color processing for 601 camera

[goorackerelite]

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I've noticed that the dng files are a little dull and lifeless straight out of camera. How do you guys process the images and colors to more match the Leica M9 or the M10 specifically? thanks 

 

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[graeme_clarke]

DNG are RAW files and, depending on the subject and camera settings (shutter speed, aperture and ISO), can look dull.  In particular photographing into the light can dull the image. Before you start make sure your monitor is properly calibrated.

First can I suggest you check your exposure using the histogram.  If it's quite a way to the left, ie with a gap between the white end of the graph and the right axis you may need to increase exposure - I'd suggest by changing the shutter speed or aperture depending again on your subject and how you want to control DoF or subject movement.

Second, I copy the files from the SD card into a folder on my computer.

Third, I import from the computer folder into Lightroom and in the Library module choose the image to work on.

Fourth, I open the develop module and give a quick check with auto in the Basic section (right hand side of screen). A touch on the texture and clarity slider helps then I often have to reduce vibrance back to 0.  In particular the 601 can boost reds and oranges, and grass shot into the light sometimes looks too emerald in tone!

Fifth, if it looks alright after that I size the image then fine tune luminance, sharpening and noise reduction using the facilities in LR. There are plenty of You Tube videos to help. 

Finally   I often open it in Photoshop and use the better cloning tools and resizing tools there to refine the image before printing and saving as a TIFF or convert it to a jpeg.  Sometimes I'll use the export facility in LR to save the file as a TIFF for later work or as a jpeg as required.

 

That's a very simplified work flow.  As both LR and Photoshop are powerful tools there are many ways to obtain similar results which others may use.  There are other different software packages available that also deliver the goods!

Hope this helps,

Graeme

 

 

[P1505]

I tend to ignore the histogram entirely and just look at the image. I’ve found the histogram can mislead me.

I don’t do much. I sometimes adjust shadows and highlights to taste. I never change sharpening or clarity etc. I use a light meter and use the incident reading. I’ve found the EVF lies to me also

I have presets I could share if that would help? Won’t be by the computer for a few days though.