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How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

Started Dec 3, 2018 | Discussions
IanSlater New Member • Posts: 7
How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

I would like to activate the DR Correction in my G12 as pulling in the highlights is about the most universal processing step I take with my images.

Unfortunately the DR Correction and Shadow Correct icons seem permanently greyed out in the function set window.

I normally use the P Mode, but they do not appear to be available in any shooting style. I usually shoot RAW + jpg.

Please can anyone advise me how to activate these functions? The manual and online searches have proved unhelpful.

Canon PowerShot G12
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Dave Sparks Senior Member • Posts: 1,350
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?
1

IanSlater wrote:

I would like to activate the DR Correction in my G12 as pulling in the highlights is about the most universal processing step I take with my images.

Unfortunately the DR Correction and Shadow Correct icons seem permanently greyed out in the function set window.

I normally use the P Mode, but they do not appear to be available in any shooting style. I usually shoot RAW + jpg.

Please can anyone advise me how to activate these functions? The manual and online searches have proved unhelpful.

I think it is because your are shooting RAW + jpg (RAW being the issue). Select JPEG only and see if the functions are available.

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Dave Sparks Senior Member • Posts: 1,350
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?
 Dave Sparks's gear list:Dave Sparks's gear list
Canon G7 X II Canon EOS 90D Canon EF-S 10-22mm F3.5-4.5 USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm F4L IS USM +18 more
Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

Dave Sparks wrote:

IanSlater wrote:

I would like to activate the DR Correction in my G12 as pulling in the highlights is about the most universal processing step I take with my images.

Unfortunately the DR Correction and Shadow Correct icons seem permanently greyed out in the function set window.

I normally use the P Mode, but they do not appear to be available in any shooting style. I usually shoot RAW + jpg.

Please can anyone advise me how to activate these functions? The manual and online searches have proved unhelpful.

I think it is because your are shooting RAW + jpg (RAW being the issue). Select JPEG only and see if the functions are available.

That is correct, no styles or color preset processing options are available when shooting RAW, except White Balance settings.

This also applies to RAW + JPEG.

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
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In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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OP IanSlater New Member • Posts: 7
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

Many thanks Mark & Dave.

It is indeed unavailable in either RAW or RAW + jpg. And when I set it in pure jpg mode, it pointedly removed when I revert to RAW + jpg!

A great pity because it permanently spoils the jpg image and means software needs to be used on most of my pictures (mainly landscape, architectural  & transport) to pull in the sky, highlights and particularly swans!

I can't see any justification for its exclusion, at least on the jpg image. Most other tone settings inc. WB are indeed available. But there it is, and it won't be changed on this venerable little camera.

Enders Shadow
Enders Shadow Veteran Member • Posts: 3,604
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

IanSlater wrote:

I can't see any justification for its exclusion, at least on the jpg image. Most other tone settings inc. WB are indeed available. But there it is, and it won't be changed on this venerable little camera.

If you haven't noticed, using DR correction can change ISO, which directly impacts the RAW data. ISO can change even if it has been manually set. See page 108 of manual. Seems you primarily use unedited JPEGs and don't really need the RAW files or have any desire to process them.

I still use my G12 on a regular basis. It's capabilities are badly outdated, but it can still take some wonderful still images. I continue to shoot only RAW and process them in batch mode with a custom profile. A few deserve a bit of manual tweaking.

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Phil

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OP IanSlater New Member • Posts: 7
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

Didn't know that, thanks Phil. Seems a bad thing.

In fact, I use the RAW images and process them in Lightroom 6, starting from Presets I have made myself. The RAW images are mostly deleted after processing, to save vast amounts of memory,and the jpgs kept in case I want to go back to an original or pictures I have deleted.

Excellent camera. Main problems are shutter lag and long gap between repeat shots. I frequently use the G11 too. Big mistake to drop the articulated screen from later models, though I'm considering buying a larger sensor G.

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

IanSlater wrote:

Many thanks Mark & Dave.

It is indeed unavailable in either RAW or RAW + jpg. And when I set it in pure jpg mode, it pointedly removed when I revert to RAW + jpg!

A great pity because it permanently spoils the jpg image and means software needs to be used on most of my pictures (mainly landscape, architectural & transport) to pull in the sky, highlights and particularly swans!

I can't see any justification for its exclusion, at least on the jpg image. Most other tone settings inc. WB are indeed available. But there it is, and it won't be changed on this venerable little camera.

The CHDK "hack" enabled non-native RAW/DNG before Canon started enabling RAW output on Powershots. It can still be used on newer Powershots as an alternative to the native RAW. One of the unsung benefits of using CHDK DNG + JPEG instead of Canon's RAW + JPEG is that ALL the in-camera settings are preserved in JPEG output, instead of the "bare bones" JPEGs produced with native RAW (which are basically just the thumbnails for the RAW expoure).

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

There's a learning curve, but CHDK pulls a lot of extra functionality especially from older model Powershots.

Enders Shadow
Enders Shadow Veteran Member • Posts: 3,604
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

IanSlater wrote:

Didn't know that, thanks Phil. Seems a bad thing.

Yeah, using DR correction can increase ISO. In conditions where ISO 80 would be normally be used, enabling DR correction might push it up to 320 or 400. I understand the issue of avoiding highlight blowout. But this method sacrifices dynamic range to preserve those highlights. I prefer using a bit of negative exposure compensation when I expect there may be some clipping. As I primarily shoot RAW, there aren't many other options.

In fact, I use the RAW images and process them in Lightroom 6, starting from Presets I have made myself. The RAW images are mostly deleted after processing, to save vast amounts of memory,and the jpgs kept in case I want to go back to an original or pictures I have deleted.

I don't understand that "vast amounts of memory" comment. A 1 TB drive can be had for a pittance and will hold over 80,000 RAW files from a G12. I do aggressively cull bad or redundant shots, but keep the original RAW files. Recently I reprocessed travel pictures taken years ago to take advantage of better haze and noise reduction tools. The effort was worth the improved IQ.

Excellent camera. Main problems are shutter lag and long gap between repeat shots. I frequently use the G11 too. Big mistake to drop the articulated screen from later models, though I'm considering buying a larger sensor G.

I usually keep the G12 in my bag as a behind-the-scenes camera. The zoom range provides a lot of flexibility. I also prefer a articulated screen over a fixed LCD. But, the G12's features and performance are hopelessly outdated.

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Phil

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OP IanSlater New Member • Posts: 7
Re: How can I activate Dynamic Range Correction on my G12?

Thanks for all the help. I've got the answer I wanted and more besides which is most useful.

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