ND70

Marvin Mattelson · 01-10-2005, 08:11 PM

Hi Y'all,

Can you tell I'm back from Atlanta? Ok Jimmy I'm chiming in. The raw file, called NEF by Nikon, contains far more info than a jpg ever could. First of all it's 16 bits which means it has a geometrically increased amount of information in each pixel. I believe hundreds if not thousands more. When applying a curve in Photoshop certain data gets tossed. However in the raw format all the data is retained. The alterations to the image are attached and not embeded.

Photoshop has a raw converter which I'm currently experimenting with. I'm reading a book by Bruce Frasier on the subject.

Gotta run now, but I'll be updating this thread.

Marvin Mattelson · 01-10-2005, 11:25 PM

I'm back!

One of the interesting things about the Photoshop camera raw plug-in is that you have the ability to rescue some clipped highlights and shadows that in a jpg appear to be void of detail. Sometimes this can spell the difference between a good and unusable image.

The advantage of having your image edited in Raw is that there are many fine tunings available that don't exist in Photoshop. Also in the Photoshop raw plug-in you also have the ability to batch process and review images without actually having to open them.

There is a reason that the top pros shoot raw. It offers much greater flexibility. I back-up my Raw images on Cd's. It's like archiving one's negatives.

One thing I really like about the Nikon Capture program is that it allows you to upload custom curves to the camera. It's pretty awesome.

Holly Snyder · 01-11-2005, 10:59 AM

Welcome back Marvin!

Is the Photoshop raw plug-in an extra cost module?

I think the low-cost Photoshop Elements v.3 also has raw image manipulation now, but of course not the functionality of CS.

That's good to know that you can get more information out of the highlights and shadows with raw. If you enlarge the same raw and jpg image side-by-side, do you see more detail, range of coloring, values etc in the raw, to the extent that it would make a difference to paint from?

How have you found the curves to be useful? Do you use curves when you have the exact same lighting setup from model to model?

You may not want to answer this, as I can probably come up with even more questions based on your answers...

Holly

Marvin Mattelson · 01-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Snyder

Is the Photoshop raw plug-in an extra cost module?

No. It comes with the CS version. You can download the update on Adobe's site.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Snyder

If you enlarge the same raw and jpg image side-by-side, do you see more detail, range of coloring, values etc in the raw, to the extent that it would make a difference to paint from?

They would look the same until you made the adjustments. Yes it would make a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Snyder

How have you found the curves to be useful? Do you use curves when you have the exact same lighting setup from model to model?

I use a curve I found on the Internet called the "white wedding dress curve" which really brings out the tonal details in the lights. It was created by a wedding photographer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Snyder

You may not want to answer this, as I can probably come up with even more questions based on your answers...

Who'da thunk it! ;-)

Holly Snyder · 01-12-2005, 09:20 AM

Thanks Marvin.

Mike McCarty · 01-18-2005, 11:51 AM

Here's a link that you might find useful when your D70 arrives. It's entitled: Nikon D70: Lessons for Digital Newbies.

http://members.aol.com/bhaber/D70/setup.htm

The following was excepted from the beginning:

Quote:

How to Set Up Your D70

Anyone who has found a workable setup for their D70 will be inclined to suggest you use the same setup. I am doing the same thing here. I have found this to be an excellent setup that works for all kinds of photography, and I want you to get going quickly without getting mired down in the complexities of differing opinions and rationales for different setups. You can get mired down in that stuff later!

This setup will give you balanced exposures and will be perfect for our workflow which will include taking the shot, getting it to your computer, and perfecting it with post processing.

The author indicates that the D70 shoots it's images slightly to the dark side. This is something that find is very noticeable. The author suggests (he's living in California light) that you bump up the exposure a third of a stop to compensate for this. I did a few tests and find this to be a good way to go. When I compared the two images (no compensation vs one third stop brighter) side by side and tried to manipulate the dark one back to the one that had been lightened by a third, I found that I lacked the precision of the cameras original third stop compensation.

The other suggested setting he offers will have to be tested out individually over time.

Michele Rushworth · 01-18-2005, 02:36 PM

Can you post these images, Mike?

Also, is there a setting where you can boost the exposure on every shot, so the camera does it all the time?