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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JDFlood" data-source="post: 224039" data-attributes="member: 11653">Now I think I know where some of you are coming from. To me that is the film paradigm: "I have to choose between the sunset or the  foreground." With a D600 or D800 (HDR function does not do RAW) , I think you are leaving a HUGE part of the value of the camera on the table unless you post process (enhance, not fix). There are 4 or 5 fstops of additional info in the photo when you capture it optimally. But you have to post process to use that information. The automatic functions will attempt get the maximum data collected, so not to loose any highlights (if you keep your eye on the blinkie screen)... So it will be a good photo with as much info as possible, this is what I shoot for... and auto is really good at. This is why I think the auto functions work so well. However, you are not going to perceive it as working so well if you are making strong highlight or low light choices... then the camera is never going to make those like you would. But, it isn't trying to.If you adjust away from  the "optimal exposure", then the camera is not going to get the maximum data. So say you set it so the sunset looks perfect and foreground black, you have made a "this versus that" (film) choice and are taking a sub optimal photo because you are loosing details from the lowlights. If you take what I am calling the "optimal" photo... you capture the maximum detail, then you can have both (the sunset and foreground) in post processing, or exactly what balance you want. You are then getting the full capability of the camera. Post processing isn't chemicals, and a dark lab anymore. You can do all of the adjustments I am talking about in about the same amount of time it takes to upload your photos... after all, ya got the computer. All this can be done on Importation, then you can just check and fine tune or not.   I think 30 or 40% of the "goodness" of my D800 comes from the valued derived through workflow. To me "getting it right in the camera" is to optimally get ALL the information possible so I have the best possible photo when done (like a perfect negative). This means to get the optimal exposure that will allow the perfect photo to come out in post processing, which is midway between washed out highlights and too dark lowlights... I think this is the crux of why I think the auto functions are so good; they can nail the "optimal photo / negative" almost every time. I want no trade-offs. It works really well for that. JD</blockquote>

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