Lightroom development settings for Leica M9

[Muizen]

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What are in your experience practical development settings in LR for M9 images? I use the default settings exp 0, recovery 0, fill light 0, blacks 5, brightness +50, contrast +25, but have the impression that brightness at +50 is perhaps too high.

Thanks for your reaction!

[Jeff S]

I use LR3 with the M8.2, but my comments still apply.

 

Depends entirely on the work you do (black/white or color) and the style or look you want to achieve. There is no right and wrong.

 

I follow the same principles I followed in my darkroom days, i.e., global adjustments first, followed by local adjustments. I find that the default settings are pretty good to start, but each image requires different tweaks. The adjustment brush in LR allows you to further adjust for some of the parameters you mention on strictly a local basis. Also, don't ignore the clarity settings...can have a significant impact, by addition or subtraction.

 

I suggest you get the LR3 book by Kelby, ignore the bad jokes, and practice a lot on real pics. There are tons of tips and suggestions you otherwise would ignore. You'll figure out what works for you over time. The key is to establish a good workflow from camera settings to computer settings to LR settings to printer settings. At least I hope you print...that's the only way to make the most of your LR capabilities.

 

Jeff