S2 in LR 3.2 vs 3.0 vs 2.5 stress test shots

[JMacD]

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There have been questions of how LR3.0 and 3.2 are rendering S2 files versus LR2.5.

LR3.2 has added an S2 to it's data base.

These photos are being deposited here to give a quick display of differences. I will be linking to these photos from elsewhere.

 

In the early reviews some have said that of course S2 can render a person just fine in perfect light, but how about out of the studio? How about in poor lighting and off exposure? How about in open shadows at dusk, without any reflectors or fill strobes?

 

Some have said that until Leica has it's own software, the files will always be limited. I think LR3.2 addresses those concerns and has a workflow that is excellent.

 

Some have said the CA is an issue. I didn't modify the sliders to address that, as I did not find it a problem, and this is set up to generate pretty tough contrast edges.

 

Recently, with the release of LR3.2 with S2 profiles, some initial doubters have changed their minds and said the files are now much better.

 

I would agree that LR3.2 is an improvement over 3.0, and 3.0 is a big improvement over 2.5. Not to say that you couldn't adjust 2.5 for a great image, it took more work. And not to say more work couldn't be done on a 3.2 file, I would save that for an image I wanted to print.

The lighting in this photo is underexposed on the face, no fill light was used to open up shadows. In the processing, the color was balanced using color checker and then the fill light slider was used to open up the shadows. the brightness slider was moved from 50 to 61. Trying to save a bad shot. No curve adjustments were used at this time.

 

I am not a tester, I am a shooter. this was for my own interest, but worth sharing. As usual, I won't know how bad the jpeg compression is until I see this posted myself.

Sorry if you are looking for a great photograph, this is just a test. ISO 160 f4.0 1/60sec. 35mm lens Next time, a beautiful young model, in perfect light.

 

Those of you with S2s should test this yourselves, but I would say that LR3.2 is an excellent solution for the S2. It is also so much better than LR 2.5 for ease of use!

And some may develop special tools.

 

The first photo is full image as opened in LR3,2 unadjusted

The second is a close up of the color checker adjusted for white balance.

The third photo, first face close up is LR3.2 unadjusted except for WB, fill and brightened. This is 100%.

The second face is LR3.0 with the same adjustments as in 3.2

The last, bottom face is LR2.5 with the same fill and brightening as the others.

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