M8 files are not 3:2 in Lightroom

[skimmel]

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I just got my M8 and noticed that my files are not 3:2 ratio in size (i.e., 1.5:1). They're actually 1.4867:1. I uploaded them right into Lightroom and didn't crop (of course). It's not a huge deal, but if I print, for example, an 8x12, I actually get 8X11.894.

 

When I look at the RAW file (in Zoombrowser), it is 1.5:1. So, is Lightroom cutting out part of my images?

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[ho_co]

According to the M8's spec, its DNG resolution is 3916 x 2634 pixels, which is not 3:2. (JPG resolutions are all 3:2.)

 

I ran one of the published M8 DNG files through DNG Recover Edges. The program reported that it recovered some 22 thousand pixels and the edge-recovered image now sports 3920 x 2638 pixels.

 

Still not 3:2, but gives you more room to play.

 

--HC

[skimmel]

According to the M8's spec, its DNG resolution is 3916 x 2634 pixels, which is not 3:2. (JPG resolutions are all 3:2.)

 

I ran one of the published M8 DNG files through DNG Recover Edges. The program reported that it recovered some 22 thousand pixels and the edge-recovered image now sports 3920 x 2638 pixels.

 

Still not 3:2, but gives you more room to play.

 

--HC

 

Thanks. It's a bit of an adjustment for me because I'm used to printing/cropping by leaving the width/height ratio the same as the native file. Also, if I don't crop, but then print at some multiple of 3:2, I will lose some of my picture I think.

 

It seems more strange to me that Leica would not have a native resolution with similar proportions to film. Oh well.

[robsteve]

Just set the crop tool in Lightroom to 4x6. You will then notice the picture is just a touch high for the 3:2 and lightroom will crop off the top few pixels.

[ho_co]

Thanks. It's a bit of an adjustment for me because I'm used to printing/cropping by leaving the width/height ratio the same as the native file. Also, if I don't crop, but then print at some multiple of 3:2, I will lose some of my picture I think.

 

It seems more strange to me that Leica would not have a native resolution with similar proportions to film. Oh well.

Stephen--

I understand it's a change in the way you work, but not all sensors deliver a 3:2 aspect ratio. (Nikon D200 delivers 3872 x 2592 pixels--also ca 1.49:1.)

 

If you multiply the M8 short dimension by 1.5, you get a length of 3951 pixels--an increase of 35 pixels. As you said above, that's just under 0.15 inches at 240 ppi, and that's not something most of us would notice.

 

You are right, if you crop to 3:2, you'll lose a tiny part of your image; Rob has shown how you could do that, and you probably won't see it after the fact because the M viewfinder is not as tight as an SLR's. You might even decide you like to crop the extra material out.

 

But I'm curious about your initial question: Zoombrowser reports 1.5:1--is that simply due to rounding, or does it add 35 columns of duplicate pixels?

 

And I agree, I don't know why JPGs and DNGs don't have the same number of pixels, or why only one should be 3:2.

 

As you said: "Oh, well."

 

--HC

[skimmel]

Stephen--

You are right, if you crop to 3:2, you'll lose a tiny part of your image; Rob has shown how you could do that, and you probably won't see it after the fact because the M viewfinder is not as tight as an SLR's. You might even decide you like to crop the extra material out.

 

But I'm curious about your initial question: Zoombrowser reports 1.5:1--is that simply due to rounding, or does it add 35 columns of duplicate pixels?

 

And I agree, I don't know why JPGs and DNGs don't have the same number of pixels, or why only one should be 3:2.

 

As you said: "Oh, well."

 

--HC

 

Sorry, I made a mistake. Zoombrowser shows 1.5:1 for JPGs. For RAWs, it's the 1.48...:1 as above (I had a Canon RAW file mixed in with my M8 files and just happened to pick that one when I was looking for ratios!).

 

Often, I don't usually crop most of my shots, just resize and send for printing (I don't print my own) -- so I will, in general, lose part of my images. I don't want to have to crop every picture I take. It's so minimal though as to be not important for those photos. If I really care exactly what's in a shot, I would crop. So, it's not a big deal.