Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I haven't seen this in my NEF search on this site, but is there a plug-in RAW (Nikon NEF) filter for the D7000 that I need?

I find I have to turn the Brightness down to about -15, Contrast up to maybe +12, add a bit of Fill +3, and turn the Saturation way down to maybe -35 or so (Camera's 'color' is set to Normal).  A comparison NEF run through DxO Optics Pro 6 RAW conversion pretty much nails the TIFF, but QU seems to present a really overexposed and saturated NEF image off the D7000.

The camera is set to underexpose (as most owners are by setting -3/6 stop), but the QU2011.206 NEF images are way too light (overexposed).

Tia.

Mack

I see that the file size is over 19 megs for raw.
Can you send one to me please using (free) YOUSENDIT.COM  ?

Email address is wathree.ssz@verizon.net

Thanks,
Fred

Hi Mack,
No, none needed.
I suggest you check the Raw Format Options in Edit Preferences. Make sure you have Smart Exposure, Auto Fill Light and Auto Black Levels all ticked.
See screen shot below.
With the Raw format options set as above, the thumbs and prints etc. in the majority of cases will be about right. For raw adjustments, use the Raw Refine screen in the first instance, not the editor.
See Learning Videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JBQPJw-ana8&vq=hd720
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=88jb-__8cmo&vq=hd720
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qjkASfTzfFA&vq=hd720
Finally, make sure you have you monitor profile enabled in QU.

Let us know how you get on, come back if you still have a problem.
BTW, I have a few sample NEF files (none from the D7000 though) and they look & print great in QU.
PS. added attachments, raw options screen shot.
Also a folder of D7000 nef files downloaded from internet - no problems with view, QU smart exposure, auto fill etc.
Terry

Could you clarify this statement please>
You are shooting Raw?
Do you mean White balance?
Fred

Fred-

Raw (NEF) image is on the way.  I tried it on "Auto Level" instead of the default of  "Smart exposure" and it looks much better on screen and the print should too. The Smart exposure print looks washed out (i.e. Less contrast and too light.).  Monitor is calibrated with Spyder3 and the prints appear much like it within 3-4 of the default Zero in Brightness, Contrast, Fill settings in the QU Editor.

Fwiw, the 'Normal' setting is one of the "Coloration" settings in the menu like Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Monochrome, and Normal that Nikon put into the D7000.  Not related to White Balance.

Tia.

Mack

Thank you.... will be happy to check it out.


Are those settings related to RAW ?


Nothing here yet.   How did you send it, using the recommended YOUSENDIT?
Fred

Good question.  I haven't tried shooting with the camera in "Monochrome" mode only to see if it alters the NEF file to be 'only black and white' and no color available out of the subsequent image.  Short answer, I dunno?  I need to try that...
....

Okay.  I just tried "Monochrome" for a shot.  Sort of interesting results off that NEF file.

Adobe CS5 opens the "Monochrome" NEF in Color as does QU too.
Oddly, Nikon's Capture NX2 and View NX2, IrfanView, and DxO Optics Pro 6 opens the same "Monochrome" NEF as Black and White and not in color.   ???

Seems to be some variation in how each software addresses a NEF file coloration (monochrome) and the setting applied.  Seems odd Adobe and QU opens it in color and the others don't.  I thought it was only related to the JPEG inside the NEF, but appears they are reading something else to make it monochrome.


Oh, the word 'Normal' that I used above is 'Neutral' in the Color Settings while I was setting it to shoot Monochrome.

Mack

No Nef arrived.

Fred-

AT&T will not send the NEF.  It's been bounced back to me twice now with this:
Remote host said: 552 5.3.4 a message size of 20483 kilobytes exceeds the size limit of 20480 kilobytes computed for this transaction.  No go for a mere 3KB over!   >:(

AT&T used to be limited to 25MB and now they are less than 20MB.  Seems they say to "limit size to no more than 8MB" now on their help site as other servers may not accept more than 8MB.  Wait until the cellphone cameras pass 20MB and no one can get anything.

They used to have Worldnet which could take a lot of server space.  They got rid of that.  Now they keep lowering the data capacity too, but their price goes up for even worse service.


Mack

Mack,
That's why I said,
I knew it would not fly by email!
Google up YOUSENDIT and download the free version.  http://www.sendthisfile.com/?gclid=CMqtkJe6pawCFQsj7AodVAFnEQ

Fred

I just tried WinRAR on the NEF and it compressed it a bit.  Just maybe it will squeak under their limit?  I've used YouSendIt in the past and I have to pay to join now.

Third's a charm...I hope....

add:

Bah!  It just bounced back too from their Mailer-Daemon.  Looks like it wouldn't fit either even though it shows only 15MB.  That 25MB limit (which is really only 20MB - and a lot less than that in real life!) is a joke.  For some reason even WinRAR compressed, it acts as if it is 3KB over their limit.

I give up.

Mack

Been using it for years....

The file attachment might be smaller but you have to add the baggage of the email itself.

Do you use Yahoo Instant Messenger?
We can send huge files via YIM
Fred