p.1 #1 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Did anyone measured how many f-stops of tonal range can be recorded on a sensor of a D70, D100, D2X,...& Canon 300D, 350D, 10D, 20D, 1D and so on? I don't want to couse any N vs.C war again (just like with unlucky 5D) I'm just curious .
And I know I can measure it for myself...
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 22, 2005 at 07:36 PM
jmcfadden Offline Image Upload: On
p.1 #2 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
it is an exceedingly difficult thing to really measure , where do you draw the line on the S/N ratio? When you figure that bit out the rest is simple math
J
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 22, 2005 at 11:13 PM
dannybphoto Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #3 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Here I go sounding like a dick, but when it all boils down, does it make a difference? If you know how to shoot, you'll make a great picture with a D70, D2x, 20D, or a D30. All respect due Petrus, but if you need to know that, than maybe you're missing the joy of photography. There's this book you should read...
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 22, 2005 at 11:19 PM
logo29a Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #4 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Couldn't you take a gray card and manually increase exposure by 1/3rd stops until you got it completely blown; then manually decrease exposure until you get pure black; then measure the stops between? Lighting would obviously have to remain precise and constant.
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 22, 2005 at 11:43 PM
jsuro Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #5 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
This is good information to know. I tested my D70 and it has an usable range of 7 stops. This said I've learned to bracket, ususally +.5 as the camera retains more information this way, with considerably less noise. Also, the histogtram on the camera is inaccurate as the the higlights clip higher than what the histogram says.
Best,
Jose
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 22, 2005 at 11:52 PM
Petrus Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #6 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
I know I was lazy to ask this question , I just used the comfort of instant help from the forum .
dannybphoto
I'm not nuts! _peace_ Most of a time people make pix and don' think to much, but sometimes results are not satisfying - then is the time to think it out - that's my moment.
logo29a
Nothing to say... with a little bit of effort I'd think it out myself ... Thanks very much !!! I just had a lazy morning ...
Jsuro
Thanks again that's an answer I thouht about.
I don't know why, I had it in my head from old times that negative films have ~3.5 EV, :worried: slides even less, :worried: and dslr sensors even less... Sometimes you need to hear that ther is no monster in the room ...
Tanks again to everybody for your interest. I really appreciate that I can gain some info here fast without need of doing everything myself. If you want sth from my side - welcome to see my test of Sigma 10-20 HSM .
p.1 #7 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Hi;
Films varied. Color Slide film had about 5 stops, negative about 6 and B&W about 7.
Digital cameras vary too to the best of my knowledge.
I shoot a D70 and don't get close to 7 stops of what I consider "usable" range.
I shoot within about 5 stops and loose a lot of detal on either end of that. My buddy tells me that I use 5 because I can only count on my fingers and it's the only way I can keep track of things!
"Usable" is a vague term. I don't think the D70 gives good detail over 5 stops.
By the time I'm 2 and 1/2 stops from my choosen middle tone I'm pretty much losing loads of detail. I often like to use the D70 set to 1/2 stop increments cuz the viewinder shows three full stops on either side of the middle gray exposure and I consider this pretty much more than covering the camera's usable dynamic range. I can pan a subject looking at the viewfinder and if the meter goes the full three stops on both sides I've got basic decisions to make.
Moose Peterson generally tries to keep everything important in a three stop range! For film and digital.
Cheers,
Craig Ryder
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 23, 2005 at 11:26 AM
jsuro Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #8 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Ryder wrote:
Hi;
Films varied. Color Slide film had about 5 stops, negative about 6 and B&W about 7.
Digital cameras vary too to the best of my knowledge.
I shoot a D70 and don't get close to 7 stops of what I consider "usable" range.
I shoot within about 5 stops and loose a lot of detal on either end of that. My buddy tells me that I use 5 because I can only count on my fingers and it's the only way I can keep track of things!
"Usable" is a vague term. I don't think the D70 gives good detail over 5 stops.
By the time I'm 2 and 1/2 stops from my choosen middle tone I'm pretty much losing loads of detail. I often like to use the D70 set to 1/2 stop increments cuz the viewinder shows three full stops on either side of the middle gray exposure and I consider this pretty much more than covering the camera's usable dynamic range. I can pan a subject looking at the viewfinder and if the meter goes the full three stops on both sides I've got basic decisions to make.
Moose Peterson generally tries to keep everything important in a three stop range! For film and digital.
Cheers,
Craig Ryder
You are absolutely correct Craig - the definition of usable is misleading. I mentioned 7 stops because whenever possible I like to use blacks to about 10/255 and whites to 255/255 in my images - no detail there but part of my definition. Ergo - 7 stops.
Here's the test by the way - pretty much useless for anyone else unless the image on the monitor and the print used for the test both measure the same at zone 5 - in my case 125/255.
Best,
Jose
Best,
Jose
Edited on Aug 24, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Aug 23, 2005 at 02:20 PM
Petrus Offline Image Upload: Off
p.1 #9 · How big is a tonal range of a DSLR sensor???
Ryder, jsuro thanks for your voices here, finally this thread is leading to sth .
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, I just used the comfort of instant help from the forum 
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... Thanks very much 
!!! I just had a lazy morning 
...
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