frame rate.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

MrBob wrote:

I would think that the histogram shown on the LCD of a mirrorless would be the from the data that is being used to create the JPEG image whose picture profile you have preset... i.e. portrait, landscape,nuetral etc... Just a quick opinion; if taken from raw data please explain and enlighten us... I don't really know !

To my knowledge no camera maker either DSLR, mirrorless, compact, bridge, point & shoot offers an option to see a histogram designed to represent the raw data.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

"I'm not aware of any option from any camera maker that presents a live-view histogram designed to represent the raw file."
That's the inspiration for my question. In all reality, the RAW file hasn't been created yet, either.

I guess this weekend's project is to explore this a bit more.
--Bob

Ysarex wrote:

In the case of any live-view histogram being viewed before the photo is taken (there is no JPEG yet) the histogram is derived from the live video feed. If the camera is a mirrorless camera and effort has been made by the engineers to match the live EVF image to the JPEG that will be created then the live-view histogram is a fair representation of what to expect in the JPEG. I'm not aware of any option from any camera maker that presents a live-view histogram designed to represent the raw file.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Linda From Maine wrote:

"Rarely implemented" - maybe for dslr users, but not for us mirrorless folks 😊

.

Or for some P&S cameras. My 2009 Canon G11 had a live histogram.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

rmalarz wrote:

"I'm not aware of any option from any camera maker that presents a live-view histogram designed to represent the raw file."
That's the inspiration for my question. In all reality, the RAW file hasn't been created yet, either.

Right. Live-view histograms are exposure aids for before you take the photo. In a mirrorless EVF or a DSLR live-view the sensor is used to generate the video image. The histogram is generated from that video feed. It is processed data as the engineers have made the effort to simulate the JPEG with that video image.

rmalarz wrote:

I guess this weekend's project is to explore this a bit more.
--Bob

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

rmalarz wrote:

"I'm not aware of any option from any camera maker that presents a live-view histogram designed to represent the raw file."
That's the inspiration for my question. In all reality, the RAW file hasn't been created yet, either.

I guess this weekend's project is to explore this a bit more.
--Bob

Try changing the white balance and see if the live-view image changes. It does so on my Olympus bodys EVF even when shooting raw.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Ah ha!!! Thanks, Ysarex.
--Bob

"Right. Live-view histograms are exposure aids for before you take the photo. In a mirrorless EVF or a DSLR live-view the sensor is used to generate the video image. The histogram is generated from that video feed. It is processed data as the engineers have made the effort to simulate the JPEG with that video image."

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Yup, it changes the appearance in LV. However, it seems that changing the WB while in live view isn't allowed.
--Bob

RichardTaylor wrote:

Try changing the white balance and see if the live-view image changes. It does so on my Olympus bodys EVF even when shooting raw.