Richard D Posted December 17, 2008 Share #1 Posted December 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) When I adjust the contrast, sharpness and noise reduction settings in the camera's record menu, does that affect only jpegs or does it also affect raw images as well? Thanks, Rich. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 Hi Richard D, Take a look here D-Lux 4 and sharpness, noise settings?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Richard D Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share #2 Posted December 17, 2008 Well, something told me you guys were gonna make me do MY OWN footwork...:-) So I did some shooting this morning, and yes, the settings apply to both jpeg and .rwl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard D Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted December 17, 2008 Well, something told me you guys were gonna make me do MY OWN footwork...:-)So I did some shooting this morning, and yes, the settings apply to both jpeg and .rwl. But then this begs the question: Am I better off sharpening and noise-reducing raw images in the camera (doubtful) or later, in the software?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted December 17, 2008 Share #4 Posted December 17, 2008 But then this begs the question: Am I better off sharpening and noise-reducing raw images in the camera (doubtful) or later, in the software?? Generally speaking, later. In fact, if you end up shooting exclusively RAW, or mostly RAW, I would suggest using very conservative settings for noise reduction and sharpening in the camera. Reason for this is pretty straightforward: Your computer has exponentially more processing power than your camera, so the algorithms for sharpening and/or noise reduction found in programs like Photoshop, Noise Ninja, Aperture, the Nik plugins, etc. tend to be much more powerful and less destructive to your image. Part of this decision is also taste. I like a little bit of grain in my images (I still shoot a lot of film, mostly ISO 400 +), so a bit of noise in a digital image, if rendered attractively, is not the turn off to me it is to many people. I much prefer this over the smudging that often occurs with overly aggressive in-camera noise reduction. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard D Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted December 17, 2008 Thanks Jeff, as always. I'll be shooting mostly raw, as I am discovering that I do enjoy manipulating the images to my own taste. And I agree that grain/noise needn't always be a liability, especially in b&w images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted December 17, 2008 Share #6 Posted December 17, 2008 Thanks Jeff, as always. I'll be shooting mostly raw, as I am discovering that I do enjoy manipulating the images to my own taste. And I agree that grain/noise needn't always be a liability, especially in b&w images. I agree. Talking about the characteristics of noise is a bit like talking about the attractiveness of bokeh --- incredibly subjective. But with that in mind, I like the noise/grain "signature" of the D-Lux 4. I think it's very filmlike up to ISO 800, potentially okay at 1600 (if black and white), and completely overpowering and unusable at 3200. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted December 18, 2008 Share #7 Posted December 18, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, something told me you guys were gonna make me do MY OWN footwork...:-)So I did some shooting this morning, and yes, the settings apply to both jpeg and .rwl. I don't see how that is possible. RAW data is RAW data. If it does then the .rwl file you are getting from the D-L4 is not really RAW data. It is a processed file. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nryn Posted December 18, 2008 Share #8 Posted December 18, 2008 I think, Shootist, that this camera in particular has challenged the conventional meaning of RAW data. The camera, as well-discussed elsewhere, performs lens correction adjustments on the RAW data. Technically, then, the RAW data is processed. Whether or not it does any other adjustments is for someone more concerned about pixel peeping than myself to figure out. I assume it doesn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard D Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted December 18, 2008 I don't see how that is possible. RAW data is RAW data.If it does then the .rwl file you are getting from the D-L4 is not really RAW data. It is a processed file. Now that I look at the images again, I'm no longer certain there really is a difference in the raws. In the jpegs it's obvious of course; in the raws it is subtle. So subtle that I'm not certain I was rigorous enough in controlling the circumstances. I'll do it again tomorrow under more controlled conditions. It's never easy admitting you're an idiot..........:-( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard D Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share #10 Posted December 18, 2008 Rather than simply shooting images of co-workers as I did yesterday, I approached it much more scientifically this morning. In .RWL images there is no difference no matter how I adjust NR, saturation, sharpness or contrast levels. I'm learning, but the process is like wading through mashed potatoes. I'm still waiting for the steep part of the sine wave. Let me add that I finally did something last night that has been a big help- I downloaded the Panasonic version of the instruction booklet. It is so much more complete and comprehensible. I can't even imagine why the Leica manual is such a mess by comparison. Thanks to Jeff, shootist, etherfarm for the advice and insights. Rich. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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