Handling NEF properly

[LightCode]

I found Lightroom, simply fantastic, one of the best software I have ever used

there is just one thing that actually can break this feeling: the fact that LR,
as ACR, cannot fully "understand" the Nikon propretary RAWs (NEFS), for
example (if I don't go wrong) it doesn't support the Active D-Lighting that
I can set on my Nikon D3''

the new Camera Profiles give a great improvment, nonetheless NEFs elaborated with Capture NX are usually better

sadly, Capture NX is one of the worse program I ever see!

If/When LR will be able to correctly process the NEF, then it will be THE program...

bye, Stefano

 

[Denis Pagé]

If/When LR will be able to correctly process the NEF, then it will be THE program...

bye, Stefano

Lightroom does process NEFs properly but differently omitting effects set on camera. Nikon won't tell "how to".

Did you read this thread?

 

[LightCode]

Lightroom does process NEFs properly but differently omitting effects set on camera. Nikon won't tell "how to".

this is exactly what I mean and isn't a nice feature!

since in this case you have to start processing from zero

I would really like to keep my in-camera settings (as Capture does)
and eventually tweak the NEF if something is not as I desire

LR is fantastic because is very user-friendly, everything is in the right
place and postprocessing is smooth and efficient, apart that it
"omits effects set on camera"... imho

EDIT: what I don't understand is if Adobe deliberately skip on-camera info
or if Nikon doesn't completely share the NEF structure

 

[Denis Pagé]

I would really like to keep my in-camera settings (as Capture does)
and eventually tweak the NEF if something is not as I desire

You do that with "Develop Presets". You can find many on the Web or create your own to mimic Nikon's processing. I made a list here and look further as others added to it...

 

[DonRicklin]

this is exactly what I mean and isn't a nice feature!

since in this case you have to start processing from zero

I would really like to keep my in-camera settings (as Capture does)
and eventually tweak the NEF if something is not as I desire

LR is fantastic because is very user-friendly, everything is in the right
place and postprocessing is smooth and efficient, apart that it
"omits effects set on camera"... imho

EDIT: what I don't understand is if Adobe deliberately skip on-camera info
or if Nikon doesn't completely share the NEF structure

It is definitely Nikon not sharing the 'Secret sauce'! The th DNG Profiles for your camera will get you closer, though. They are in Beta 1 and we espect a Beta 2 'soon'.

See Camera Profiles and DNG Profile Editor FAQ for more info on this option.

Don

 

[LightCode]

You do that with "Develop Presets". You can find many on the Web or create your own to mimic Nikon's processing. I made a list here and look further as others added to it...

It is definitely Nikon not sharing the 'Secret sauce'! The th DNG Profiles for your camera will get you closer, though. They are in Beta 1 and we espect a Beta 2 'soon'.

See Camera Profiles and DNG Profile Editor FAQ for more info on this option.

Don

OK, so it is not a free - philosophical - choice, it's something more like a forced workaround

yes, I know that camera profiles beta get you closer, let's hope release 2 will improve that

the best would be an agreement between Adobe and Nikon, doesn't they realise that Capture is just ugly?

Ste

 

[Denis Pagé]

...the best would be an agreement between Adobe and Nikon, doesn't they realise that Capture is just ugly?

Ste

What they do realize is that they make money selling NikonCapture. Not so with Lightroom tough... :roll:

 

[johnbeardy]

If you haven't already done so, look at the DNG profile editor. You need to convert a sample image to DNG to use it, but you bake your own profiles which you can then apply to NEFs.

But as a long time Nikon user, if I wanted the Nikon look I'd probably just shoot JPEG or even use Nikon Capture.

Also see http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=28766&view=findpost&p=23'99'

 

[LightCode]

What they do realize is that they make money selling NikonCapture. Not so with Lightroom tough... :roll:

yes, I know it's a stupid question :cheesy:

If you haven't already done so, look at the DNG profile editor. You need to convert a sample image to DNG to use it, but you bake your own profiles which you can then apply to NEFs.

But as a long time Nikon user, if I wanted the Nikon look I'd probably just shoot JPEG or even use Nikon Capture.

I will try DNG profile editor, honestly I never use it, thanks John

having bought a brand new Nikon D3'', yes, I would like to keep Nikon look,
at least as a starting point for my NEF developing...

many thanks for your answers

Ste

 

[johnbeardy]

Having recently gone for a D7'', I wouldn't think of taking the shine off your recent purchase! What I feel is important is what the Nikon captures and what I can then work on, rather than the Nikon look which - to get a bit technical - I always find it a little "soupy" for my taste.

John

 

[LightCode]

I always find it a little "soupy" for my taste.
John

of course everybody has it's own preferences

however it seems to me we are running in circle,
the real fact is that Adobe doesn't have access to the full NEF specifications,
otherwise I believe we surely would have a "Nikon look" option in Lightroom

this is not the case, we'll survive to that :roll:

 

[cdifoto]

Unfortunately the same is true for Canon's CRW/CR2 raw files. It's not just a Nikon thing. I'm sure it's the same way with Pentax, Sony, et al.

 

[DonRicklin]

Unfortunately the same is true for Canon's CRW/CR2 raw files. It's not just a Nikon thing. I'm sure it's the same way with Pentax, Sony, et al.

It is absolutely the same with all makes of Digital Cameras. That is why Adobe is so busy with the new beta Camera Profiles using the DNG Profile Config app.

THey are in Beta 2 (now available) and constantly striving to come closer to the Manufacturer's 'Secret Sauce' versions, despite the lack of info from Nikon, Canon and the like. At least Pentax ( and some others) with their new DSLRs can generate DNGs in camera, which already brings one closer, if you use them!

Don

 

[cdifoto]

It is absolutely the same with all makes of Digital Cameras.

I figured as much. Stands to reason...companies don't like to share the ingredients that make them who they are - at least not when their income is derived from uniqueness.

Having said that, the DNG profiles are doing quite a good job, IMHO. They put Lightroom's IQ a quantum leap ahead of pre-2.' days.

 

[planetf1]

I'm a new DSLR user and having been trying out the trials of Lightroom 2 and Capture NX2 for photos taken with my Nikon D9'.

The interface of lightroom is FAR FAR superior.

However as a newbie I'd like my first-pass jpg conversion, or load into editor to respect the in-camera settings and very specifically support Advanced D-Lighting which DOES appear to improve the image in high contrast situations.

Whilst the same effect can be achieved with LR2 it appears to be manual -- in that I have to choose what I want to apply, rather than LR2 picking up the hints from the NEF metadata.

I could just about live with this with picture settings etc but it's ADL that worries me the most.

I just hope adobe can get this sorted. Until it is I can't see me giving up on NX2 despite it's problems. Perhaps there's some approach with competition law or the EU commission to mandate the camera manufacturers are more open with their specifications

To summarise (and since I don't know LR) what are the aspects of the NEFs that LR2 cannot manage where NX2 does?

 

[Brad Snyder]

What are the aspects of the NEFs that LR2 cannot manage where NX2 does?

Everything except exposure and white balance.

With the camera matching calibration profiles, there's a reasonably successful attempt to match the 8 Nikon Picture Controls for each Nikon DSLR model. These Picture Controls are called Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Landscape, Portrait, D2X Mode 1, D2X Mode 2, D2X Mode 3. The CM profiles will match the Nikon Picture Controls with all Nikon sliders (i.e., Saturation, Tone Compensation, etc.) set to their default values of '. Note that the D2X name is applicable to all Nikon DSLRs, even non-D2X models

BTW, welcome to the forums.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Welcome from me too.

Unfortunately it's down to Nikon - they don't want to share their 'secret recipe' - so Lightroom is not likely to do be able to do that any time soon.

That said, if you turned Active D-Lighting off in camera, Lightroom can do a nice job - it's simply some software processing the same sensor data. The problem with leaving it on, is the camera adjusts the exposure based on what it thinks it's going to do with the processing, so its automatic adjustments can under or over expose your image (the raw data) regardless of your settings.

 

[clee01l]

[quote author=cdifoto link=topic=3849.msg25964#msg25964 date=1224765557]
Unfortunately the same is true for Canon's CRW/CR2 raw files. It's not just a Nikon thing. I'm sure it's the same way with Pentax, Sony, et al.
[/quote]Perhaps I don't understand the problem. My Pentax camera records in the Adobe Open standard DNG format so maybe it is just a Nikon/Canon thing. I could choose the proprietary RAW PEF format, but I see no compelling reason to do this. A few years down the road, I am confident that I will still be able to process images recorded in a DNG format with whatever the current software might be. I don't have that certaintity with a Mfg proprietary (secret?) file format.

In Lightroom, I've experimented with the camera profiles including the Adobe Standard, Camera Standard, Camera Standard Beta and Embedded. Selecting on over another seems to be a matter of personal taste. For me, I really want my RAW file to be just that and looking like a RAW file when I first see it in LR. I import with 'none' as the selected Development Settings and often use a Zeroing Preset to undo all the Lightroom default filters so I can have a fresh eye to apply my own adjustments.

So, what is "Advanced D-Lighting" in a Nikon? Is it the same as the Dynamic Range ISO adjustment function that I have on my Pentax?