P: Workflow changes to the new Denoise tool has made changes to Fuji x-trans rendering

[Alan21885756v1lo]

X-Trans files look clean and sharp in Capture One. They do not in Lightroom. This has been an established fact since the first X-Trans sensor. A workaround recently has been the denoise tool to convert RAF to DNG, which then presents a far cleaner and sharper image.

However, you have now removed this part of the process, killing the only way to get decent X-Trans image representation from within Lightroom.

Why?

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

The functionality that was present before is still there. Instead of an [Enhance] button, you now have a series of Checkboxes in the Detail section for Denoise/Raw Details. 

 

[Alan21885756v1lo]

The functionality was the ability to convert to DNG which provided a much better compatibility and rendering of x-trans raw files.

A denoise slider on the raw image does nothing for this at all.

[johnrellis]

To test my understanding, are you saying that running the new LR 14.4 Denoise on an RAF raw produces results inferior to doing Enhance > Denoise (creating a DNG) in prior versions?  

If my understanding is correct, it would be great to show that to Adobe by providing a sample raw showing that issue. Upload the file to Wetransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive or similar free service and post the sharing link here. 

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

What John says makes good sense. The Camera Raw team is asking if you have a Before update/after update example you can share with us so that they can evaluate the files. 

[GoldingD]

I see that you are using LrC to convert the RAF to a DNG. In your case via the Denoise tool. A couple of points (that may be out of date)

• The new Denoise does not create a DNG by default. That is, unless you use Enhance (Enhance will create a DNG)
• If you either use that method or use the Convert to DNG method, you are in effect using ACR (built into LrC) that has or had the underlying issue with RAF (Worms, overzealous sharpening) 
• Many Fuji X owners who absolutely hate Adobe's treatment of RAF use third-party RAF to DNG converters. Specifically Irident X-Transformer. I would recommend that you try that out (a trial download is available)
• Not all Fuji X owners find that ACR creates those worms any longer, and accept the LrC/ACR treatment. Although it is often recommended that you undo the lousy Adobe default in adding sharpening at import. (The preset /Classic/General/Zeroed helps)

https://www.iridient.com/products/xtransformer.html