'Less contrast' setting

Ive been using this setting for the last couple of months as a sort of default setting, as it is not always convienient to chop & change through the menu.

However, i do often find that the entire histogram is biased towards the centre of the read-out, requiring me to move the shadow and highlight sliders inwards, when processing.

I'm now wondering if i am losing valuable data throughout the 'entire' range/ latitude, by using this setting as default in all conditions, and whether i would be better returning to my original 'normal contrast' setting, as default, and only risk losing deep shadow detail in harsh light.

I haven't noticed any obvious degrading, by using this setting under average lighting conditions, but would like to know for sure!!

Thanks

Alan

Hi Alan,
Do you shoot in Raw (nef), I'm sure you do and if so you already have all the data the sensor has captured, the low, normal and high contrast data is there. Shooting with the low contrast setting makes life easier as it bunch's up the histogram and makes it easy to control, you should try and expose to the right to get the best out of your sensor, see the articles about this online.

Tim

Ah, thanks Tim,

Yes, i do only shoot in nef, although i never use the camera's histogram, as i can't see it without my glasses {hence my preference for incident}.

Can't believe i'm forgetting the basics of raw capture, and remembering what is there, and what isn't {probably explains why i haven't noticed any loss of info/ detail, on the final print}.

Now all has become clear again, i think i shall tweak my incident meter calibration, as i seem to have a bit more room to play with, using that setting.

Thanks for that!!

Alan