DNG to JPG conversion in SL3

[ALScott]

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I shot some pics in DNG only, color.  Is there a way to convert them in camera to a B&W JPG?  I have read in here that the best way to handle B&W for quality is to shoot in JPG monochrome high contrast but I forgot when I was taking the pics I knew would be B&W prints.

[LeicaR10]

ALScott,   I use the SL2 camera and variant.  It should be the same on the SL3.  Go to the menu and look up Photo File Format and select DNG + JPEG.  Then go to JPG Settings in the menu and select Film Style.  Go down that menu and select the type of B&W JPEG you want to create.  If that isn't the same, wait until someone with a SL3 chimes in.  r/ Mark

Edited June 21, 2024 by LeicaR10

[ALScott]

1 hour ago, LeicaR10 said:

ALScott,   I use the SL2 camera and variant.  It should be the same on the SL3.  Go to the menu and look up Photo File Format and select DNG + JPEG.  Then go to JPG Settings in the menu and select Film Style.  Go down that menu and select the type of B&W JPEG you want to create.  If that isn't the same, wait until someone with a SL3 chimes in.  r/ Mark

Thanks but I think what you are describing here is before you take the shot.  I am trying to see if there is a way to convert after the shot.  I forgot to switch to DNG + JPG to capture as a high contrast monochrome when shooting the portraits.  I know some cameras allow this after the fact but it doesn't appear the SL3 does.  Maybe someone else knows.  I have read that the best way (highest quality) for monochrome is to set up as JPG high contrast before shooting for pics you plan to be B&W's.  I just wanted to check here to be sure before I Import them and have to convert in LR.

[jyrkialanen]

Well the in-camera jpg conversion  certainly isn't the highest quality option available for black and white photography. If you want versatility and quality transfer the DNG:s to Lightroom (or other raw converter of your choice) and use for example Nik silver efex https://nikcollection.dxo.com/nik-silver-efex/ for the conversion. Of course Nik isn't the only option but it is still (after all these years) very good and intuitive.

[jaapv]

5 hours ago, ALScott said:

Thanks but I think what you are describing here is before you take the shot.  I am trying to see if there is a way to convert after the shot.  I forgot to switch to DNG + JPG to capture as a high contrast monochrome when shooting the portraits.  I know some cameras allow this after the fact but it doesn't appear the SL3 does.  Maybe someone else knows.  I have read that the best way (highest quality) for monochrome is to set up as JPG high contrast before shooting for pics you plan to be B&W's.  I just wanted to check here to be sure before I Import them and have to convert in LR.

Clicking the B&W tab in Lightroom and pushing a few sliders should not be too much of a hassle. Even this basic workflow will render a better quality. Especially if you make a personalized preset. 

[m0n0]

I’ve run into the same thing before, taking DNGs thinking I’d choose B&W later but forgetting to switch the settings in the camera. I don’t really bother with in-camera conversions because they never look quite the way I want. I prefer pulling the DNGs into Lightroom and working from there. You just get way more control over the tones and contrast. If I don’t have access to Lightroom though, or I need a quick batch conversion, I’ve used this DNG Converter that works online, https://www.movavi.com/image-converter/dng-converter.html. It’s pretty handy when I want straightforward JPGs without loading up heavy software.

Edited June 9 by m0n0