pixelpushing
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I posted this in the current cRAW thread but wanted to be sure folks got to see what I've found to at least be a partial solution to compression artifacts in high contrast shots.
SO. You have a high contrast scene with sharp edges that may invoke posterized or 'artifact' 16 pixel chunk edges when you pull shadows. Try HIGH ISO! You're wanting to brighten shadows anyway, which already reveals more noise. If you capture the image at higher ISO the 'pulling' has already been done for you and it's cRAW artifact-free. Not even really a workaround, as the image doesn't require substantial editing, just a basic import and export with default noise settings (seen here). Those looking to boost shadows to the degree that artifacts are revealed aren't using JPEG, so that's a non-issue.
If you're worried about blown highlights from limited higher ISO DR, ETTL a bit. An image-wide EV push can blow highlights, too - so do the usual regional edit or at worst, composite a couple of exposure bracketed shots. Even Nikon FF owners do this
Just a quick unscientific example:
ISO-100 w/ big shadow + EV pull: Posterization!
View: original size
ISO-3200: Voila, no artifacts! Similar noise!
View: original size
Anyway, just an idea I had and a first pass at it. I'm not advocating that Sony should not offer lossless RAW as an option. Just looking to share an option that might help some folks.
SO. You have a high contrast scene with sharp edges that may invoke posterized or 'artifact' 16 pixel chunk edges when you pull shadows. Try HIGH ISO! You're wanting to brighten shadows anyway, which already reveals more noise. If you capture the image at higher ISO the 'pulling' has already been done for you and it's cRAW artifact-free. Not even really a workaround, as the image doesn't require substantial editing, just a basic import and export with default noise settings (seen here). Those looking to boost shadows to the degree that artifacts are revealed aren't using JPEG, so that's a non-issue.
If you're worried about blown highlights from limited higher ISO DR, ETTL a bit. An image-wide EV push can blow highlights, too - so do the usual regional edit or at worst, composite a couple of exposure bracketed shots. Even Nikon FF owners do this
Just a quick unscientific example:
ISO-100 w/ big shadow + EV pull: Posterization!
View: original size
ISO-3200: Voila, no artifacts! Similar noise!
View: original size
Anyway, just an idea I had and a first pass at it. I'm not advocating that Sony should not offer lossless RAW as an option. Just looking to share an option that might help some folks.