for some reason my windows preview with the nef codec look way better then PS

matthewo · Dec 17, 2011

still just not happy, i guess im going to have to figure a way to use the nikon software. i only have nx view right now, but the images just look soo much better in nxview. it really makes no sense.

i just need to figure a way to make lightroom or adobe see the same setting that nx view is seeing. cause some file im unable to make look as good as i they do just opening them in nx view.

Kerbouchard · Dec 17, 2011

matthewo said:
still just not happy, i guess im going to have to figure a way to use the nikon software. i only have nx view right now, but the images just look soo much better in nxview. it really makes no sense.

What doesn't make sense? A RAW file is an unprocessed file. That's why it's called RAW. If you want a processed file, shoot JPEG. Also, there is always the best of both worlds, which is RAW +JPEG. Memory is cheap now and the JPEG files aren't that big. You can use the JPEG file for now, and when you are more experienced in photoshop you can go back and edit the RAW files that you like...

i just need to figure a way to make lightroom or adobe see the same setting that nx view is seeing. cause some file im unable to make look as good as i they do just opening them in nx view.

The only way to make adobe see the same settings that NX View is seeing is to shoot JPEG so that the settings are actually applied to the file. Adobe does however have some presets that may be able to mimick them that you could set as your default.

matthewo · Dec 18, 2011

The only thing i could think is active d lighting. One picture for example i cannot get to look right. There is a bronze statue that is under exposed in lightroom, but looks good in nxview. Problem is the sky looks good but if exposed more would wash out.

I guess i will just use nxview for some files.

matthewo · Dec 18, 2011

here is something i read from another place, and i think its pretty much my problem exactly

"You're missing my point here.
The point I was trying to make is that when you have ADL turned on, the histograms on the camera look great (and so do the pictures), however, when imported into Lightroom, this camera control is not known to Lightroom so it put's it as Elliot mentions, as the sensor sees it.
If I didn't have ADL turned on, I would of noticed that the histograms were not correct, therefore done something about it. However, the histograms, that took into consideration the ADL effect, made the pictures look great, which they are.......when viewed in NX2.
Oliver, this is what I got confussed with. I incorrectly assumed it would change the raw data, however, it seems that it writes a little extra raw data that Lightroom discards. Only Nikon software can process this data."

what i need to do is basically turn off all the camera settings if shooting in raw, to try and get the best possible raw image. then once i do the post processing i can really make it look how i want. better then processing on top of processing.

also like to add that ADL does affect the raw file not the the way of the actual d lighting but it does it because it will underexpose the image maybe 1/2 stop in the actual raw file, then the active d lighting "data" will then add some lighting to the shadows therefor not overexposing brights like the sky. now i see why when im opening it in LR it becomes a real PITA to get right on multiple images, deffently when i have ADL set to auto on the camera.

i am happy i figured this out. there are a bunch of little things to learn, just takes some time to understand them...

ok i guess the only other question is. is exposure compensation actually burnt into the raw file or just another one of these add ons that is only read by the nikon software? i also understand your saying to shoot in raw and jpg, then i can pick what i like more, but i would rather not have to deal with twice as many files, some days i will end up with 250+ images i wouldnt want 500 to have to delete 90% of them. also in reality i need to be getting the raw file correct. the least amount of processing is always going to result in the cleanest image. i would like to beable to get it as close to perfect on the camera as possible and do minimal tweaking with software later. i would rather start now at getting RAW perfect, then having to deal with raw and jpg. i think the the long run i will be better off. you know its hard to teach an old dog that is set in their ways new tricks(basically switching styles later on once im already set in my ways.)

also in reality, if shot good without ADL on, and i need to tweak the darks a little without over exposing the sky, i can use the highlights/lights/darks/shadows in lightroom to tweak it to do basically what ADL does when needed.

correct me if im wrong, but i think im getting the basics here.

Kerbouchard · Dec 18, 2011

Yes, if you want your preview image to aproximate what the RAW file will look like, you will need to turn the contrast down, turn sharpening down, turn off active lighting, and turn off noise reduction.

Rephargotohp · Dec 18, 2011

You actually can get all the Nikon style profiles in Lightroom,
Go to the develop module and then all the way down to Camera Calibration and then the Profile and drop down the list, You will see all of the Nikon profiles for your specific Camera ( they are brand and camera specific, they will recognize the camera in the file you are working on) You can then choose to use the Nikon profiles and your image will look like the Capture NX look instead of the Adobe standard.

If the camera profiles are not in the drop down, you can download camera profiles fro lightroom from Adobe

matthewo · Dec 18, 2011

i see my camera profiles in there, but i have tweaked my profiles in the camera, so i dont think the tweaks i have made to the profiles actually get them all. for example. i changed standard to a bit more saturation and one up on brightness and maxed out the sharpness. but i think LR only has the default profiles on the camera. also does this have any effect on ADL

matthewo · Dec 18, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Yes, if you want your preview image to aproximate what the RAW file will look like, you will need to turn the contrast down, turn sharpening down, turn off active lighting, and turn off noise reduction.

when you say turn down these things, put them at default? i think the camera profile standard has defaults or the middle for contrast and brightning, but for sharpening its just 1-9 would the default or middle just be 5?

matthewo · Dec 18, 2011

just took a few sample pictures with everything in the camera turned to off. the preview now looks exactly as it is when i import it into photoshop. great. also it seems like the picture look very true to life. im not sure why the camera defaults to having all this stuff on. maybe it just works better for the "auto" shooter who is using the kit lens. but im using a higher end 24-70, and i think with manual controls the cameras settings where just hendering its performance.

then again, i am using a d5100 a somewhat entry level dslr so it probably caters more towards the individual that will be doing limited processing and just wants the photos to "look good" as shot