Panasonic GH2 RAW Color Rendition

[cameraGreg]

Overall, I am quite impressed with what I've read about the Panasonic GH2 except for its color rendition in some circumstances (for example hue accuracy here: <http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DMCGH2/DMCGH2IMAGING.HTM>).  Being an owner of an LX3 that sometimes renders RAW images with a weird blueness to the sky that I've had a hell of a time tweaking to make look "right" in Lightroom, I have some caution in buying a GH2.

I'm wondering what folks experience is regarding GH2's color rendition in RAW files and how problematic/easy to correct it's been.  Do you find this to be a problem, and if so, how big an issue is it?

I realize and accept that RAW files always require tweaking to bring out their potential, but I don't want an inordinate amount of tweaking in the computer - I'd much rather be out shooting!

Thanks for any insights,

Greg

[jaapb]

Greg,

The test you refer to was done with a pre-production camera. Anyway when you process raw files of any camera in Lightroom or Camera Raw I 'd recommend you make a profile with the Xrite colorchecker passport for your camera.
It is my experience that these profiles made for a specific copy of the camera visibly improve color rendition. My GH2 definitely rendered better color with a custom profile, not that the standard profile is bad but the custom profile just looked better.
Just try it for your LX3 and chances are your blues will be much better. You can make profiles for various lighting conditions (for example flash, daylight, overcast) and the colorchecker is very compact so you can carry it with you to make profiles for even more different lighting conditions.
Obviously raw files need tweaking in the raw converter, but these profiles may give you a head start.

Jaap

[aduke]

Greg,

The test you refer to was done with a pre-production camera. Anyway when you process raw files of any camera in Lightroom or Camera Raw I 'd recommend you make a profile with the Xrite colorchecker passport for your camera.
It is my experience that these profiles made for a specific copy of the camera visibly improve color rendition. My GH2 definitely rendered better color with a custom profile, not that the standard profile is bad but the custom profile just looked better.
Just try it for your LX3 and chances are your blues will be much better. You can make profiles for various lighting conditions (for example flash, daylight, overcast) and the colorchecker is very compact so you can carry it with you to make profiles for even more different lighting conditions.
Obviously raw files need tweaking in the raw converter, but these profiles may give you a head start.

Jaap

I have had the same experience with a Canon 40D. Using a custom DNG profile gave vastly different and better colors than any of the LR built-in profiles.

Alan

[cameraGreg]

Thank you for the excellent advice Jaap (and supported by Alan).  I've often wondered about getting the colorchecker and have now decided to order one.  Looking forward to better pictures and easier workflow.

Cheers,
Greg