Fuji X-E2 and DR100, DR200 and DR400

[faberryman]

On the X-E2, do the DR100, DR200 and DR400 settings have any effect on the RAW image, or do they only effect the JPG image?

 

[flysurfer]

They (DR200% & DR400%) affect both the JPEG (obviously) and the RAW (underexposure by 1 or 2 stops).

See Exposing Right - Fuji Rumors and How to Expand Dynamic Range - Fuji Rumors and my books for details.

 

[faberryman]

If the DR200 and DR400 cause underexposure by one and two stops, respectively, how does that differ from simply dialing in exposure compensation.

 

[faberryman]

If the DR200 and DR400 cause underexposure by one and two stops, respectively, in RAW, how does that differ from simply dialing in exposure compensation.

 

[flysurfer]

Well, in this case, there is just underexposure, no second step that applies the tonemapping during RAW processing.

Just look at the examples in today's X-Pert Corner article. The difference is striking.

 

[faberryman]

DR200 and DR400 sound good for JPGs; for RAW, I just go with exposure compensation.

 

[flysurfer]

Yep, "RAW only" plus ETTR is a viable process.

 

[mtnmasher]

The under exposure caused by DR200 and DR400 reduces your ability to bring up shadow detail in post.

In other words, DR reduces the shadow detail captured in favor of additional highlight detail. The trade off works for some subject matter, but not for all. There is no free lunch...

 

[flysurfer]

DR reduces the shadow detail captured in favor of additional highlight detail. The trade off works for some subject matter, but not for all. There is no free lunch...

It works for all subjects that require more DR. Obviously, DR expansion should be switched off when no DR expansion is required.

DR simply automates the ETTR exposure & tonemapping of a manual external RAW workflow.