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Raw files

raw nef dark darkening

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10 replies to this topic

#1
Oric Man

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I've had an issue with processing Raw files. When I import them iunto Lightroom, they look OK - similar to the Jpeg - and then they become darker. It's a bit of a pain as every time I have to brighten each photo.

 

I thought this was somethign to do with Lightroom, but I've got a Win10 computer now and I can view images with Quicklook app. This also views  Raw files. I shoot Jpeg + Raw. So I look at the photo with Quicklook. Jpeg, then Raw. They look the same. Then the Raw file becomes darker after a second or two - just like it does in Lightroom.

 

I can't figure out why it does this. I can't find any setting that might make it go dark. I know Jpegs are different, but it starts out like a Jpeg then seems to get altered.

 

Is this normal, or something wrong with my camera or settings?

 

It's a D5500 with sRGB setting. Jpegs are on Standard. No addition stops added.

 

There's a few others asking about this online but no real answers.



#2
Merco_61

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The embedded preview in a .nef file is processed using the jpeg settings in the camera. This is what you see at first. Lightroom and Quicklook don’t apply these settings. 
 

Do you have Active D-lighting on in your camera? This would explain the consistently darker rendering.

 

The only raw converters that start out from the in-camera settings are Capture NX-D and NX Studio. 



#3
Oric Man

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Active D-lighting is on Auto. I'll experiment with it off.

 

The image I see first appear like the Jpeg then it seems to be stripped of the Jpeg processing to show the Raw.

(Ellinor - I'm not editing Jpeg in Lightroom. Just comparing Jpeg to Raw.)

If the Jpeg is so much brighter, is the camera routinely taking under-exposed images?

 

I took some shots in low light and a couple of them are actually brighter in the Raw than the Jpeg. Not sure in that case why the Jpeg is making the image darker(?)



#4
Merco_61

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As the DX 24 and 20 MP sensors are nearly ISO-invariant at normal light levels, Nikon have chosen to protect the highlights using an exposure bias in the raw filés rather than produce neutral exposures. In low light levels with a higher ISO, the sensor is less invariant and the exposure bias shifts, especially if you use Matrix metering.
 

If you want to get more from your raw files, either Nikon’s own free raw converters or a professional tool like PhotoNinja will use more information from the raw files than the Adobe apps.



#5
Oric Man

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Turning active D lighting off seems to stop the issue with the viewers on computer but it doesn't seem much different when processing. The pictures import and then go darker, so each one needs brightening up to get to where the jpeg is.



#6
Merco_61

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If you want a starting point that is closer to the JPG, try NX Studio. This is both a viewer and a raw converter in one application.

#7
Oric Man

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I've been trying it. It doesn't seem to offer as many options as Lightroom or Aftershot Pro.

It picks up Jpeg and Raw when I want just the Raw. There must be a way to filter out the jpegs?

 

Is has some good features, but you can't seem to control the highlights & shadows as well and there's nothing I can find like the clarity control that Lightroom has.

 

I probably need to learn more about it, but I'm not finding the Nikon software able to do much more than basic functions.



#8
g4aaw pete

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I've been trying it. It doesn't seem to offer as many options as Lightroom or Aftershot Pro.

It picks up Jpeg and Raw when I want just the Raw. There must be a way to filter out the jpegs?

 

Is has some good features, but you can't seem to control the highlights & shadows as well and there's nothing I can find like the clarity control that Lightroom has.

 

I probably need to learn more about it, but I'm not finding the Nikon software able to do much more than basic functions.

 

I agree that there are less features compared to commercial editing software, but as NX Studio is supplied free, it's still a very good tool.

 

As I'm purely a hobby photographer, it's ideal for my needs. 

Yes, Light Room is a good option, but it comes at an open-ended cost!



#9
Ellinor William

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Despite it being a great tool for amateur photographers, Lightroom isn’t completely flawless. Many of its users have experienced issues like RAW images becoming corrupt after editing, when trying to copy or import them to hard drive. 

Sometimes wrong application settings or corrupt file destination can lead to darkening of RAW images. This may help, Lightroom Corrupting RAW Images on Copy & Import (Solution) - Stellar



#10
Oric Man

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Thanks for the link. I'm not sure my images are corrupted. The darken of Raw images seems to be something to do with previewing as if it was a Jpeg and then losing the Jpeg settings to go back to the Raw data. It seems to occur in other previews so isn't just Lightroom.

(My version is an older one, so I don't have to pay this new subscription thing. )

Most of the time I end up with something that looks like the Jpeg (I shoot Raw + Jpeg so can compare.) So I sometimes think I'm wasting my time processing Raw. It does work well though when images are a bit under-exposed etc.

 

There is some open source software (Dark Table, Raw Therapee) or cheaper software like Aftershot Pro which I've tried but I keep coming back to Lightroom for its easier controls and easier batch processing.



#11
fallout666

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if do not shot raw then use Capture NX-D or free program gimp for editing. all ways shoot raw so keep setting you have and can make major change if makes to dark or to light. since keeps full info for you do change photo if your in wrong setting at time. i shot both raw and jpg. since if need to do quick post i have jpg if setting are right. if off then have to wait in till do full edit in lightroom or Capture NX-D when i had before lightroom. or get free program gimp that will work too. 







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