X100V Setup and Use (lengthy)

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

GreatOceanSoftware wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

GreatOceanSoftware wrote:

Thanks Erik. We agree on most body-common settings. The only major difference is I set my 3 Auto ISO modes to base to 800, base to 3200, and base to 12800, and tend to live in base to 3200.

Appreciate the details. And go ahead with the Q menu!

Hmm, not sure why that Q menu photo didn’t post, it was there.

On the subject of Auto-ISO presets, I’m not sure why anyone would want to limit the ISO on either end (some folks tend to do both). A lower ISO is always better if it can go there and still satisfy the other preset parameters. Limiting how high the ISO can go runs the very real risk of the camera overriding your minimum SS setting - I’ll take a noisy shot over a blurry one any day. I don’t want to shoot at ISO 12800, but if it has to go that high to maintain my minimum SS while not clipping any highlights, I usually let it.

I set a break at 3200 because I know that I’m always willing to accept that level of noise, but be warned if it needs more than that. Then I can decide on how best to handle it. This is usually only the case in borderline situations, because if I know I need higher ISO, I’ll go ahead and choose Auto 3 (12800). The only time it bites me is when it’s a fleeting scene, so not very often. I’m usually taking my time and composing.

But your approach certainly relieves some stress and one more variable from the equation. I like it. And I agree that I’d rather have a noisy shot than a blurry one 😉

Also curious if you think setting your screen brightness to +5 causes difficulty in judging exposure, before or after the shot?

I’ve been running the EVF on AUTO lately and the LCD screen I adjust as needed. The +5 was for outdoors in the sun (and still not bright enough).

Yes, that’s one thing I liked about the Canon M6II screen. I could customize one of the D-pad buttons to instantaneously go to maximum brightness, and it was actually bright enough for full sun. But it did cause distortion in the rendering of highlights, shadows, and colors, and periodically caused me to miss the best exposure.

I haven’t owned a Fujifilm screen yet that is bright enough for full sun. But my guess is that the screens are capable, but they didn’t want to sacrifice battery life.