PhilSouth wrote: One clarification...while I think the processing of Creative HDR has a little better output, I know it is really just one image. However, the HDR in Scene Mode does actually take three photos and combine them.
So, I guess it is Scene Mode HDR adjustment I am really asking about.
Phil, as Panasonic labels the setting in the LX7's Creative Controi mode as "High Dynamic" I suspect it is much the same in its action as the High Dynamic setting which was added in the LX3’s Firmware update. It carried the following description, instructions and notes.
“You can use this mode to easily record pictures in which bright and dark regions of the
scene are expressed with suitable brightness when looking into the sun, at night, or in
similar circumstances.
HIGH DYNAMIC
• Setting the effect
1 Press 3/4 to select the effect to use, and then press [MENU/SET].
It can be set from the quick menu.
[ STD]: Natural color effect
[ART ]: Eye-catching effect which emphasises contrast and color
[B&W]: Black and white effect
2 Take pictures.
Note
• ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO400].
• RAW pictures cannot be recorded.
• Compensation effect may not be achieved depending on the conditions.
• The shutter may remain closed (max. about 8 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal
processing. This is not a malfunction.
• The focus range is 1 cm (0.04 feet) (Wide)/30 cm (0.99 feet) (Tele) to ¶.
• Noise on the LCD monitor may show up more than in normal recording conditions due to
compensation of the shadowy area, making it brighter.
• Only [‹] and [OE] for flash can be set.
• You cannot use Burst Mode and [ ] in [AF MODE].”
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However, the LX7 manual instructions on High Dynamic state the following, which gives some control over the process, so it may not be the same:
"This picture effect creates a picture with a well-balanced brightness for the entire picture (from dark areas to bright areas)
• Items that can be set
Brightness Underexposure (darker) <---> Overexposure (brighter)
Degree of
Background Defocuses the background <---> The background is in focus as well
Defocussing
Coloring Black & white <---> Gaudy colouring"
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To activate these HD settings, I seem to have worked out that the following sequence of buttons is required.
1. set the dial to the Creative Control setting
2. Press the Up(^) or Down(v) buttons to move to the High Dynamic screen
3. Press the central Menu/Set button to return to the Record screen
4a. Press the Right (>) button to display the Brightness, Defocusing, and Coloring options
[OR 4b. press Down button to go to +/- EV display ... SEE 9 BELOW]
5a. Use the Up or Down buttons to choose an option
6a. Use the Left (<) or Right (>) buttons to set the level of the option
7a. Press the Menu/Set button to return to the Record screen
8a. Take picture, [
OR go to 4a to set another option and repeat]
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It also seems that the extent of the +/- EV settings can also be set, as follows, but I have not checked the effectiveness
5b. [from +/- EV display] press down button for +/- EV setting display
6b. Press Right arrow to increase EV spread, or left arrow to decrease EV spread
7b. Press central Menu/Set button to return to the Record screen
8b. Take picture
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I also think that I have worked out how to set the +/- EV scale for Scene Mode HDR, but I have not checked the effectiveness, as it is late at night at the moment, and I am tired.
1. Set dial to Scene Mode
2. Use Left, Right, Up, Down buttons to choose HDR setting
3. Press the Menu/Set button to return to the Record screen (with white EV scale below)
4. Press scroll wheel in (to turn EV scale yellow)
5. Rotate scroll wheel to set EV scale
6. Take picture
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Please let me know if this helps
Cyril
