Author Topic: Blowing out highlights (Read 525 times)

javarob75 · « **on:** December 22, 2011, 04:02:31 PM »

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion(s) on how to avoid blowing out highlights with the e-p3. I currently shoot with an e-p1 & any time I'm shooting on a bright sunny day the highlight seem to get blown out... I'm planning on upgrading my camera soon and debating between a DSLR and the pen. I love the pens, so finding a way to control the highlights would make my decision easy...
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

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Em5 Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2011, 04:15:09 PM »

you may need to put a -.3 or -.6 EC as your regular EC setting.. many, if not all try to over value the ISO to have a slightly underexposed file, Maybe the E-P3 is not that way, and has true ISO settings....
When I owned a Pentax K20D, Canon XT1, Olympus E-510, , that was normal operating protocol, to set the EC to -.3 or -.6

You may try setting the Contrast to -2 and see how it goes, the lower contrast will darken the Highlights a little, and may be enough. And adjust Contrast latter with Curves.

voyager · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2011, 05:12:30 PM »

The great thing about the PEN is if you underexpose and bring it back up in Photoshop, the noise levels go through the roof!

Gavin X1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2011, 05:51:01 PM »

Try using a polarizing filter. Sometimes we forget about using lens filters because were brainwashed that camera menus and post processing sort out any problems with exposure variables, whereas using filters can not only increase the amount of successful exposures but also open up an avenue of filter experimentation and re-discovery of the art of photography. Especially with monochrome images.

voyager · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2011, 06:07:01 PM »

What effect would a polarizing filter have?

Gavin X1 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2011, 06:53:17 PM »

A polarising filter would give you the ability to control the highlights without too much detriment to the dark areas. It will effect the darker areas but not in direct comparison to the blown highlights unlike density filters.

I use them and find them indispensable. I usually set my camera to 2 thirds of a stop under for general use but once I'm in a situation where highlights would be hard to control I set the exposure compensation to minus one third and slap a polarising filter on the lens. The exposure compensation could be set to zero when a polariser is mounted on the lens but I always go at least a third under no matter where I am with filters.

I hope that was helpful.

javarob75 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:38:23 PM »

Quote from: Gavin X1 on December 22, 2011, 06:53:17 PM

A polarising filter would give you the ability to control the highlights without too much detriment to the dark areas. It will effect the darker areas but not in direct comparison to the blown highlights unlike density filters.

I use them and find them indispensable. I usually set my camera to 2 thirds of a stop under for general use but once I'm in a situation where highlights would be hard to control I set the exposure compensation to minus one third and slap a polarising filter on the lens. The exposure compensation could be set to zero when a polariser is mounted on the lens but I always go at least a third under no matter where I am with filters.

I hope that was helpful.

I have thought about using a polarizing filter in the past, but I'm concerned about the additional weight of the filter affecting the AF motor in the lens...

voyager · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:46:40 PM »

They aren't that heavy?

javarob75 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2011, 08:09:26 PM »

Quote from: voyager on December 22, 2011, 07:46:40 PM

They aren't that heavy?

Not sure... I remember reading something about filters affecting AF on m4/3rds lenses

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Blowing out highlights