Picture Properties / Contrast, Sharpness, Color Saturation - Leica M Instruction Manual

Note:
The functions and settings described in the next two sections refer
exclusively to pictures in one of the JPEG formats. If one of the two
DNG formats is specified, these settings have no effect, as in this
case the picture data is always saved in its original form.
pICTURE pROpERTIES / CONTRAST, ShARpNESS, COLOR
SATURATION
In digital photography, key picture properties can be changed very
easily. While photographic software – after recording and transfer to a
computer – provides great scope for doing this, the Leica M 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 areas,
determines whether a picture has a more "matt" or "glossy" 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
determined by the sharpness of the edges, i.e. by how small the
transition area between light and dark is at the 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
conditions for the picture, there is definite scope for influencing the
reproduction.
• All three picture properties can be adjusted – independently - to
five different levels using the menu, so that you can set the
optimum values for any situation, i.e. the prevailing lighting
conditions.
Setting the functions
1. In the main menu (see p. 154/246) select
, or
Saturation Contrast
2. Select the desired setting in the sub-menu.
169
,
Sharpness
(all on page 2, section), and
IMAGE