[Leica] digital analog comparison

[afirkin at afirkin.com (Alastair Firkin)]

Thanks Doug. In the arctic with the 180mm and 2x converter, I tried to use 
1/3000 when I could, but it seems I might have been a bit paranoid. I'm 
testing a bit before I go. Things tend to not move fast in the antarctic, 
but from the zodiacs, you do get the same roll. 

I still don't quite understand the differences that a RAW converter can make 
over another. Perhaps I should look at Flexcolour. 

Thanks again for your patience

Alastair

--- wildlightphoto@earthlink.net wrote:

From: wildlightphoto@earthlink.net
To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
Subject: Re: [Leica] digital analog comparison
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 20:40:33 -0800 (GMT-08:00)

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



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