Standard or Vivid color? Please help

I plan to get the NEX-5N in early November before an important trip

I want to delaying buying as much as possible because I hope the clicking issue will be resolved by than

But than I won't be able to fully test the camera before using it. So I plan to use

iAuto ,DRO Auto, multi-metering , multi zone focus, NR low (Is this the desirable setting for hands off auto?)

But than should I set the color to either standard or vivid

My understanding is that Standard color would be more accurate but vivid would have more contrast and saturation so would look better for casual looking

Which should I use? Any suggestion from other expert user is appreciated

Hi - I found the Vivid setting produces way too saturated colors. Standard OOC colors look accurate and quite punchy.

Jefftan said:

But than I won't be able to fully test the camera before using it. So I plan to use

iAuto ,DRO Auto, multi-metering , multi zone focus, NR low (Is this the desirable setting for hands off auto?)

Click to expand...

How about P-mode, multi-metering, flexible spot focus, and RAW, for when you use the camera..and iAuto/RAW when you hand it to others with no experience of the camera?

You'll have to deal with the RAW files, but this can be as simple or complex as you like.

You'll get the following benefits.

• RAW will free you from needing to nail white balance when the image is taken, and give you a safety net on the exposure. You also don't need to decide on color saturation, sharpening, and NR until later and can even choose these on a per-image basis.
• Flexible spot focus will allow you to choose the focus point precisely (you can leave it in the center of the frame if you want to do it quickly, or move it onto the point you want to focus if you want to avoid re-framing). The camera may not always choose the focus point you want.
• P-mode while being fully automatic, allows you to add exposure compensation to avoid obvious errors in exposure. iAuto won't let you do this.

--
A rose by any other name is still a chicken.

Thanks for the reply

If I am using flexible spot focus but taking photo of landscape with no particular subject

What would the camera choose?

A random area or the central area?

My Philosophy is that if you are going to a beautiful place ( I am going to Korea), you should just leave everything on auto and have your mind only on composition. If you care too much about setting you loss track of beauty. Maybe it is just me, the best photo I take is when I am in the zone and is an artist that care nothing else except beauty. In my mind capturing what is beautiful is the very essence of photography.

So thanks everyone. Please comment on what's the best possible auto setting

Thanks

seachicken2000 said:

• Flexible spot focus will allow you to choose the focus point precisely (you can leave it in the center of the frame if you want to do it quickly, or move it onto the point you want to focus if you want to avoid re-framing). The camera may not always choose the focus point you want.

Click to expand...

99% of south korea is a dump

here's to the 1%

i hope you find it

I know what you say

The big city like Seoul is not worthy of travelling

I remember Tom Hoots in this forum recommended some color settings... I don't remember them right now.. it must be listened on some thread of the last year.

I know its odd, but I would consider using raw+jpg and auto.
I would then use vivid +1 contrast for shots with color
and standard -1 contrast for normal shots
and B&W +2 contrast for when you give up on color.

I find that with the creative styles on the custom menu those are the 3 settings I use the most. I like using vivid for most shots because it lets me know early when I should worry about exposure. The other two are used as described. I'm deathly afraid of DRO so i have no recommendations there.

You can always change things later with the image in any software to get a look you want.

--
'More mega-pixels does mean better photos!'

When you get the camera, find a nice scene that will be close to what you typically shoot, hopefully that involves good light and shadow and lots of color detail. Then, try out each of the modes, making little adjustments along the way, until you find the ones that you like the most. Those will be the 'right' settings for you.

I do this with every new camera I get, and they're never the same. With my A550, I found Vivid mode, contrast 0, sharpness 0, saturation -1 to be perfect. With my NEX3, I've been using Vivid mode, saturation -1, contrast 0, sharpness -1. With my A580 now, I've been experimenting, but so far have liked Standard at contrast +1, Saturation +1, sharpness +1, or Vivid with Saturation -1, contrast 0, and sharpness +1 (I've only had it a week, so I'm still fine tuning that one).

I generally find I ike Sony's Vivid mode for the tone curve and contrast tuning, but almost always need to turn saturation down -1 as it's just too saturated. But everyone's taste may be slightly different, and the only setting that is right is the one that makes you happy.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

I'm a relatively new convert to shooting RAW -- when shooting RAW, you don't need to think about White Balance, Creative Styles, etc. -- you just capture your shot, and adjust it however you like in whatever processing app you choose (I'm using Lightroom).