Raw Conversion

[AHuntley]

Hello All:

I haven't used PWP since the 3.0/3.5 days, but just recently upgraded to the latest version. Regarding the raw conversion process, I'm finding that my images are very dark per default setting in the raw converter and that I have to increase exposure in the range of 3/4 to 1 1/4 stops in order to get anything that looks reasonably exposed. I've played around with gamma and max slope in an attempt to help with exposure, but I'm not really satisfied with that approach. I don't have any issue in this regard with LR/ACR conversions or any other raw converter that I have so I'm more than a little confused. Can anyone help? Note: doesn't matter what raw file from what camera.

I see in the B&W post of 9/12 that den intimates that he converts basically to a linear file, and then uses PWP transformations (3-zone, etc) to "fix" the image. Based on what I'm seeing when trying to convert my raw files, my images appear more linear though I know that aren't based on the max slope value. Curious what others are doing vis-a-vis raw conversion.

Thank you for any help and/or insight provided.

Regards,
AlanH

[ksinkel]

The raw dialog allows you to set default settings. You can do that so that raw will provide you with a nearly adjustment-free conversion in the majority of cases. To do so, adjust the Raw dialog for best results on an average image and choose Set as Camera Default from the options menu in the Raw dialog.

You seem to be seeing a darker result with two very different transformations -- raw and monochrome. Possibly this is caused by your monitor contrast and brightness settings. I can't guarantee that this is the case, but it may be worth checking them. I would suggest you download the Q-13 test wedge from http://dl-c.com/content/view/26/51/. Your monitor's brightness and contrast should be adjusted so you can distinguish as many of the steps as possible, particularly at the bright and dark ends of the brightness range.

Kiril

[AHuntley]

@ksinkel - it is definitely not my monitor or anything system or color management related. I run a hardware calibrated (using xRite ColorMunki puck and SpectraView software) NEC PA241W monitor. I have converted these same files before in other raw converters such as LR4, Capture One PRO, Raw Developer, Raw Therapee, etc, without issue. Since Raw Therapee using the same base conversion engine (dcraw) as PWP, I would think that basic unaltered conversions from either of these products would look pretty much the same. They don't. I have modified the raw default settings a bit...is there a way to reset back to factory default? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[AHuntley]

@ksinkel - I was just playing around with this a bit more... I think part of the issue is because in the Raw Settings dialog I have "Contrast" set to "Medium Expansion" which, I believe, is the default. Setting it to "Full Expansion" immediately helps to make the image look more like what I'd expect. Is there any reason why this setting should not be set to "Full Expansion?" And, if anyone out there is converting Canon 5D II raw files into PWP I'd really appreciate knowing your default settings in the raw dialog.

[AHuntley]

@ksinkel - more input...

I think I'm getting very close with my Canon 5D II raw conversions. I made the following changes vs what are defaults for raw conversion following initial install of the software:

Color tab: saturation: +2.5%

Gray tab: Exposure: +.25, Midtones: +20.5%, Dyn Range: Full Range, Gamma: 2.20, Max Slope: 80.29

S & N: capture sharpening set to taste, Noise Level: Level 1 with amount at 0

These settings, along with other settings as factory delivered, render a very nice looking image; comparable to what I'm seeing in LR4, though I think I like the rendering in PWP better! Based on your own experience or the combined experience of this board, if anyone sees any issue with the settings above please let me know.

Thank you.

[den]

If you are using the latest version of PWP6 32 or 64 bit, you may find useful/illuminating information in these two threads and their further suggested links...

(1) RAW conversion questions: http://www.dl-c.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=501

(2) A Breakpoint widget Workflow Example: RAW to Pre-Print: http://www.dl-c.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=481

[AHuntley]

Thanks for the links, den, much good information there. I've been fiddling around with the raw dialog settings and getting pretty close to what I feel is a good baseline image file for further post-processing. Once I get something I like I set all current settings to camera default.

Thanks, again, for your help and info.