Raw conversion and post-processing tweaks in Lightroom

[Leico]

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Dear all,

 

First of all, I am sorry if this question sounds a bit 'general' or has been answered previously.

I recently got my Leica M9, which was my dream for a long time. I often shoot RAW+JPG so I can compare my Lightroom conversion with the in-camera processing. I have some experience in RAW conversion using Lightroom, but somehow I find it hard to get the right colour balance, saturation and contrast as some really nice Leica photos that I often see published. Many times I also find that the JPG (when shooting RAW+JPG) gives a nice result that I just can't get by processing the raw.

I found that de-saturating and adding contrast gives my photos quite a nice look but, of course, this is a subjective feeling. I was just wondering if there are some ideas or guidelines that people follow when processing the RAW files, such as, for example, de-saturation of specific colours and/or specific tweaks for the white balance? Also, does anybody know of some Lightroom presets for treating Leica files?

 

I know this is all a matter of taste, but I just keep seeing this 'Leica look' in many photos, and was just wondering if more experienced people here can give some tips on Lightroom adjustments that can help get this kind of look. I should mention that the type of photography I mainly do is street and urban photography.

 

 

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas that you can give!

[vanhulsenbeek]

Welcome

 

Look in this very recent post for some Lightroom techniques! Plus remember: the "Leica-look" is in the eye of the beholder: yourself!

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-post-processing-forum/162223-finally-time-look-my-pictures-use.html#post1587522

 

And a Forum search is never wasted

[Leico]

Thanks for your reply and the thread. I have seen it before and there are some good links for LR tutorials there. However, I was more interested in specific M9/M8 raw conversion tips, regarding adjustments of colour/contrast, and I was wondering if people here might be able to share from their own experience on this.

[vanhulsenbeek]

My experience is that between raw-conversion of M8 and M9 files, there is a world of difference. As you have an M9, do not worry about M8 files.

 

Your first concern is to have a calibrated monitor, That way you can - in most cases -safely export your photo's later without too many surprises.

 

Then there will be lot's of advice but I am not joking: the "Leica-look" is really in the eye of the beholder: yourself! I myself do not really believe in the "Leica-look. In between what happens in the camera and the output in print or on screen, plus the variances in human eyesight, so many things happen that a one and only Leica-Look seems improbable and perhaps even impossible.

 

Leica lenses do have their own characteristics, but that is a whole different subject and a world in it self. Best read: http://www.reidreviews.com

 

But there is a Leica profile in Lightroom: just read this thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-post-processing-forum/145061-lightroom-3-m9-profile.html#post1477383

And here is a thread about the LR3 M9 default setting: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/150181-lightroom-3-default-setting-m9.html#post1511909

 

In the end; not very helpful I suppose

[Leico]

Thanks for the thread links! It was helpful nonetheless

I'll have to do some playing around in LR to find what looks best to me, I guess. I just don't like the idea of too many configurable settings... I am too much of a 'perfectionist' so it just takes too much time

[Carciofi]

I had the same feeling about the colors of my new M9 (processed in Lightroom 3). I came from a M8 and for a few weeks I could use both cameras. I was very disapointed by the M9 as the M8 seemed to me far better balanced and had somewhat smoother colors. The M9 was over-saturated exspecially with yellow with a tendence to blue in neutral grey.

 

I tried to create my own raw profile for LR3 using a color chart and DNG profile Editor, but gave up. The defaults for the M8 were far better than any profile I could create myself.

I send the camera back to Leica with the request for recalibration, Delivery pending.

 

I'm not sure if there is a Leica look, but if there was, my ex-M8 would have come close (in my eyes).

 

Pleas keep us updated about any of you advancements.