Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/11/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Alastair Firkin wrote: > Doug, > could you re-enlighten me on the settings > you use with the DMR for your wildlife work? Typically I use ISO 400 with -1 exposure compensation, but that's really just a starting point or for when chimping is impractical. More often I'll review the histograms of the first few exposures to be sure I'm not clipping any highlights, and to set the exposure so the histogram is as far to the right as possible w/o clipping. I have the display set up to highlight clipped pixels. > Also, any comments about what to do with the files: > should I keep them as the big 20meg files Yes. I use Imacon Flexcolor so I can't comment on C1 or LR. > Any hints on handling? Boy just typing this > is making me keen to "get out there". Minimum acceptable shutter speeds will vary from one person to the next, from one day to the next, and from one situation to the next. On dry land with the 560, shoulder stock & monopod, I try to stick with 1/125 sec or faster but this isn't a strict rule. I've gone slower to 1/60 sec, and if I'm in a hurry or the critter is moving 1/125 sec will be too slow. In the kayak I often use 1/3000 sec because EVERYTHING is moving: the bird is swimming on ripples that are making it bob up & down, the kayak is being pushed laterally and turning from the slightest breeze, plus the kayak is rolling slightly, bobbing out of sync with the bird, and its roll angle changes as I turn to follow the bird. With the 280mm lens on dry land with shoulder stock & monopod 1/60 sec is often fine (subject motion permitting) and when I have something solid to lean against 1/15 sec sometimes works too. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com