Skin tones and D-lux 4

[Mauribix]

Hi guys,
I'm just back from NYC, and actually I bought a Dlux4 as a backup camera for my M8 while I was there.
I'm really happy with the camera now, but I'm not sure everything I'm doing is correct since I found the skin tones of the raw files to be always too reddish.
So, I'm asking to those of you who already know this camera, what kind of profiles do you use? Or what settings?
I'm using both Lightroom and C1, but while in C1 files the red shift of the skin tones is "softer", it's still visible anyway.
Am I supposed to do something that I'm ignoring to do?

Thanks a lot

[regedit]

My opinion is that internal conversion engine is the best, so I use JPEG. Anyway, should be just my non-pro opinion.

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by regedit

My opinion is that internal conversion engine is the best, so I use JPEG. Anyway, should be just my non-pro opinion.

I've looked at several (many) images from the D-L4 both JPEG & RAW and I find the JPEGs to be much nicer without any work. I was actually put off the camera after looking at the RAW files is produces but then came to the conclusion that IF I bought one I'd probably only use it for JPEGs.

[stuny]

Shootist -

I arrived at pretty much the same conclusion with my D2, which shares DNA with the D-Lux-4. I can't recall when I last used it in RAW.

[cfc247]

Maurizio,

I've had the same encounter with my DL4 in respect to skin tones. I've shot back and forth between RWL and Jpeg since last year and find the RWL files almost impossible to "fix." Even the Jpegs, in ISO 800 or above, gets very reddish and pasty. Hence, even with the various quirks, I just ordered the Sigma DP2 solely for the IQ and color palette (which is more greenish), which some people including myself, think most resembles the Leica tones. Don't know if I'll end up keeping the DL4. I might have it around for the HD video, macro and wide angle, while the DP2 will serve as the primary backup for my M8.

[griffster]

Have you updated the firmware? It has a white balance fix. Could that solve this issue?

[Mauribix]

Originally Posted by griffster

Have you updated the firmware? It has a white balance fix. Could that solve this issue?

Yes I did it suddenly after I got it.

BTW thanks to many here who replied to this thread... Unfortunately I much prefere to use RAW files as to get the maximum resolution out of the camera.
I found the NR to be too obtrusive with this camera, it's great for small prints, but not for larger ones.

Anyway I'm working on a new colour profile for C1... I will keep you up to date guys.

Cheers,

Maurizio

[USA road racer]

I always use the WB setting to set up correctly for skin tones. I have a WB device by Colorright that works PERFECTLY with the camera. Even so, you can always set the WB prior to any shots for your current lighting situation. To get truly correct color, use the custom WB setting first & you will be a happy camper. The auto WB setting is sometimes ok but not always.

[ceflynn]

Is this the device you used?:

ColorRight Review - Custom White Balance Gets Easy Photography Bay | Digital Camera Reviews, News and Resources

[Pointcolville]

I've noticed the red tint as well, and that it isn't readily fixed with a WB adjustment - and that lens flare shows up magenta. Perhaps the lens coating rather than WB issue? I wonder if the LX3 has the same characteristic.

[wilfredo]

Originally Posted by Mauribix

Yes I did it suddenly after I got it.

BTW thanks to many here who replied to this thread... Unfortunately I much prefere to use RAW files as to get the maximum resolution out of the camera.
I found the NR to be too obtrusive with this camera, it's great for small prints, but not for larger ones.

Anyway I'm working on a new colour profile for C1... I will keep you up to date guys.

Cheers,

Maurizio

Good luck with that. I too prefer RAW and hardly ever shoot JPEG with any of my cameras. Please keep us posted.