Getting correct colors from the Leica Q DNGs (possible solution)

[AlanD]

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I recently picked up a Leica Q for travel and while the JPGs were pleasant enough (7-8/10), I was having incredible difficulty getting pleasant images from the DNG using Lightroom 6 (and CC Classic) using the Adobe Standard or Embedded camera calibrations. They all seemed far too magenta and difficult to color balance skin tones. I am running on a calibrated wide gamut display with 10-bit color.

 

Bart van Hofwegen sent me his Lightroom calibration which was a big improvement but I still was having trouble cope correcting skin tones the way I could with a Leica S, Canon 5Ds, or Fuji X setup.

 

Using the default “generic” Q calibration in Capture One 10 had the same overly saturated problem.

 

But then... I stumbled upon the solution (for me). I tried Capture One’s “No Color Correction” option for the calibration. It is revealed by selecting the “show all camera calibrations as opposed to recommended options” and then choosing No Color Correction from the effects submenu.

 

In this mode, I believe Capture One just uses the Bayer matrix embedded in the DNG to do its calculations.

 

With this mode the colors look very good which appear accurate with the initial set of images I tried this on. Pleasant colors are then achieved with minimal adjustments to the saturation.

 

For those of you unhappy with the Q’s DNG color, this is worth a try.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama