GH5 REAL WORLD discussion of camera Dynamic Range....

wwjd

Well-known member
(Ima throw some numbers around, but I don't have perfect proof of their accuracy, and the numbers are not the main point here anyway)

Everyone loves/wants many stops of Dynamic Range in a camera. Alexa does 15 stops, RED's hitting 16+, our cheaper ones claim 12 - probably only hitting 10... I've read our display screens and TVs are ACTUALLY only 8 to 10 (I forget where and doubt that is true), and don't know what HDR screens claim yet.

Yes, I would love to own a few more stops if I had a ton of money, but REALISTICALLY, how important are a few stops to us in the real world filming things?

I've seen tons of tests of this camera verses that camera, and how one keeps CLOUD detail while the next is blown out, or more detail in the dark shadows... or when shooting someone in front of a bright outside window.... I get how that works.... but how important is that to everyone?

My example is, I have never framed a scene with someone sitting before a bright window. (I don't do any interviews, just narrative). I've never shot in daylight and been concerned with the clouds, that I will easily replace in post for the proper weather look and color I want anyway. None of that has really served or detracted from my "Story"

So, I'm asking, how much time do YOU spend fretting over dynamic range? Do you just adjust the lights and move on, or restructure a shoot over it, or REWRITE the scene to fit the camera's DR limitations?

It seems DR is SOOO important, but in the end seems actually quite trivial. Is it just me?

Sure, I may get a BlackMagic with 15 stops someday, but really, I haven't felt the DR squeeze yet.

As a side question: is $20,000 REALLY worth it for 2 more stops, when a $50 light can accomplish the same thing? (bringing UP details in a shadow, for example)

Talking about us hobbiests and video business people, not million budget hollywood flicks - obviously, they can simple rent the very best, shoot a film, and move on.
 
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DR, and latitude - not really the same cover many elements - that may or may not matter.

If you shoot pretty folk singers in diffuse light or magic hour it doesnt matter one jot

If the director of Big Hotel Corp wants to do his interview in front of the Hotel sign at completely the wrong time of a super sunny day you are gonna be digging for DR or a $20k light not a $50 one.

The more you control your shoot the less it matters.. the more others control your shoot the more it matters!
 
Dynamic range is just one element. Colour science, highlight roll off (That beautiful Alexa highlight bloom)...There are a few more variables than latitude to examine when discussing these in comparison. But yeah, in terms of DR. Most cameras these days can get the job done just fine.
 
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