Question 20
Only raw software can extract the extra dynamic range in your raw files
ANSWER (A) Score ½ (B) Score 1 The correct answer is (B). It’s true that the extended dynamic range of a raw file is one of its chief advantages, but it’s worth pointing out that many cameras offer similar tools, though some are more sophisticated than others. Sony’s DRO system attempts to balance up shadows and highlights while it’s processing images in-camera; and Nikon’s Active D-Lighting system adjusts the exposure to capture highlights, then lifts the shadows during JPEG processing. Fujifilm has a more sophisticated 200% and 400% dynamic range expansion mode, which appears to capture more shadow and highlight detail in the raw files, not just the JPEGs, as well as shadow and highlight tone adjustment, which compresses shadow and highlight tones in the processed JPEGs. If you use both features in-camera, it’s possible to achieve in-camera dynamic range so good that you’re unlikely to improve on it significantly by shooting raw files.