Hi all,
I came across some issues when importing RAW files from my Nikon Z9 into LR. I did some searching and I've seen similar problems, so that's why I would like to share what I found. And it seems that other questions pop up when searching through this issue, so advice is welcome!
My original problem:
when I import RAW images - made by my Nikon Z9 - into LR, I see in the develop mode that automatic adjustments are made (cfr screenshots).
> the adjustments include exposure, contrast, white balance, vibrancy, excessive sharpening and noise reduction
> the amount of adjustments vary from photo to photo, on one photo the noise reduction is higher than on another photo, the same with other adjustments.
> the adjustments only take place on the RAW images, not on the JPG version
My actions so far:
Nikon Z9
- Picture Control is set to Auto with all settings set to 0
- Active D-Lighting is set to OFF
- high ISO noise reduction is set to OFF
Lightroom Classic
- in the RAW standard settings I have indicated that the camera settings must be followed (cfr screenshot).
Unfortunately, in LR I still don't see the image/preview that I see on my Z9, the automatic adjustments continue to happen. However, in the library module (with 'fast development') I can set all settings to 0 by clicking 'restore all' (cfr screenshot/yellow arrow). All the automatic adjustments made by LR are now undone and all the settings are on 0 (and this is actually the initial situation I want) .
Then I adjusted the RAW standard settings and indicated that the Adobe Standard should be followed (cfr screenshot).
Now when I import photos, all settings are set to 0 (as I want). The color profile in development mode is set to Adobe Color and not Adobe Standard as I would expect but maybe that is normal or indicated elsewhere?
Now I find it strange that the automatic adjustments are made when the camera settings are followed and not when the Adobe Standard settings are followed. I'd rather think it's the other way around.
Does anyone here have an idea as to why this is so I can better understand this issue? Thanks in advance!
Caroline
3
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Now I find it strange that the automatic adjustments are made when the camera settings are followed and not when the Adobe Standard settings are followed. I'd rather think it's the other way around.
Does anyone here have an idea as to why this is so I can better understand this issue? Thanks in advance!
By @carolined69956938
No, that sounds right to me. The Adobe Default should result is just that, all sliders are set to the default position after import, and the default profile should be Adobe Color.
Using "Camera Settings" as the default develop settings is more of a mixed bag, as it very much depends on what camera settings are exposed to LrC. The in-camera Picture Style should always result in the corresponding Adobe camera-matching profile being applied, but the application of other in-camera settings appears to vary. Using my Canon R5 and R7, for instance, none of the develop sliders are changed from the Adobe Default position, but apparently Nikon exposes more in-camera settings to Adobe which are then applied. For example I've just downloaded 5 Raw files from a Z9 and on import to LrC (with Camera Settings as the default) I see that Texture is set to +40, Clarity is set to +20 and Luminance Noise Reduction is set to 25 (for 4 images where ISO 64 was used) and 39 for one image shot at ISO 2000. If I then inspect those images I see that those values have been written into the XMP section of the file header, which is obviously what LrC is then reading and applying (just as it would if there was an XMP sidecar associated with the raw file). Canon don't seem to do that, which explains why there are no adjustments made to their files on import into LrC.
If that's something that you don't like I can only suggest you revert you develop defaults to the Adobe Default setting, then apply only the camera-matching profile either by an import preset, or post import.
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