when i shoot volume with a dSLR (action/sports), meaning when i'm sensitive to the time it takes to get thru post-processing, i don't ETTR. if i add 1/3-2/3 stop EC, and the ambient light is variable and even moderately contrasty, i'll clip highlights on a unacceptably large # of shots. which will lead to a lot more time in PP trying to tame white uniforms, etc.
for me, ETTR is not so practically applicable. if i'm at the limit of my camera's iso capability, say on a really dark HS soccer field, and i add some EC to drive the histogram rightward, i have conflicting outcomes. yes, i may get less noise but then i also get slower shutter speeds and more motion blur. often i'll go with the higher s/s and an exposure less driven to the right to avoid motion blur, at the expense of some noise. i'll just use noise reduction software to deal with it. better to have some noise than motion blur, for this purpose.
thing is, in prints digi noise is much less apparent. i think fear of noise is exaggerated from the tendency to pixel peep versus looking at finished prints.
and i agree with pickett. this is all very camera-dependent.
