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Participating Frequently
June 18, 2025

P: Nikon Z5 II - White Balance Issue

  • June 18, 2025
  • 37 replies
  • 4467 views

The Nikon Z5 II Raw Files (NEF Files) are having a known probem in LR Classic, including the very latest release 14.4. Here is a link to a YouTube video detailing the problem, and a summary of the video with chapter markings. It's a known issue, and thousands of people are discussing it on multiple social media outlets. Lightroom Classic will read the RAW files from the Nikon Z5 II, but when "auto" WB is applied, a magenta cast takes effect. I spoke to an Adobe rep today. We could not troubleshoot it. Nikon says it's an Adobe issue, and I agree, as this issue does NOT occur in Capture One, or Nikons own software. The JPEGS from the camera are great and as long as "AS SHOT" is applied in LR, it works, but any other WB settings (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy) etc... leans the file so far into magenta, it's unusable. I also tried using the eyedropper tool on a grey card, and it also leans magenta. I am on Mac OS, Sequoia 15.5. 

Anyone else having this issue? How can we escalate it to Adobe so it can get a patch?

The video discusses a white balance issue with Nikon Z5II RAW files when edited in Lightroom. [00:00] The creator, Chris Tellez, found that Lightroom's standard white balance presets add an overly magenta tint to the images. [02:44, 03:05] This is due to a green tint added to the RAW files, as interpreted by Lightroom. [01:46, 03:33] The "Auto" white balance in Lightroom also produces inaccurate colors. [05:30] The current workaround is to use the "As Shot" white balance setting. [07:09] The creator is unsure of the cause and is seeking more information. [00:40, 06:29]

https://youtu.be/YJvYW48QFpA?si=N2Nw_o2iyBmD6pPB

37 replies

frebergAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 26, 2025

Thank you! It looks like they just updated camera raw to the 17.4.1 today and also Photoshop to 26.8.1. Both of them show that the files are now correct white balance, and able to use the auto white balance setting perfectly. Lightroom classic is still at 14.4, updated eight days ago. I'm hoping they the LR classic next! It looks like there's a new camera profile available called camera standard V2, But Adobe color and Adobe standard V2 work perfectly. I'm hoping Lightroom gets patched accordingly.

Rikk Flohr_Photography
Community Manager
Community Manager
June 22, 2025

Updating status, linking to bug report. 

Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
BP1510
Known Participant
June 18, 2025

Hello, 

 

When importing Nikon Z5ii raw files into Lightroom, they display as white balance correct, however the lightroom's white balance numbers skew heavy to the green tint... -25 to -40 in most cases. This seems a bit extreme, as it does not happen on any other camera I have used.

It is not isloated to my camera, as I have imported files into Lightroom from other Nikon Z5ii users from other countries, and their files behave in the same way.

 

If someone in Adobe Tech can have a look at the issue ASAP to address, many thanks. 

johnrellis
Genius
June 18, 2025
Legend
June 18, 2025

@freberg 

 

@freberg 

 

I tried Camera Matching profiles (Camera Standard) and it made no difference.

 

Here are screen shots with Camera Standard and As Shot WB, then Camera Standard and Daylight WB:

 

frebergAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 18, 2025

My bad. You are correct. I meant to say that camera matching works if you choose, "AS SHOT". Same with the Adobe profles. This is a bug. How do we escalate this to Adobe? This camera (Z5 II) has amazing JPEGS and RAWS look good "as shot" but this raw bug is awful. I'm surprised they didn't fix it in the latest LR update. How do we Ping Adobe?????

 

Legend
June 18, 2025

@freberg 

 

Adobe follows these discussions and will be aware of the problem.

 

frebergAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 18, 2025

Camera matching works perfectly. Definitely an Adobe issue. Also, no such issue in capture one or Nikons proprietary software. Only in LR. Hope they patch it soon.

Legend
June 18, 2025

@freberg 

 

Definitely a bug in LrC and its interpolation of the Z5 II's WB, particulalry the Tint, which is far too negative.

 

I have a Z8 and with my WB set to Sunny, LrC's 'As Shot' WB has Temp = 5100, Tint = +14. Selecting LrC's 'Daylight' WB, Temp = 5500, Tint = +10. Vastly different to the Z5 II (I downloaded a RAW image from a website to test and get the same results as you).

 

@GoldingD this has nothing to do with Profiles.

GoldingD
Legend
June 18, 2025

A few things of notice.

 

First up, the default Adobe Color profile. O(n several cameras, the standard profiles have presented problems like this. Sometimes a lot worse than what you are showing. Often a bit or more than a bit magenta. What happens if you use a Camera Matching Profile?

 

Second, the use of Auto WB, and As Shot WB. Adobe has improved Auto, but perhaps if the Standard Adobe profile is off, then perhaps Auto WB might be off.

 

Third, still in WB, the use of As Shot. Fairly sure that is the default. Also, fairly sure, on multiple cameras, it has issues. (P.S. I assume you do not have an in-camera WB issue going on? )

 

Not saying Adobe does not have a problem, And in fact, if you change the profile to a camera matching one, and that works, then Adobe has a problem.