Fuji X-Trans raw files: any suggestions for Lightroom sharpening settings ?

[AndyWatson]

Does anybody have any good starting point suggestions for Lightroom 4.4 or Lr 5 sharpening settings for Fuji X-Trans Raw files to avoid what is described as 'watercolour effect' on some forums.

Or should I be using the very nice JPEGS, converting them to TIFFs and using the TIFFs in Lightroom ?
Or possibly using Irident or Capture One ?

I'd be grateful for any workflow suggestions.

[maxgruzen]

Andy you need a book about digital photography processing. I recommend Jeff Schrewe's book the" Digital Negative"".It will teach you about JPEGS, RAW and Tiffs files. There is an excellent treatment on Lightroom sharpening. This is the way to go if you really want to learn what its all about.

[RFPhotography]

Based on the bit of reading I've done since getting my X100s, it isn't sharpening that causes the effect. It seems that the cause was a less than optimal demosaic of the X-Trans sensor.  The latest versions of LR and ACR have much improved conversion of the X-Trans raw images.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/1550547764/adobes-fujifilm-x-trans-sensor-processing-tested

http://www.fujirumors.com/feedback-lightroom-4-4-and-acr-7-4-release-candidates/

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1192907 - scroll to the bottom of page 1 to the rock image.

Having gone through my initial captures, I found that settings of 45, 1.3 and 45 were good starting points.  That will differ based on the content of the image, of course.

[Ken Bennett]

I am finding that I want more sharpening for my XE1 raw files than my other cameras. For most cameras I start with the Lightroom presets for portrait and landscape files, then tweak as needed -- the Fuji files get 10 or 15 more units of Amount and usually a little more masking.

[W.T. Jones]

I have found that often a bit higher radius is helpful for many Fuji X files. where I would use say .08 I am finding 1.2-1.3 is a better choice sometimes, not always. I tend to start at sharpen 55, radius 1.0 & detail 50. I enlarge an important area up to 1:1 and adjust the sliders to get my best result. I use masking & a tip from Jeff Schewe to use that luminance NR slider as part of the sharpening when appropriate.

[AndyWatson]

Many thanks to all for the really helpful responses. Bob those references were very helpful and yes I'll re check the Jeff Schewe luminance NR advice
on the Lr Advanced Guide video and in the book. WTJ and K Bennett thanks also. I will feedback if I come to any additional conclusions after my
first Fuji X Lightroom upload. Thanks again.

[Alan Smallbone]

Bob and W.T. Jones have given some good advice and my settings are similar to Warren's setting and findings. I also agree Jeff's book is worth the read. You might want to try the trail of Capture One, I like the initial output a bit better than Lightroom, although I find the Lightroom DAM to be easier for me since I am used to it.

Alan