[Rufus]

Now here's a curious one.

My 10D is set to minimum contrast, yet I still get very contrasty images. I actually have to reduce contrast further prior to printing.

Now is that odd or what?

No doubt there is a simple explanation, but at present it eludes me.

[adam]

Odd! - not that I know what to do though..
What if you take the picture in RAW, then adjust the contrast on the computer, is it still contrasty?

[Rufus]

Yes. I can decrease it to an acceptable level, but very high contrast is a real prob.
Here is an adjusted and shrunken example of setting minimum contrast:

[shuttertalk]

Are you shooting in RAW or JPEG? I assume in JPEG because settings wouldn't affect RAW images...

Could you perhaps take two pics - one low and one high contrast and post up to compare?

Maybe it's the lens?

[Rufus]

Ok. Prepare to be wierded out.......

It happens in jpg AND raw!!

The picture you see above is a raw-jpg conversion. In capture one, the contrast setting is at MINIMUM.

This has happened in strong sunlight, with my 24-85, 28-105 and 17-35.

I'm at a loss to explain it.

[adam]

Strange :| Maybe it's the camera..
Has it always been like this?

and also, I better ask this now, before this goes any further.
What exactly is contrast?

[Rufus]

Hmm, how shall I define it clearly.....

It's the difference between light and dark..... The graduation between one and the other. Over contrast looks hard, under contrast looks grey.

Hang on, I'll see if I can find a glossary definition,

(Rummage, dig, mutter.........)

Aha!!!

This'll do......

"the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print"

[Cailean]

It's the difference between light and dark..... The graduation between one and the other. Over contrast looks hard, under contrast looks grey.

so basically the leaves in the foreground of your sample photo should be lighter without the middle and background getting washed out? Am I close?

[Rufus]

Essentially, yes.

[shuttertalk]

It happens in jpg AND raw!!

Yeah, like I said previously, the settings in RAW won't make a difference coz it's RAW sensor data. But if it's jpg too...


Or maybe it's just like that due to the harsh sunlight? Could it be related?

[Rufus]

Yes, I understand your point. There may be a connection, but I'm jiggered if I can find a cure.

In raw, the contrast in C1 is right down. In jpg the camera setting are right down.