D2x curve v's D70 curve

[mickwhit]

Hi All,

After I was so impressed with my D70, I treated myself to a new toy and recently purchased my D2x (thanks again to Birddog). When I shoot with my D70 I use the Digital_Agfa_Optima.ntc custom curve and I am exceptionally happy with the vibrant colours that produces, so I thought I'd do a bit of investigating about D2x curves.

I did some searching on DSLR users and DP Review to find some specific D2x curves and didn't find much. Actually, I only found one curve and I will have to keep playing with it to see if I like it. Does anyone else know of any D2x specific curves?

I know fotogenetic did a whole heap of curves for the D70 but I was wondering, do you know if D70 curves can be used on the D2x and vice versa and what the results are like?

Regards,

Mick.

[mickwhit]

Further info on the D2x custom curve I found on DPReview which many people highly regarded.

File name: 060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski.

When I used NC4 to upload it to my D2x the test picture appears to be very high in contrast i.e. whiter than usual. However, I did only find this curve last night and haven't played with it much.

After further reading on DPReview I found out that it is highly recommended to shoot with a -2EV setting. Having read that I shot a couple of test images this morning and they look very nice indeed. I'll give it a further workout today let you know what I think and provide sample images.

My original questions still remain:

Does anyone else know of any other D2x specific curves (for landscape rather than portrait? and

Can D70 curves be used on the D2x and vice versa and what the results are like?

Cheers,

Mick

[LostDingo]

great info Mick

I'm very interested to see how it works with shadow details etc. Many of these curves appear to be aimed at wedding photographers and highly toward the "white" dress.

I don't do weddings so am interested in the everyday outdoors pics if you have any examples before and after

Paul

[Onyx]

I'd be interested in your impressions of Raszevski's curve Mickwhit, on both the D2X and D70.

Having read the hype, I tried the curve out on my D70 shooting in high contrast daylight, for which is was supposedly intended, to minimise post processing, and I was what somewhat disappointed. Mainly due to the variable nature of exposure compensation needed on a shot to shot basis. (commonly within the range of -0.7 to -1.3EV).

Although intended for portraits as a low contrast curve, I find the Provia (fotogenic's and D70 Knowledgebase's Provia_D70) useful in a variety of situations as well - for colour enhancing landscapes and general shooting. I've currently got Reala v2 loaded in my camera... I'm giving that a go as there seems to be a fan base of the curve too; but TBH I haven't had time to pick up my camera to go shooting in the past months.

[Alex]

Hi Mick and Onyx.
I've been using fotogenetic's P&S 4.1 curve for a while on my D70 and am quite happy with it. I used sReala v.2.0 too, but wasn't that impressed, so I went back to the P&S one.

Mick - I'm interested in the Agfa curve you mentioned. Could you point me to where you got it from? I'd really like to try it.

Thank you
Alex

[mickwhit]

Hi Guys,

I've taken a few test shots with my D2x on a tripod with my SB800 whilst only changing a few settings in the camera each time. Unfortunately they are not outdoor shots as I was disappointed with the ones I took yesterday, hence my indoor teddy-bear subjects today.

I was shooting in Aperture priority at f9 with EV at -2 (you'll see why in the custom pictures).

Picture 1.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 1


Picture 2.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


Picture 3.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 1


Picture 4.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


Picture 5.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 2


Picture 6.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


Picture 7.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 2


Picture 8.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


As you can see with the D2x custom curve by Andrew Raszevski it dramatically increases the EV. I'm still not quite sure about the curve I have tested as I think I need to take further pictures on additional subjects and landscapes. For my mind though this curve is predominately an indoor studio curve and as I found out yesterday, not that great outside on landscapes. I still preferred my Digital_Agfa_Optima.ntc custom curve in my D70. However, I have been informed that I cannot use that curve in the D2x.

More testing is in order I do believe.

If anyone is interested in the Digital_Agfa_Optima.ntc custom curve then please PM me.

Cheers,

Mick

[Alex]

Thanks for this tests, Mick. I wonder if you tried P&S4.1 curve and what you think of it?

Regards,
Alex

[Killakoala]

Of course, you could always make your own curve to suit your own style of photogaphy. If you shoot NEF, you will find it very easy to apply later during PP.

[mickwhit]

Hi guys,

I resized the same pictures from earlier today as I noticed they were heavily pixelated as I saved it with a very low resolution. my Sony! Must have been hard for all to see. Sorry bout that.

All images are the same with the same settings; they just have a greater resolution.

For Alex, I am not sure I have the P&S4.1 curve could you send it to me and I'll give it a go on the D2x and post results.

For KillaKoala, In time I may well create my own custom curve but at the moment I am just playing with my new D2x and I'm just trying to get a baseline for my photos before I start tinkering myself. Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks for all your replies.

Regards,

Mick.

[beetleboy]

I'm not sure that much of a comparison can be made here as the "Normal" curve images are underexposed..

I agree with Killa in that it's easier to just save presets in your PP software and recall them where needed.

[Nikon boy]

Have a look at the Lone Star Digital site and the settings used by it's owner, i use them on my D2X ( and on my D2H ) and they seem pretty well spot on for all types of shooting, even in jpeg, also i have just returned from a 10 day trip to Tasmania (only 3000 images !) and used these settings exclusively except for really bright scenes where i used a little -ev to battle blown highlights and i am happy with the way the colours/etc were recorded, i find the D2X rewards diligence in all areas of photo taking, just like a top of the line film slr with transparency loaded, and why shoudn't it ?, the camera is just so capable,but boy am i struggling to keep up !

[mitedo]

Hi i sometimes use SREALA V2 curve with my d70s not sure if its works with a D2X here's a link to the site

http://www.digitalkb.com/nikon/d70/tone ... ad_libary/

[mickwhit]

I'm not sure that much of a comparison can be made here as the "Normal" curve images are underexposed..

I agree with Killa in that it's easier to just save presets in your PP software and recall them where needed.

Hi Guys,

I've taken a few test shots with my D2x on a tripod with my SB800 whilst only changing a few settings in the camera each time. Unfortunately they are not outdoor shots as I was disappointed with the ones I took yesterday, hence my indoor teddy-bear subjects today.

I was shooting in Aperture priority at f9 with EV at -2 when using the Tone Compensation Curve 060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski.

Picture 1.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 1


Picture 2.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


Picture 3.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 1
EV = -2


Picture 4.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = sRGB and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)
EV = -2


Picture 5.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 2


Picture 6.
Tone Compensation = Normal
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)


Picture 7.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 2
EV = -2


Picture 8.
Tone Compensation = Custom (060606.ntc by Andrew Raszevski)
Colour Space = Adobe and
Colour Mode = 3 (increase in colour saturation)
EV = -2


For Beetleboy, I have adjusted the normal shots to show the differecnce between normal sRGB and Adobe to the D2x curve by Andrew Raszevski. I appreciate in time I will produce a curve that is specific to my needs and requirements.

Cheers,

Mick

[Alex]

Hey Mick,

How about that P&S curve? Any luck?

Alex