Light metering options for landscape photography

[pdk42]

Thanks Paul, appreciate it! Quick follow-up on these: I assume by live-view you mean the normal regular EVF/display view, not the specific modes that shows aperture and shutter speed live? And Standard/Natural modes were the modes you were referring to?

Thanks again!

Yes, thé regular EVF/rear screen.

 

[CharlesH]

What is a waveform monitor? I guess it’s video only?

Page 264 in the S5 Manual. Yes, video only. Set the camera to video and try it.

 

[ptr22]

Agree

Yes, thé regular EVF/rear screen.

Thank you! And totally agree on the waveform preview for video, would be awesome to have that for photo!!

 

[pdk42]

What does the waveform show? Is it like a histogram?

 

[CharlesH]

What does the waveform show? Is it like a histogram?

Take a look at it. The X axis is the width of the image plane, and the Y axis is the brightness, from zero to maximum. For each X value it displays the brightness of every pixel at that X. The sky, for example, will be a line at some Y value, and by displaying the waveform monitor with the image you get an understanding of the brightness of everything in the image.

The video editor has the same display, and what you shoot with the camera will be displayed in the editor. The editor can break this up into separate red, green and blue pixel displays.

For Lumix cameras the waveform monitor can be adjusted by tapping the monitor to bring up adjustment arrows, and adjust the size with the rear dial (shutter dial), and position it with the touch screen.

The histogram is brightness in X and number of pixels in Y. It has some value to help control over exposure but does not show where the over exposure is happening. It can help in low contrast scenes. As you have pointed out, zebras are helpful with high contrast scenes. A waveform monitor is more or less standard for videography. When I shoot video I normally have both the waveform monitor and zebras turned on. For photography I use zebras. If I have time to survey a scene I use the luminance spot meter.

 

[pdk42]

Take a look at it. The X axis is the width of the image plane, and the Y axis is the brightness, from zero to maximum. For each X value it displays the brightness of every pixel at that X. The sky, for example, will be a line at some Y value, and by displaying the waveform monitor with the image you get an understanding of the brightness of everything in the image.

The video editor has the same display, and what you shoot with the camera will be displayed in the editor. The editor can break this up into separate red, green and blue pixel displays.

For Lumix cameras the waveform monitor can be adjusted by tapping the monitor to bring up adjustment arrows, and adjust the size with the rear dial (shutter dial), and position it with the touch screen.

The histogram is brightness in X and number of pixels in Y. It has some value to help control over exposure but does not show where the over exposure is happening. It can help in low contrast scenes. As you have pointed out, zebras are helpful with high contrast scenes. A waveform monitor is more or less standard for videography. When I shoot video I normally have both the waveform monitor and zebras turned on. For photography I use zebras. If I have time to survey a scene I use the luminance spot meter.

Thanks Charles. That’s a great explanation. I really should take the time to understand video better. I’m assuming the waveform can only be displayed in video mode?

 

[ptr22]

Thanks Charles. That’s a great explanation. I really should take the time to understand video better. I’m assuming the waveform can only be displayed in video mode?

Unfortunately, yes!