Medium Format ETTR

[marcmccalmont]

Now with about a month of experience with a P30 (hardly an expert!) I think I know why many have stated ETTR files don’t look as good as normally exposed files from MFDB’s. I’m guessing it is a lack of local contrast due to the greater dynamic range in the shadows. If you ETTR you get maximum dynamic range which on a DSLR the local contrast looks good when under exposed but looks a bit “washed out” on a MFDB. I have found if I ETTR then, when appropriate (not backlit subjects) during post processing under expose then run the shadow slider  (curves or levels) into the blacks a stop or two I get a much more pleasing image.  Any thoughts?

I also noticed the camera is much more sensitive to vibrations (wind, mirror, shutter etc) so with a 5D  I usually didn’t use a cable release, mirror lockup, hang the backpack on the tripod etc., I am finding it is essential with the 645 AFD/P30. I’m also spending less time cleaning up dust spots but more time making colors look good?

Marc

[michael]

You definitely need to normalize the image when you ETTR. The first thing to do is move the black point slider to an appropriate setting and then the exposure slider (mid point) so as to properly redistribute the tonal values.

Michael

[marcmccalmont]

You definitely need to normalize the image when you ETTR. The first thing to do is move the black point slider to an appropriate setting and then the exposure slider (mid point) so as to properly redistribute the tonal values.

Michael
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I'm surprised at how far into the blacks (some times 2 stops) I need to go. On the 5D setting it at the edge of the blacks usually gave me a nice image.
Marc