D Lux 5 Reddish Tinge

[Edwin Ho]

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Hi,

 

I bought a used D Lux 5 two days ago; still bearing a version 1.0 firmware. When shot with AWB, pictures tend to be reddish (skin tone in partifular). I need your advice and suggestion how I can fix this.

 

It was quite apparent that my wife took notice immediately as compared with shots taken with the old Canon IXUS 860IS.

 

I welcome any advice or suggestion how I can fix this. Does upgrading to firmware 2.0 help? Or perhaps changing film mode from Standard to something else.

[wda]

Hi Edwin, this is unusual provided the camera isn't picking up any colour contamination from your shooting environment. If you are comfortable shooting Raw capture, try that of a shot which included a grey card, preferably one designed for accurate colour shooting. Failing that any object which includes spectrally neutral colour, like a chromium tap fitting or pure white paint. Then process the file in Lightroom, which is normally available with a D-Lux 5 purchase, and use the white balance sampler to correct the balance. It will even show you the RGB values which should be very nearly equal in value on a grey card.

 

Having said that, it is odd that AWB doesn't give a good approximation of colour fidelity. Mine does. Perhaps a previous owner has fiddled with colour temperature settings; unlikely, but possible. Why not consult the dealer about the issue? If there is a fault, he should sort out a remedy for you.

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[Edwin Ho]

Hi David,

 

Thank you for the prompt response. You may be right, that the shots I took were picking up the reds and orange from T-shirts. Some other shots were picking up reflections from the piano timber, all under tungsten lighting. I shall give it another go the next few days, perhaps under different lighting situation. I own an M9 and may just test D Lux 5 with the M9 as a reference.

 

I normally shoot in RAW and process it via Lightroom. Just thought the above was a bit strange. I was putting the D Lux 5 through a test on Auto mode with flash, AWB in Jpeg more for wife who may use the camera too.

 

I don't think the previous owner had fiddled with the WB. I am considering adjusting the WB myself perhaps one or two steps towards "blue". Comments are welcome.

 

Anyway thanks again David

[Edwin Ho]

Hi David,

 

I have done further testsand happy to report:

 

In Auto mode, built-in flash is not adequate to "kill" ambient tungsten light.

Tried it on P mode and it works ok to "kill" ambient tungsten, hence no reddish tinge.

 

I do own a small Olympus S20 auto flash, works fine with D Lux 5 in P mode, giving a bit more power that the built in flash.

 

I typically shoot at ISO 400, f5.6 or f4 at 1/250 sec M mode with Olympus S20 auto flash (this is not a TTL flash). This works fine.

 

Non-flash shots with AWB in tungsten light works fine. This is about the same as a customised WB shot with white/grey card. So the AWB seems ok.

 

Conclusion - avoid using Auto mode with flash in tungsten light; use P mode instead.

 

Others may have a different experience which worked fine for them.

[wda]

Hi Edwin,

 

I am pleased that you have solved the problem. The camera is most dependable and capable, used sensibly and within its small sensor limitations. I always prefer to use ambient light indoors, to capture the atmosphere as it is. If colour casts are not to my liking, it is so easy to make a small adjustment to colour in LR. It is also good to have a simple fool-proof method you can fall back on if under pressure.

[Edwin Ho]

Hi David,

 

I am like you shooting RAW almost all the time, partly because I have LR3 as I am also using an M9.

 

Yes it is good to have sorted out the issue as there are times when flash are needed. Personally, I rather shoot without flash to "capture the mood".

 

You are correct in suggesting in your earlier post that I picked up colours from the environment - my wife wearing a red blouse and I was shooting in Tungsten lighting in Auto mode with built in flash. However, changing to P mode,the shutter speed was faster, hence letting in less ambient light that added the reddish tinge.

 

David, happy shooting. I will be off to Dubai on 14 Dec will test out this very fine compact.

LIke all new gearsit takes a little while to get to know it and this forum is a great place to share our knowledge/experience.

[Edwin Ho]

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I have just discovered that the reddish tint can be corrected via MENU - SETUP - LCD display.

 

Hope this will be helpful to those who may experience similar problem

 

IMO the red was a little too strong and affecting skin tone.

 

This information was not provided in the user manual but I chanced upon it while scrolling through the menu.

 

I only have this camera for few days and trying to learn it features.

 

It seems like that I may have to purchase Alexander White's "Photographer's Guide to the Lecia D Lux 5".

[xalo]

Hi Edwin,

 

Here and in your other thread I read that you are using iso 400 and flash. If you are using flash as adjustable light source, I can only recommend to consider a lower iso setting. The one stop difference to iso 200 makes for a leap in image quality, in my view. Even 250 and 320 appear much less mushy to me than 400 and hold a wider dynamic range. As usual, YMMV...

 

Best,

Alexander

 

P.S.: Enjoy your trip!

[Edwin Ho]

Hi Edwin,

 

Here and in your other thread I read that you are using iso 400 and flash. If you are using flash as adjustable light source, I can only recommend to consider a lower iso setting. The one stop difference to iso 200 makes for a leap in image quality, in my view. Even 250 and 320 appear much less mushy to me than 400 and hold a wider dynamic range. As usual, YMMV...

 

Best,

Alexander

 

P.S.: Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for your suggestion, I shall give it try.

[NZDavid]

It is also worth varying the mode settings -- normal, dynamic, smooth, nature, etc. These make a big difference, especially with skin tones. M9 AWB also varies and is not always accurate.