Digilux 2 raw question

[grispie]

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Hi,

 

I'm a newcomer here. Although i do have a D2 for quite a while already. But i recently revived it :-) 

since i like shooting with it so much. 

 

I read in another post (& experienced myself) that for color images, there is not much advantage (if any) to shoot raw. 

The jpegs are really nice & i can rapidly take 3 images in lowlight conditions to make sure i have a sharp one.

 

But i wonder with B&W. 

I like the b&w jpegs out of camera. especially iso 200. But sometimes one wants to convert a color image to a B&W one. You don't always know upfront.

 

I'd figure this would be best with color images taken in raw & doing the conversion in post?

Would that be a reason to use raw, or do you think the jpegs can be pretty much converted as good as the raw files? 

I will certainly try out, but maybe someone is already more experienced with the b&w conversions from the D2.

 

thank you!

christophe

 

 

[elgenper]

....

I read in another post (& experienced myself) that for color images, there is not much advantage (if any) to shoot raw. 

The jpegs are really nice & i can rapidly take 3 images in lowlight conditions to make sure i have a sharp one.

 

.....

Well, I´d say it´s ALWAYS advantageous to shoot raw, if possible.  A raw file contains far more information than the jpeg one, and so is much more malleable in PP.

 

But with the D2, the key words are "if possible".  It takes almost ten seconds for the camera to store a raw file and be ready for the next shot.  For static subjects, that´s no big problem, you just need some patience.  But for live subjects, and their fleeting expressions, this is extremely frustrating.

 

Luckily, the D2 had one of the best built-in jpeg engine of all cameras I´ve tried, so if one just got the exposure right, the jpegs were usually quite good right out of the camera, both in colour and B/W.  So, most of us did use jpeg just because we jolly well HAD to if we wanted a responsive camera.  And, most of the time, we got away with it...

Edited September 17, 2015 by elgenper

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[wda]

I would always recommend capturing Raw data unless the writing time is unacceptably long for some subject. With landscapes, time is seldom an issue.

[ChrisRL]

Agreed. I have mine set to Fine JPEG and RAW most of the time, and have to content myself with the card read times in between shots. However, even though I do shoot people mostly these days, I have had pretty extensive experience with medium and large

format portraiture and so it doesn't necessarily drive me as crazy as it might a lot of 35mm folk. When I get that itch though, I bring out my trusty SL2MOT, dust it off, power it up and have at it... : )

[grispie]

thanks for the comments.

For the kind of things i like to photograph, i can live with the wait. If not, indeed i'll switch to jpeg.

I noticed shooting raw also helps me think more upfront.

 

the cam makes me longing for an X as a companion.. :-) 

But thats a different story..

 

If anyone else has more b&w workprocesses to share, welcome!

thks

chr

[wda]

chr, consider the X1 as an affordable companion. I have both although I use the X1 rather more nowadays than the D2. However my first replacement batteries have reignited interest in the Digilux.

[grispie]

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chr, consider the X1 as an affordable companion. I have both although I use the X1 rather more nowadays than the D2. However my first replacement batteries have reignited interest in the Digilux.

 

you shouldn't say those things David. 

But since the pentax FF is postponed again & since i buy something for myself each christmas. hm

I might rather go for the X though.  I just love shallow dof.. 

I looked at your pictures with it & kind of felt that the rendering is similar to the digilux2. Or is my mind just playing games here..? 

[wda]

Compression of image files can mask significant differences. The X1 has greater clarity than the D2; but the D2 has a wonderful lens which gives unique character on the smaller 5mp sensor. Any similarity in rendering is a tribute to Leica who strive to produce consistency between different Leica models, even those co-produced with Panasonic.

[grispie]

I have a pentax MX1 as well. A very nice compact with a similar feel to it when using it in the field (except that pentax opted for a zoomknob instead of a zoomring..). But regardless still a beautiful tool. It has a slightly smaller sensor than the D2 & 12mp.  

 

When comparing images, i noticed the D2 is far more capable in resolving details when it comes to shooting a landscape or larger scene e.g.

I guess it must be that lens.  the mx1 also shows more distortion in wide angle than the D2.  When i think of it, i'd like to put the D2 lens on the modern processing of the mx1 :-)  

The mx1 is small when the lens is retracted, so i can always have it with me. The D2 will get the preference when i go for a stroll..

Just a thought.. :-)

[dhsimmonds]

Hi,

 

I'm a newcomer here. Although i do have a D2 for quite a while already. But i recently revived it :-) 

since i like shooting with it so much. 

 

I read in another post (& experienced myself) that for color images, there is not much advantage (if any) to shoot raw. 

The jpegs are really nice & i can rapidly take 3 images in lowlight conditions to make sure i have a sharp one.

 

But i wonder with B&W. 

I like the b&w jpegs out of camera. especially iso 200. But sometimes one wants to convert a color image to a B&W one. You don't always know upfront.

 

I'd figure this would be best with color images taken in raw & doing the conversion in post?

Would that be a reason to use raw, or do you think the jpegs can be pretty much converted as good as the raw files? 

I will certainly try out, but maybe someone is already more experienced with the b&w conversions from the D2.

 

thank you!

christophe

An alternative is to invest in b&w post processing software such as Silver Efex Pro 2.  The results are superb with every kind of effect imaginable including sepia toning at various levels.  The D2 colour jpegs are robust enough to take this processing.   Thoroughly recommended.

[grispie]

An alternative is to invest in b&w post processing software such as Silver Efex Pro 2.  The results are superb with every kind of effect imaginable including sepia toning at various levels.  The D2 colour jpegs are robust enough to take this processing.   Thoroughly recommended.

Yep, I'll give it a try. I suppose there will be a trial version. 

I used dxo presets once, but preferred to do my own thing in lightroom.  

thks for that.