DP2 Merrill exposure preview issue

[DannyDoi]

I just bought a DP2 Merrill in a very good condition. But when i start shooting i had noticed that the live preview on display does not show any changes when i change the exposure.

I can see that the numbers representing aperture or shutter speed are changing and then start to blink showing that the exposure is wrong. But the image on display have the same exposure at all times, no changes in any mode i use.

Am i missing something?

Thank you in advance for yor help.

 

[atom14]

Don't thank me (yet). I'm relying on memory here.

First, I'm sure there was a thread on this very subject a few weeks back. Secondly, I have only had the experience using the original DP1 and DP2 non-Merrill cameras...

But..., I seem to recall that you need to have it in Manual mode. I sure used to see the display brightness changing.

atom14.

 

[DannyDoi]

Thank you for sharing your memories though!

As far as i see the Manual mode is like the other ones, the display is not used for exposure representation.

 

[xpatUSA]

I just bought a DP2 Merrill in a very good condition. But when i start shooting i had noticed that the live preview on display does not show any changes when i change the exposure.

See below.

I can see that the numbers representing aperture or shutter speed are changing and then start to blink showing that the exposure is wrong. But the image on display have the same exposure at all times, no changes in any mode i use.

See below.

Am i missing something?

Yes.

In Auto, e.g. Aperture Priority, it does not change when you change aperture but, if changing EC, it does. Observe the live histogram which also only changes with +/- EC.

In Manual it does not change when adjusting exposure, neither with aperture nor with shutter.

You will get accustomed to it. Sounds like your DP2 Merrill is OK.

--
Too many variables, not enough grey cells ...
Ted

 

[DannyDoi]

You are right! Thank you very much!

But this is a strange behaviour, isnt it?

And how will i shoot with this camera? If i use A or S mode i should reach first to the exposure that camera think is best, no blinking numbers and the EC on 0. And then if i want to change the exposure what should do, change the A or S values or should i use EC to get there? Or how?

 

[xpatUSA]

You are right! Thank you very much!

But this is a strange behaviour, isn't it?

Why is it strange and which behavior are you talking about?

And how will shoot with this camera? If use A or S mode [should I] reach first to the exposure that camera thinks is best, no blinking numbers and the EC on 0 ?

If you are in A mode or S mode, you do indeed get what the camera thinks is best. The DP2 Merrill is no different to any other camera in that respect. That is to say: if you shoot a white sheet, the camera will make it gray. There is nothing new or different about that: it is basic "exposure 101".

And then if want to change the exposure what should do, change the A or S values?

If in Auto, changing the A or S values does NOT "change the exposure" - which is why the LCD brightness does NOT change.

... or should i use EC to get there?

Yes, in Auto, EC is what causes you to "get there" i.e. causes my example white sheet to become correctly white, not gray.

Or how?

I would suggest further reading about basic exposure because discussion about that is not really appropriate to this forum, sorry.

--
Too many variables, not enough grey cells ...
Ted

 

[DannyDoi]

You are right! Thank you very much!

But this is a strange behaviour, isnt it?

Why is it strange and which behavior are you talking about?

on the cams that i know when you change SS or A (aperture) the exposure on display is changing also

And how will i shoot with this camera? If i use A or S mode i should reach first to the exposure that camera think is best, no blinking numbers and the EC on 0.

If you are in A mode or S mode, you get what the camera thinks is best. The DP2 Merrill is no different to any other camera in that respect. That is to say: if you shoot a white sheet, the camera will make it gray. Nothing new about that: this is basic "exposure 101".

And then if i want to change the exposure what should do, change the A or S values

If in Auto, changing the A or S values does NOT "change the exposure" - which is why the LCD brightness should NOT change.

When I said A i was referring at Aperture priority mode not at Auto

or should i use EC to get there?

Yes, in Auto, EC is what causes the example white sheet to become correctly white, not gray.

Or how?

I would suggest further reading about basic exposure because discussion about that is not really appropriate to this forum, sorry.

Thank you very much, with your help now i'm on the good road!

 

[DannyDoi]

One more question if you know this camera that good, should i shoot raw? It is a big plus to develop it from raw?

 

[xpatUSA]

You are right! Thank you very much!

But this is a strange behaviour, [isn't] it?

Why is it strange and which behavior are you talking about?

And then if want to change the exposure what should do, change the A or S values

If in Auto, changing the A or S values does NOT "change the exposure" - which is why the LCD brightness should NOT change.

When I said A was referring at Aperture priority mode, not at Auto.

I understood that. I was using "Auto" to mean anything other than Manual.

 

[xpatUSA]

One more question if you know this camera that good, should shoot raw? [Is it] a big plus to develop it from raw?

Big question, Danny.

First, let's be clear that shooting "this camera" in raw is no different to shooting any other camera in raw. That makes your question a general question because DP2 Merrill raw captures are no better or worse than any others.

I would recommend:

https://photographylife.com/raw-vs-jpeg/

Nasim Mansurov knows his stuff. :-D

--
Too many variables, not enough grey cells ...
Ted

 

[DannyDoi]

I said "this camera" because in this video this guy say to shoot raw only, he didnt like at all the jpegs from Sigma

And i was asking you from your persomal experience with this camera if its worth to shoot raw only

 

[atom14]

I said "this camera" because in this video this guy say to shoot raw only, he didnt like at all the jpegs from Sigma

And i was asking you from your persomal experience with this camera if its worth to shoot raw only

What he's saying in the first part of this video is somewhat more nuanced than just "...he didnt like at all the jpegs from Sigma..." Similar statements could be made of any out-of-camera (OOC) jpeg. Don't take it as a hard rule.

OTOH, once I got my first "raw-capable" camera - the original DP1, I've always shot raw, because I like to manipulate the images myself.

Just enjoy experimenting with the camera.

atom14.

 

[jande9]

One more question if you know this camera that good, should i shoot raw? It is a big plus to develop it from raw?

Shoot raw plus jpeg. Windows can't display X3F files so shooting both helps you keep track of your pictures.

Merrill jpegs are not great so you need to shoot raw to get the amazing quality your little camera is capable of.

Jan

 

[atom14]

i don't want to gainsay the venerable Jande too much, but there isn't even any need to shoot both jpeg and raw. Just shoot in raw, and use [something like] free Faststone Image Viewer , which will display the embedded jpeg in your raw files.

atom14.

 

[xpatUSA]

I said "this camera" because in this video this guy say to shoot raw only, he didnt like at all the jpegs from Sigma

OK.

And i was asking you from your persomal experience with this camera if its worth to shoot raw only

Yes.

 

[DannyDoi]

Thank you very much for your answers, you were very helpful.

I had started to shoot, no more talk (for now)