Iso Sensitivity; Image Properties/Contrast, Sharpness, Color Saturation - Leica M8 Instructions Manual

ISO sensitivity

In traditional photography, the choice of the ISO value
reflects the light sensitivity of the film used. Higher
speed films allow faster shutter speeds and/or small-
er apertures and vice versa, at the same brightness.
The ISO setting on the LEICA M8 also allows the shut-
ter speed/aperture value to be adjusted to meet the
requirements of the relevant situation, in five steps.
Optimum reproduction quality is achieved by using the
lowest setting, ISO 160. The higher sensitivities ISO
320, 640, 1250 and 2500 result in increasing "picture
noise". This effect can be compared to the "graining"
that occurs with highly sensitive films.
Setting the function
1. In the picture parameters menu (see p. 80/93)
select ISO (5.2.1), and
2. in the associated sub-menu select the desired film
speed.
100 / Comprehensive instructions/Basic picture settings
Image properties/Contrast, sharpness,
color saturation
One of the many advantages of electronic photogra-
phy over traditional photography is that it is very easy
to change critical properties of a picture. While photo-
graphic software – after recording and transfer to a
computer – provides great scope for doing this, the
LEICA M8 itself allows you to influence three of the
most important picture properties even before taking
the picture:
• The contrast, i.e. the difference between light and
dark sections of the image, determines whether an
image has a more "flat" or "brilliant" effect. As a
consequence, the contrast can be influenced by
increasing or reducing this difference, i.e. by lighter
reproduction of light sections of the image and
darker reproduction of dark sections.
• Sharp reproduction – at least of the main subject –
using the correct distance setting is a prerequisite
for a successfully picture. In turn, the impression of
sharpness of a picture is to a great extent deter-
mined by the edge sharpness, i.e. by how small the
transition area between light and dark is at edges in
the picture. The impression of sharpness can thus
be changed by expanding or reducing these areas.
• The color saturation determines whether the colors
in the picture tend to appear as "pale" and pastel-
like or "bright" and colorful. While the lighting and
weather conditions (hazy/clear) are given as condi-
tions for the picture, there is definite scope for
influencing the reproduction here.
All three picture properties can be adjusted – inde-
pendently – to five different levels using the menu
control, so that you can set the optimum values for
any situation and lighting conditions. In the case of
Color Saturation, Black+White can also be selected
as a sixth option.
Note:
If the file format DNG is specified, these settings have
no effect as in this case the image data is always
saved in its original form (changes must be made later
on the computer).
Setting the functions
1. In the main menu (see p. 80/93) select Sharpen-
ing (5.1.4), or Color Saturation (5.1.5), or Contrast
(5.1.6), and
2. in the respective sub-menu select the desired level
(Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium high,
High).