I think I figured out the problem I had with the Nikon D100. I believe that being use to the way that Canon cameras let you know the flash is ready, I was misreading the display and firing off shots when the Nikon flash wasn't fully charged, so I was getting partial light. Anyway, this shot was about 2.5 stops underexposed. Damn I love shooting in RAW. Gives you a chance to rescue a shot you don't have a chance of getting back any other way. Weeee. :) Oh yea, this one is for Misha too ... the 2 of the Hardkiss Sisters. :) -=>Donald

heh... working with 12 bit images is a lot better than working on 8bit ones... i'm afraid that photoshop has some limitations on 16bit images... and generally is less difficult to remove grain and long exposure effects...

Thanx, Donald. They seem well exposed to me. What's the problem? I've looked around some for information on the actual dynamic range of CCD or CMOS sensors. It is surprisingly difficult to find. As near as I can tell, CCD sensors have about one to two stops LESS dynamic range than B&W film. The RAW mode just retains the full resolution of the A/D converter, and doesn't clip off (as much) of the highlights and shadows. [Which is a good thing, as you've shown here.] Is there a histogram mode on the camera; where you could shoot in RAW, adjust levels in the camera, then convert to un-RAW? Still, memory is cheap. Better to not throw away any information prematurely. Still, at 2.5 stops under I'm surprised you are not running up against the noise floor of the CCD sensor?

Misha - DSLRs have much better noise cancellation than consumer digital cameras. There were a few hot pixels I had to fix, but nothing serious. I also haven't seen any numbers, but the dynamic range of CCD and CMOS sensors does indeed look to be sort of in the middle between slide and print film. Just from my non-scientific shooting, I'd say that when you shoot in jpeg or tiff mode you are much more towards the slide side and in RAW modes it's more towards the print film side. Both the D100 and 10D will display the histogram of a shot if you want, but you can't do any adjustments of an image in camera. What you can do is take a shot, check your histogram, adjust your camera settings and retake the shot if you want. That immediate feedback is great. And memory is only cheap unless you get ambitious. Sheesh .. you see the cost of the 4GB Compactflash cards? :) -=>Donald

Oh yea, here is a the original shot. Did nothing to it but load it in, rotate it is 90 Deg CCW, convert it to 8bits/channel and sRGB workspace, resized it from 3008x2000 to 425x640 and saved as JPEG. I will say that this one came out better than a couple of the others I tried to pull out of bad exposure. One was only (as far as the RAW software showed) about 1.75 stops underexposed, yet it looked really noisy when I converted it out. Not sure at this point what the difference between the two is or why this one, which was much more underexposed, came out so much better. Will eventually figure it out; I hope. Then again, I hope I never need to worry about being that underexposed again. :) -=>Donald

Raw Mode..... just sounds so exciting when you say it that way Donald.... ;~)

WOOOOF!!! :)

How come Donald never woofs at Me? I asked about Raw Images, last Week...I didn't get one woof. Now I see You mention about "firing off early, Donald" ...well, I have this problem too...and I ain't even surrounded by Raw Images....or the Hard Case Hard Kiss Sisters...funny, I wuz just talking about Premature Eruptions, on Volcanos. Are You enjoying Your New Camera Donald....I see You have a real big Zoooooooooooooooooooooooom Lens sigh ...I look up to You Donald...please help Me..I shot in the RAW the other Morning....nearly froze to Death. You keep warm now Donald....give My Love to the Hard Case Hard Kiss Sisters sigh and a wooooooooooof for You!

lol! amazing how you got this back Donald- as far as hoping to never be underexposed again- well, that may be disappointing to a couple of your fans @Tedz -keep up the raw shooting ...snuggles for warmth:]

Tedz, my friend, in a sea of odd and unique personalities here you still manage to stand out like a giant, strange, upside down, floating iceberg thingie with purple stripes and a few gold highlights. Just thought I'd mention that. As for keeping warm ... it's all about the socks. Nice, warm comfy socks. Oh, and where you wear those socks - but that's a discussion for another day. Cyn - Well yes, but I left being overexposed as an option. :D Zoinks Yea, it is amazing; but less from my skill and more to just the raw mode loading options and having 12-bits/channel of info to work with instead of 8-bits. -=>D

Donald, this is one of the nicest thing's anyone has ever said about me....as I examine Myself in the Mirror...to see if it does indeed resemble an Iceberg...yep..it would sink the Titanic...and who told You it was Purple with Gold Highlights? And in case You are interested in some Socks *snuggles for warmth* You can certainly have mine. This here Picture...is going to be the Emblem for the New Zealand Sheep Olympics, which will be held in Foxton next Month, we have heaps of Wool and Pretty Sheep too...if You would ever like to come and stay with Me Donald...bring Your Two Hard Case Hard Kiss Sisters...Ewe and I could have Fun...if You need any Wool Products...just let Me know Donald...perhaps a nice Knitted Canon Camera Bag...probably take 2 extra Skeins of Wool just to cover Your Zoooooooooooooooooom Lens...*sigh*...which is much bigger than mine...but ..I am sure mine is Prettier. Thanks for being My Friend Donald. Viz: Manly Embrace...no..not patting His Bottom...just checking the Size of His Wallet. Ta ta for now, other G/f's to natter to. Hugz :)

here Tedz, you dropped this strawberry :] & those stretchy rings look awfully familiar...

closes eyes and repeats like a mantra I don't wanna know...I don't wanna know.

blush thanx for Yrrebwarts Cynlee sigh...Yes, no doubt the Woolen Hoops look familar...I am sure You have seen "The Lord of the Rings" Zooooooooooooooooooom! What doncha wanna know Donald??? I got a better Mantra... I wish I wuz a Fly on the Wall I wish I wuz a Fly on the Wall I wish I wuz a Fly on the Wall *I wish I wuz .... SPLATT .....