Why do my RAW files now look so good with no edits?

[Grahamell]

I've been using Lightroom for years and am quite accustomed to the newly imported raw files looking less than impressive when first brought into Lightroom. I created a preset for each camera I use which I apply on import to improve contrast, set a colour profile etc. I rarely shoot jpeg so I've just being doing this as a matter of course.

I just got another camera, so I've been shooting raw and jpeg and I haven't made an import profile yet, I imported my raw files with zero adjustments and yet universally the basic untouched raw file has better colour, more contrast and sharper with more detail than the jpeg. I thought it was something about my new camera (Olympus) so I tried importing raw and jpegs from my other cameras (Sony and Canon) without applying any press on import- the same thing here too, the untouched raw file is giving a better preview than the jpeg. I tested this by exporting both sets of images as jpegs and viewing them outside Lightroom and the difference is maintained.

Have Adobe been altering the way Lightroom handles raw files. I'm not complaining I'm just interested. I hear a lot of stuff about how Capture One renders raw files initially better than Lightroom, have they been trying to redress this perhaps.

[dj_paige]

Sounds like you are (accidentally?) applying a develop preset at import.

[Grahamell]

No, I'm absolutely certain that I'm not; if I check the develop module panels, they are all zeroed (apart from the sharpening on raw files which always happens )

[99jon]

If no profile is assigned at import, the default is Adobe Color. It was previously Adobe Standard.

[dj_paige]

Grahemell  wrote

No, I'm absolutely certain that I'm not; if I check the develop module panels, they are all zeroed (apart from the sharpening on raw files which always happens )

Zeroed doesn't mean anything if you are (accidentally?) applying a develop preset that picks certain camera profiles (like Adobe Vivid).

So the question remains, are you applying a develop preset at Import?

[Grahamell]

I’m as certain as I can be that I am not applying any develop preset on import. The apply on import box says “none”. Where else should I check.

The imorted files do has the profile “adobe color“ although I have not initiated that, it just happens.

[Conrad_C]

I think we've established with certainty that you're not applying any develop presets on import. The likely reason images look different now is probably because of the recent changes to the default profiles applied to imported images, as we've been discussing in other replies.

This is how you can confirm this: In Lightroom, go back to a folder from several years ago and select a raw image, especially one you didn't edit much. What is the default profile there? It's probably Adobe Standard. Now in the Develop module, click the Reset button. That will treat the image as if it was imported all over again using today's Lightroom defaults: the current default Process Version, default Profile, etc. My guess is that in addition to applying the current Process Version, a Reset will also switch the profile to Adobe Color instead, and that will improve the color without you having done anything else. (If you liked the way it was before, you can Undo the reset or step back in the History panel.)

And I do believe Adobe improved the Process Version and the color profiles partly in response to the perception that Capture One has better default colors. I'm not sure if people think Lightroom has caught up, but the gap should now be narrowed at least.

[Conrad_C]

Just wondering, what's the default profile that the images come in with? Is it Adobe Color, Adobe Landscape, Adobe Vivid, or another one?

Ever since Adobe overhauled the profile system recently, I've gotten into the habit of trying different profiles because there's often one that produces more satisfying color for a particular image. I'm just wondering if maybe the default profile that's getting assigned to your imports is different than it used to be, since just changing the profile would alter colors even if all other settings were zeroed.

[GoldingD]

Adobe has been improving the profiles for several generations back. I think it was at v7.3 that they started making good improvements.  It used to be that the default profiles, including Adobe Standard were rather flat, Adobe has improved that.

Now for newer cameras, Adobe has increasingly added camera Adobe Standard profiles for specific cameras typically identified as v2. And Lightroom could be automatically applying a V2 profile for your camera. This does not involve user intervention in changing develop camera default settings. And do not confuse this with camera specific profiles that mimic in camera settings.

So, yes improvements in generic profiles, extra standard profiles for specific newer cameras.

https://petapixel.com/2018/04/03/a-closer-look-at-lightrooms-new-and-improved-profiles/

https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/03/adobe-updates-lightroom-cc-and-classic-with-improved-profile-suppo...

April Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw Releases: New Profiles and More | Adobe Blog

P.S. Some cameras are now working with Lightroom Classic in that they pass along and Lightroom accepts additional metadata as to settings. So far, just the Nikon Z6 and Z7, I think. These are various in camera settings that in the past would not be acted upon by Lightroom, not sure if that is embedded data or a sidecar.

[elie_dinur]

At the same time that Adobe changed the default profile to Adobe Color (more saturation and contrast - in short, jazzier) the default Amount value in Sharpening was raised from 25 to 40 and in V.P. 5 there is improved rendering of high ISO shadow tones. Users who jump straight into their own editing are probably less aware of changes at the default level, but those who don't venture beyond the default rendering should be seeing a difference from what they obtained a year ago.

[Just Shoot Me]

Grahemell  wrote

Have Adobe been altering the way Lightroom handles raw files. I'm not complaining I'm just interested. I hear a lot of stuff about how Capture One renders raw files initially better than Lightroom, have they been trying to redress this perhaps.

Yes and No.

LR, ACR and whatever other RAW processor you may use always applies something to a RAW file at the time it is Displayed on your computer screen.

For LR and ACR Adobe creates a Base Profile that is Auto Applied to every RAW file. This is different for each make and model of camera.

You can change that to whatever you like without creating and applying an import preset. It is called the Default Settings and can be different for each camera you use.