D-Range

jesalonen · 03-01-2009, 07:48 AM

Hi all,
I was performing an AF adjustment for my new 17-70 zoom (needed +6) and after that took a few test shots. I noticed some difference: when D-Range was on, dark areas of the picture looked a little noisier than without D-Range. Some mid-contrast areas looked bit sharper with D-range (better microcontrast, perhaps) but in the dark areas the difference was quite visible. ISO was same in both pictures. Is this possible, what do you think?

BW,

Jari

**DAZ** · 03-01-2009, 09:37 AM

This is consistent with the noted behavior of D-Range as documented in multiple treads. You can do a search for these old threads if you would like more information.

DAZ

Marc Sabatella · 03-01-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by jesalonen

dark areas of the picture looked a little noisier than without D-Range.

That's exactly as advertised - John Carlson even pointed this out in the demo video Pentax posted when the camera was first announced. And when you think about how it is implemented, it makes perfect sense - all D-range does is shoot the picture underexposed as necessary to preserve highlights and then apply a curve to bring out the shadow levels. It's nothing you couldn't do yourself in PP, but if you do try it in PP, you'll find the exact same thing to be true: bringing up the shadow levels will amplify noise.

jesalonen · 03-01-2009, 11:25 AM

Thanks, guys! Now that you've explained it, it actually makes perfect sense. So no more d-range for me...

03-01-2009, 07:48 AM	#1
jesalonen Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 60	D-Range Hi all, I was performing an AF adjustment for my new 17-70 zoom (needed +6) and after that took a few test shots. I noticed some difference: when D-Range was on, dark areas of the picture looked a little noisier than without D-Range. Some mid-contrast areas looked bit sharper with D-range (better microcontrast, perhaps) but in the dark areas the difference was quite visible. ISO was same in both pictures. Is this possible, what do you think? BW, Jari

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03-01-2009, 09:37 AM	#2
DAZ Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Everett, WA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 744	This is consistent with the noted behavior of D-Range as documented in multiple treads. You can do a search for these old threads if you would like more information. DAZ

03-01-2009, 09:46 AM	#3
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by jesalonen dark areas of the picture looked a little noisier than without D-Range. That's exactly as advertised - John Carlson even pointed this out in the demo video Pentax posted when the camera was first announced. And when you think about how it is implemented, it makes perfect sense - all D-range does is shoot the picture underexposed as necessary to preserve highlights and then apply a curve to bring out the shadow levels. It's nothing you couldn't do yourself in PP, but if you do try it in PP, you'll find the exact same thing to be true: bringing up the shadow levels will amplify noise.

03-01-2009, 11:25 AM	#4
jesalonen Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 60 Original Poster	Thanks, guys! Now that you've explained it, it actually makes perfect sense. So no more d-range for me...