Optional picture controls

[pwoo]

If I shoot NEF, is there any advantage in loading the optional picture controls (e.g. portrait) to the camera? Or is it the same as applying the picture control in PP (e.g. ViewNX)?

Apart from one less step in the PP, I can only think of may be one reason. You can see the selected picture control effect on the screen (image review and histogram).

Regards,
Patrick.

[Mr Darcy]

I assume you are talking about the little picture icons on the mode select dial: the flower, person, landscape etc.

It varies.
These control an awful lot of variables. Contrast , Saturation etc These can be easily changed in PP, and in fact are just included as a flag in the NEF file. This is why they can be changed after the event with no loss of quality. With JPG on the other hand, the processing is dione in camera, and once set, never changed without degrading the image in some way.

HOWEVER
Some, if not all, these settings also alter the way shutter speed, aperture are handled for a given lighting situation. e.g. the sports icon will try to keep speed high at the expense of Depth of field. These will affect the NEF file in ways that cannot be altered in Post.

The question remains. Why do you want to hand control over to some programmer sitting in an office a long way from the scene you are recording. Yes he might get it right a lot of the time, but there will be times he won't. If you switch to the manual settings (I include M, A, S here) YOU are making those decisions for yourself. It becomes YOUR photo.

[ATJ]

Patrick,

The Picture Controls are more to do with determining how JPEG images would be processed in the camera and won't change the raw images. Information MAY get stored in the NEF file in a proprietary way so that ViewNX/CaptureNX can read it and apply to the raw image but I can't be certain. The best way would be to try some of the existing options and then see how they work with ViewNX or CaptureNX. If you use any non-Nikon raw processor it won't be able to read the information if it is there.

Greg,

I think you are talking about P&S mode options rather than Picture Control.

[scoobydoo]

I believe pwoo is talking about the picture controls on the nikon cameras lets you customise the degree of saturation, sharpness, brightness, contrasts and so on. This is probably more important if you shot in JPEG only. But if you shoot in RAW it doesn't matter, in Capture NX you can go back and apply a different type of picture control if you like. Most of the time I shoot in VIVID, but if I find it too saturated, I'd go back to Capture NX and select Standard. I guess thats one of the big benefits of shooting in RAW.

[Mr Darcy]

Greg,

I think you are talking about P&S mode options rather than Picture Control.

Yes I was and said so:

I assume you are talking about the little picture icons on the mode select dial: the flower, person, landscape etc.

The menu item you are talking about is called "Optimise Image" on my camera (D200). I didn't make that connection. Have they renamed it on later cameras?

If that is what OP was talking about, then I agree. It makes no difference if you are shooting NEF. They are just flags in the file & can be changed with impunity later. I never change this menu item. I have it dialed to my own custom setting (Sharp = -2, Sat = 0, Cont = Custom, Mode = II) l& alter things in post if I don't like they way they come out. I use Sharp = low as I prefer the way the Unsharp mask handles sharpening.

[aim54x]

I was a bit confused about the Picture Controls as well. Greg's interpretation is correct, ie the SCENE modes change the shutter/aperture as well (may/may not be a good thing), and at the same time the colour options are very pointless if you are using NEF.

However, if you are like me and shoot both NEF+JPG with the inclination of just handing in JPG's most of the time, using the colour settings will help.

[pwoo]

Thanks all for the reply.

The menu item you are talking about is called "Optimise Image" on my camera (D200). I didn't make that connection. Have they renamed it on later cameras?

Greg,
Yes, I think "Picture Controls" is the new term introduced in 2007(?). It's in D3, D300, D90, etc.

I found this link about it.
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/picturecontrol/index.htm

I was considering whether to uploading the optional picture controls (portrait and landscape) to the D300s, that's why I ask the question.

Regards,
Patrick.

[ATJ]

I was a bit confused about the Picture Controls as well. Greg's interpretation is correct, ie the SCENE modes change the shutter/aperture as well (may/may not be a good thing), and at the same time the colour options are very pointless if you are using NEF.

You have a D300 don't you? Read pages 148ff of the manual. Picture Controls are not the same thing as SCENE Modes (which as far as I can tell you don't get in dSLRs at least not on the D300). Picture Controls affect: Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, Hue, Filter Effects, Toning.

[Mr Darcy]

Picture Controls are not the same thing as SCENE Modes (which as far as I can tell you don't get in dSLRs at least not on the D300).

Andrew, Yes Cameron has a d300, but we don't know what Camera Patrick has. The DSLRs D70 through D90 have the Scene modes.
I have access to a D70s and D200. Neither mention "Picture Control" in this context. They use "Optimise Image". I guessed wrong about what Patrick was referring to.

Now lets leave this & get back to the original question, which I think has been answered anyway.

[J.Davis]

Patrick - I found the colours on the D300 where a bit washed out so I downloaded the two files that you refer to and am pleased with the results. Having said that - I shoot jpeg at the moment - and they are designed for that mode.
I believe when you shoot in NEF, you can controle all the settings in PP, so you shouldnt need any 'in camera' adjustments.

[gstark]

Jon,

Don't forget that you can fine tune your WB settings as well. You may find it worthwhile to have a play in that sandpit, and set your wb values to something other than the defaults.

[aim54x]

I was a bit confused about the Picture Controls as well. Greg's interpretation is correct, ie the SCENE modes change the shutter/aperture as well (may/may not be a good thing), and at the same time the colour options are very pointless if you are using NEF.

You have a D300 don't you? Read pages 148ff of the manual. Picture Controls are not the same thing as SCENE Modes (which as far as I can tell you don't get in dSLRs at least not on the D300). Picture Controls affect: Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, Hue, Filter Effects, Toning.

yep have a D300. I meant that Greg's comment was correct, not that SCENE = Picture Controls. I have to admit that i have not read the manual cover to cover

I found the colours on the D300 where a bit washed out so I downloaded the two files that you refer to and am pleased with the results. Having said that - I shoot jpeg at the moment - and they are designed for that mode.
I believe when you shoot in NEF, you can controle all the settings in PP, so you shouldnt need any 'in camera' adjustments.

Yep the D300 is no where near as saturated as the D60, but it is much closer to natural colours.