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Active D lighting - on or off.
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Sep 23, 2022 00:15:35   #
TonyP Loc: New Zealand
 
Ysarex wrote:
The menu option should be for Active D-Lighting and not D Lighting. D Lighting is a different function.

I just looked at your camera's instruction manual and I'd draw the conclusion from what's in the manual that Active D-Lighting should work on your camera when set to raw only. It certainly does work on my Z7 when set to raw only.


Good on you for looking at the camera manual. I don't really care. Never used Active D Lighting and probably never will. But I do know my camera from years of use and the function is greyed out when the camera is set to capture only RAW files.
I prefer RAW so that as much detail as possible is captured and leave any further adjustments to post processing rather than to a technician at Nikon who doesn't know what I really want. As clever as the technology may be.
I don't want my camera to reduce an exposure that I have just set when I shoot RAW? I have blinkies that tell me if I'm overexposing the highlights and a histogram as well if its a really important thoughtful pic I'm trying to achieve,
My original post was just to offer a bit of help about how it works, not start a debate.

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Sep 23, 2022 00:33:00   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
TonyP wrote:
Good on you for looking at the camera manual. I don't really care. Never used Active D Lighting and probably never will. But I do know my camera from years of use and the function is greyed out when the camera is set to capture only RAW files.
I prefer RAW so that as much detail as possible is captured and leave any further adjustments to post processing rather than to a technician at Nikon who doesn't know what I really want. As clever as the technology may be.
I don't want my camera to reduce an exposure that I have just set when I shoot RAW? I have blinkies that tell me if I'm overexposing the highlights and a histogram as well if its a really important thoughtful pic I'm trying to achieve,
My original post was just to offer a bit of help about how it works, not start a debate.
Good on you for looking at the camera manual. I do... (show quote)


I'm just trying to be helpful. My Nikon does allow ADL to be set when the camera is set to raw only. I assume that's the case then with reasonably current cameras. Yes ADL is a JPEG function. If you want the camera JPEG it can be useful.

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Sep 23, 2022 03:18:03   #
prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Do you shoot JPEG or RAW? That's the determining factor.


I haven't been shooting RAW but have been looking to do so. Thanks for the Tip!

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Sep 23, 2022 03:24:13   #
prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
 
Thanks everyone for your respective input. I will go away and play a bit and see what happens!

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Sep 23, 2022 07:00:51   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
Ysarex wrote:
... It can affect raw files by reducing exposure.

It depends on the model.

With the Z7, increasing the Active D-Lighting level does not affect the recommended exposure so it has no effect on the raw file. The camera's histograms do not respond to the Active D-Lighting setting.

With the Df, increasing the Active D-Lighting level reduces the recommended exposure to help with highlight recovery. But if you don't react to the recommended change in exposure when you are using full Manual (including manual ISO) it also has no effect on the raw file. But the camera's histograms do respond to the Active D-Lighting setting.

Bottom line - if you develop from raw, don't bother with Active D-Lighting.

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Sep 23, 2022 09:20:52   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there. I have heard that one should turn active D lighting off - others recommend it being on-Auto. What would you recommend??


It depends on the look you want. RUN TESTS in various scenarios to see what you get when you set it at different levels. It only affects the JPEG. So if you record raw files, AND JPEGs, you can use it on the JPEG to adjust dynamic interpretation of the scene.

Several camera brands have this feature with slightly different implementations. Panasonic calls it "i.Dynamic" and lets you set it to Auto, High, Standard, Low, or Off. I like it on Auto most of the time. But for raw files, I'll adjust the dynamics myself in Lightroom Classic, usually with better results.

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Sep 23, 2022 09:33:34   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
selmslie wrote:
With the Z7, increasing the Active D-Lighting level does not affect the recommended exposure so it has no effect on the raw file. The camera's histograms do not respond to the Active D-Lighting setting.

Clarification:

The live luminosity histogram (in the viewfinder) does not respond to the Active D-Lighting setting.

The histograms and embedded JPEG do change with the setting even if you are keeping only the raw data.

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Sep 23, 2022 09:35:12   #
BebuLamar
 
I used to have active D lighting on with my Nikon Df. After I have it serviced Nikon adjusted the camera so it shoots a bit darker than before so I turn off the active D lighting. Active D lighting does reduce the exposure a little bit.

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Sep 23, 2022 09:44:36   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
BebuLamar wrote:
I used to have active D lighting on with my Nikon Df. After I have it serviced Nikon adjusted the camera so it shoots a bit darker than before so I turn off the active D lighting. Active D lighting does reduce the exposure a little bit.

It depends on the setting. On Extra high 2 the difference is about 1.7 stops less exposure than for Off.

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Sep 23, 2022 09:51:38   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
selmslie wrote:
It depends on the model.

With the Z7, increasing the Active D-Lighting level does not affect the recommended exposure so it has no effect on the raw file.

It's settings dependent. That's why I originally said: "It can (setting dependent) affect your raw file by altering exposure." Then in the post you quote I said: "It can affect raw files by reducing exposure." And that includes with a Z7. ADL may or may not affect exposure depending on the camera settings. Below is an example (two SOOC JPEGS) using a Z7 where ADL did alter the exposure.

Camera set to matrix metering and aperture priority so that the camera's metering system selects the shutter speed. First photo ADL is off and the camera selected 1/3 sec. shutter speed. Second photo ADL set to Extra High and the camera selected 1/6 sec. shutter speed.

I have no use for ADL so I'm not too interested in trying to map out all the different ways (settings combinations) in which yes it will or no it won't alter the exposure. So I just say heads up ADL can affect raw file exposure (settings dependent).


(Download)


(Download)

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Sep 23, 2022 10:03:09   #
bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD
 
Ysarex wrote:
Just checked my Z7 which is set to save raw only. Active D lighting is available at all levels. Maybe the difference is old/new cameras.


Yep its available in RAW form on my D750. The thing about Nikon Active D-Lighting is I thought it a "nikon" thing and wasn't available in lightroom. It has a development panel in NX Studio.

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Sep 23, 2022 10:26:20   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
For me personally, it's off. That's due to the fact that I shoot RAW and it would have no effect. In fact, almost all of the adjustments other than ISO (not auto), shutter speed, and aperture, are a waste of money on my cameras. I do use a custom WB. Other than that those other settings don't get touched.
--Bob
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there. I have heard that one should turn active D lighting off - others recommend it being on-Auto. What would you recommend??

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Sep 23, 2022 10:26:50   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
ADL was discussed a couple years ago
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-page?upnum=2955

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Sep 23, 2022 11:25:02   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
fredpnm wrote:
So can you tell us how you can tell it is working for RAW images - display on the camera as you are taking photos?


I don’t use it and I don’t use Nikon’s software but I’m betting that if you process your raw files with their software you’ll be able to apply it.

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Sep 23, 2022 11:26:08   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
Ysarex wrote:
It's settings dependent. That's why I originally said: "It can (setting dependent) affect your raw file by altering exposure." Then in the post you quote I said: "It can affect raw files by reducing exposure." And that includes with a Z7. ADL may or may not affect exposure depending on the camera settings. ...

That's correct.

I just happened to have the metering mode set to highlight weighted when I tested it and it did not alter the exposure. But with it set to matrix metering it did.

I can see the shadow recovery effect of ADL in the embedded JPEG but since I am starting from raw I have to do that myself.

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