Sony A7R V: Perfect ETTR at ISO 50/100 using Zebra Display

2024-02-25 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Canon, dynamic range, Expose To The Right, exposure, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, histogram, Leica, Nikon, please fix this, please fix this camera, please fix this Canon, please fix this Fujifilm, please fix this Hasselblad, please fix this Leica, please fix this Nikon, please fix this Sony, raw file processing, Sony, Sony A7R, Sony A7R II, Sony A7R III, Sony A7R IV, Sony A7R V, Sony mirrorless, true raw histogram, Zebra display

re: post processing and Adobe Camera Raw
re: ETTR
re: please fix this Sony

Sony A7R V

I wanted a reliable approach that I could rely on in the field for an ideal ETTR exposure, and one with few or no compromises.

Based on the findings in Birch Trees In Winter and Color Card, I experimented with ISO 50 and ISO 100 and Zebra display to nail down a working system. This page should take all the guesswork out of it.

• ISO 50 vs 100: which ISO is best for ETTR, and why.
• Aligning ISO 50 results exactly to ISO 100 results.
• Settings for Zebra display at ISO 50 and 100.
• Approach for the user who changes ISO.

The principles detailed here apply to other cameras if they have a similar Zebra display*.

Learn how you can get get perfect ETTR exposure every time without blowing it:

Sony A7R V: Configuring Zebra Display

Sony A7R V: Perfect ETTR at ISO 50/100 using Zebra Display

* For example, the Nikon Z8 has a Zebra mode, but it works only in Video mode.

Sony A7R V: Zebra Display configuration, Custom 1

Glenn K writes:

Does choosing ISO 50 (or any other ISO below the base) have any other effects than simply changing exposure? Any squirrely changes in RAW files?

DIGLLOYD: using Adobe Camera Raw, I have yet to see any difference between Base ISO 100 and ISO Lo 50 on the Sony A7R V, or the Nikon Z8 (ISO 64/32). I will be testing the Fujifilm GFX100S but I don’t suspect any difference there either.

But due to hardware processing which could vary with some cameras, this should never be assumed for any particular camera. RAW converter is also a variable—I stick with ACR but it’s possible that Capture One Pro or other converters could behave badly.

The test is trivial: using a nicely varying-in-color subject, set the camera to manual exposure, shoot two frames one at Base ISO and one at ISO Lo at identical exposure, and then process to the same brightness (push/pull as needed).