 Robin Briggs |
Nikon D70, Adobe RAW, and Sharpness I have a Nikon D70 and have been taking exclusively RAW photos for several months now. When I import the photos into Photoshop Elements 3, I use the Adobe RAW converter, and have been pushing the default setting for Sharpness from 25 down to 0. However, I have been noticing that my pix are really soft. When I left the Sharpness at 25, they are somewhat less soft, but to really get the crispness I like, I find myself pushing the Sharpness setting up to 100. When I first got my D70, I shot in fine JPEG, and did not notice any sharpness at all. However, I do like being able to adjust white balance and exposure through the converter. Could someone offer some insight as to what's going on here? Is the D70 applying some sharpening in fine JPEG mode that I would always need to compensate for when using RAW? What does the sharpness setting on the Adobe RAW actually do? Is there some inherent fuzziness with this camera? Thanks!
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Terry R. Hatfield |
There is nothing wrong with the camera, Robin. Shooting RAW files - as opposed to fine JPEGs - is a bit different when it comes to the amount of in-camera processing. RAW is a digital "negative". I use the Unsharp Mask Filter within PS for sharpening and leave the slider alone. In the converter, I think the camera sets this at 25. It's just not that effective at sharpening as the Unsharp Mask function in PS. The Fine JPEG mode applies a lot of in-camera processing. That is why JPEGs appear to look better and require less editing.
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Robin Briggs |
Thanks, Terry. That makes a lot of sense - that the JPEG would already be "processed" and, therefore, would look better right out of the camera. I take it from what you're saying that, pretty much no matter what, you always apply Unsharp Mask to your RAW files, because they will always need it? If that's the case, then it's just a matter of setting my expectations ... Thanks again.
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Terry R. Hatfield |
Not always, Robin. It greatly depends on the lens you are using, and maybe a little camera shake, etc. :-)
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Robin Briggs |
Well, these were tripod-and-self-timer pix, so I don't think camera shake really plays a part. However, I'd like to know more about what to look for in lenses. I have the 18-70mm lens that came with the D70 as a kit lens. I'm looking to get a longer zoom (i.e., 70-300mm) and I'd love some advice on what to look for to deal with some of the sharpness issue. Thanks!
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JAMK Photography |
Robin, I have both CS and Nikon Capture. I've found for basic RAW post/batch processing, the Nikon Capture is easier to work with. Also, it lets you save your edit file and re-set it back to the original if needed. This is done without saving additional files. Personally, I feel Capture does a better job with processing AND sharpening the RAW files. Steve
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William Koplitz |
Steve has the answer, use the Nikon software to initially process your raw images. It doens't have to be the capture version, it can be the Nikon view software as well.
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Phillip A. Flusche |
Robin, In your D70 you can control the sharpness of the photo. Open the Menu and go to the shooting menu (second one down from the top) then go to "Optimize Image" and scroll down to the last selection "Custom Settings". One of these selections is "Sharpening" and its options are Auto, Normal, Low, Medium Low, High and Medium High, and None. This setting will be applied to all photos until changed and can be modified using the supplied Nikon Capture Editor program in the advanced editing area. NEF photo files are saved using whatever settings you use at the time of the shutter release. These settings can be fully modified using the Nikon software at any time, but in JPEG they are irreversably imbedded and cannot be changed. After you get the picture looking like you want it using the Nikon software then save it in NEF format so you can go back and re-modify it if desired still in raw or even go back to the original. As long as it is in NEF the Nikon Software will be able to change the settings like white balance or sharpness. It can then be edited using PS in NEF if desired. Full modification features in PS requires that you convert the NEF to one of the other formats such as JPEG, TIFF or PDD etc. A book I have describes the sharpening modes this way. "AUTO applies a level of sharpening that varies with how the camera analyzes the image data. In NORMAL the camera apparantly applies a moderate amount of sharpening. In LOW and MEDIUM LOW it applies lesser amounts than normal. In HIGH and MEDIUM HIGH it applies more than NORMAL and in NONE it applies none. To apply the modified setting in the camera menu be sure to go to "DONE" and OK it. The book also recommends in JPEG to shoot using low or medium low and NEF to use NONE and use post processing to achieve what you want. I use normal all the time and am happy with it. NEF RAW is a file format that allows the Nikon Capture Editor Software to completely modify the file for such things as color balance, exposure compensation, sharpness, and several more areas using the pure info taken with the camera sensors. NEF/RAW files will have the setting you selected already set but if it does not look good then you can change it. The EV modification is worth its weight in gold as is the color balance area. As a poor amateur I mess up often and this featuere saves me. These attributes (such as CB and Sharpness)are irreversably imbedded in JPEG files while in NEF they can be changed at will using the Nikon Software. The book I mention is by Magic Lantern Guides called Nikon D70 by by Simon Stafford. The publisher is Lark Books of New York.
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GARY FESPERMAN |
Hi Terry If you haven't already check out the answers to question #2. Good luck shooting***** Gary
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