Leica Looks, LUTs and C1

[Bernd-B]

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Dear all,

are you shooting JPG? Do you use the Leica Looks?

If you shoot in DNG+JPG and if you are using the Leica Looks, how do you match your DNG processing with the “developed” JPGs?

Until a couple of weeks ago, I have used DNG only and I am still processing my pictures in C1. As I am frequently getting questions like “Can I have this picture just for my iPhone” – especially from my family – I started shooting in DNG+JPG to have a copy which I can export easily via the FOTOS App without having to process it on my mobile. After playing around with the Lika Looks, I really like the looks called Contemporary and Classic.

When I am back at home and start processing my DNGs in C1, I use styles which give a comparable mood to the pictures, but are obviously not identical. Trying to match the JPGs with a Leica Look applied in C1 is quite time consuming. Therefore, I am looking for a solution.

Solution 1 would be that Leica releases C1 styles (and LR presets) of their Leica Looks to allow us applying the same looks to the DNGs during C1 (and LR) processing.

Solution 2 would be that Leica allows us to use LUTs not just for video, but for photo as well. In that case, I could turn my C1 styles into LUTs (there are some apps doing that job, e. g. LUT generator), load these LUTs into my SL3 and apply it to the JPG like a Lika Look. Unfortunately, Leica does not allow this so far – but it is possible with the Lumix S5II.

What are your thoughts 

Best regards

Bernd

[Photoworks]

I don't think any of the Looks interest me, I would need something more relatable to film, and be able to only apply for a % number.

that said other companies have been making the presets for post-processing. they get you close to what you get in camera. In the case of Fuji, the preset is applied before the processor saves the raw files, because some adjustments can only be done before.
The Film simulation takes away resources from the camera, you will notice some speed differences when they are activated. and there is a limit of simulation loaded in the camera.

I think making a preset in C1 or LrC is the closest you are going to get this day. you may want to do it in a few different lighting situations and colors.

LUT makers promote conversions to presets, but they always work in one colorspace. often only in sRGB or rec-709, and you can only use it in that.

Panasonic made a bold move on the S9 looks app, I hope Leica follows the trend and offers something that customers are interested in.

[Jonathan Levin]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

I don't think any of the Looks interest me

 

I have to agree with this. I found the Looks look either to contrasty, colors, meh. Right out of camera with a tiny bit of adjustment works for me. As does highlight balanced metering.

[ksasaki]

@Bernd-B Robin Schimko has created Lightroom Profiles and Presets for two of the Leica Looks (Classic and Contemporary) and is sharing them for free.  Although it seems to be depending on your DNGs, the profiles and the presets could get you pretty close to the out-of-camera jpeg looks.  https://www.robinschimko.com/blog/the-leica-q3-look

Check it out and see if you like it.

[BillCB]

I don't particularly like Leica Looks, shoot DNGs only. I too use Capture One (having been a Phase One shooter) and am pleasantly surprised how little post processing my Leica DNG files need. I often don't need to modify them at all.

[Photoworks]

I don't find the Looks so useful, but I worked them for Capture One, if anyone is interested you can use them to 100% or less in a Layer.

Leica-Looks.zip

[Bernd-B]

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Many thanks, they look very interesting

[Pierre68]

Distressing to read that out of 6 answers 4 were from grumpy old mens saying " I don't like Leica Looks"... 

I think the idea is interesting. It is always better to have options even If you don't use them than not to have them at all.

Personally I find the idea interesting for JPEGs. Even if I always shoot DNG + JPEGs, it is fun to have a processed image right out of the camera to be able to send it on the fly to the impatient people being photographed.

[M Street Photographer]

I don't quite understand the problem of applying Leica looks, even to RAWs, when using C1. In the current version of C1, it's easy to load a look or film simulation as a reference into the "Adjust Looks" field, for example, and then apply it to one or more RAW or JPG images. The only other parameters you need to consider are exposure and white balance, which can also be enabled or disabled.

https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/22266038214173-Match-Look?destination=introduction&isTrial=&language=&remainingTrial=0&rk=&tool=match-look&variant=0&version=

Edited May 3 by M Street Photographer

[jaapv]

Leica made looks applicable to jpg files only as far as I am aware. 

[M Street Photographer]

vor 5 Stunden schrieb jaapv:

Leica made looks applicable to jpg files only as far as I am aware. 

In-camera looks are only applied to JPGs. If you take a JPG file from the camera with a look as a reference in C1, you can also apply the look to RAW files. To do so, simply drag it into the "Adjust look" field. Then select one or more files to which you want to apply the looks. If in doubt, please watch the video I've linked.

[Photoworks]

On 5/3/2025 at 5:04 PM, Pierre68 said:

Distressing to read that out of 6 answers 4 were from grumpy old mens saying " I don't like Leica Looks"... 

You should keep the insulting remarks out of the forum; that would be more civil.

[Chris W]

Capture One Mobile can also load Leica DNG. I really like the C1 'beyond film' and 'beyond b&w' which can be loaded as presets into C1 mobile.

I always process my Leica DNGs as new images in C1 on a laptop, but for quick exports for web and friends I load a few into C1 mobile and process with the 'beyond' presets.

[M Street Photographer]

I don't think it's productive to start listing all possible film simulations and hardware platforms. This thread is already old and is being revived, but the original wording should be respected.

[Bernd-B]

As I started the thread back in last August, I would like to update from my point of view.

Back in August 2024 the "Match Look" feature of C1 was not available, it was introduced in the actual release. I have tested it as described by M Street Photographer in the way, that I have set my SL3 to DNG+JNG, applied a Leica Look and used the JPG as reference for C1's Match Look feature. The result comes quite close, but is not identical.

In practice, I don't use the Leica Looks very often. My main reason using them is when I need a JPG very quickly after shooting where I don't have the time or option for a real processing in C1 before presenting the first version of my pictures. In these cases, the fully processed pictures from the DNGs should look identical - but having e.g. better shadow details for printing on matte paper.

With these considerations, I find my original post still valid. My preferred option is still, that I can use my own LUTs in the photo mode of the SL3(-S) (as it is already possible in the video mode). As the current Maestro processor is obviously able to apply a Leica Look to a JPG during shooting, I don't see any technical reason why that should not be possible with my own LUTs. Using a Leica Look is still a workaround, which works sometimes quite well. But in that case, I would need a corresponding C1 style (or LR preset) which gives me the identical look of the DNG file. Unfortunately, C1's Match Look feature comes just close.