Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Adobe Lightroom Q&A => Topic started by: photonico on June 14, 2012, 02:39:17 pm

Title: Capture sharpening on LR 4.1 for Nikon D800E - ideal settings ?
Post by: photonico on June 14, 2012, 02:39:17 pm
I was wondering which capture sharpening settings I should apply on Lightroom 4.1 for my new D800E.

I'm no expert in that field but assumed that having this special "E" model involves particular settings when dealing with capture sharpening.

My pictures are landscape with a lot of details, like grass, stone or cityscape. Am looking for a one size fits all kind of settings that I could apply on import on my images - at least a base setting that I could eventually tweak afterwards.  I have tried the "sharpen - scenic" preset but it's not doing much ; maybe because the original file is already tack sharp!

So your expertise is welcome !

And if Mister Schewe can chime in, that would ideal :-) I did buy & watched the new Lightroom tutorial but can't figure this one out...
Title: Re: Capture sharpening on LR 4.1 for Nikon D800E - ideal settings ?
Post by: madmanchan on June 14, 2012, 02:47:24 pm
No special settings.  For fine details, try reducing Radius from the default 1 to 0.5 to 0.7 (season to taste).  Try also increasing the Detail slider from default 25 to 50 or higher (depending on how aggressive you want to get).  Ultimately you'll have to tweak to suit your personal preference.
Title: Re: Capture sharpening on LR 4.1 for Nikon D800E - ideal settings ?
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on June 14, 2012, 06:47:17 pm
I was wondering which capture sharpening settings I should apply on Lightroom 4.1 for my new D800E.

I'm no expert in that field but assumed that having this special "E" model involves particular settings when dealing with capture sharpening.

My pictures are landscape with a lot of details, like grass, stone or cityscape. Am looking for a one size fits all kind of settings that I could apply on import on my images - at least a base setting that I could eventually tweak afterwards.

Hi,

I'm sure you understand that a one-size-fits-all setting doesn't really fit all. So I assume you'll settle for a reasonable default that's in the ballpark, which will allow a first judgement of image quality.

Amount: 40
Radius: 0.7
Detail: 50
Masking: 40

No-noise reduction.

However, this assumes optimal focus, with a good lens, at f/5.6, low ISO, correct exposure, and a linear tonecurve.
Optimal capture sharpening on the other hand, involves testing your specific lenses at a number of common aperture settings, and the general settings in the Basic panel will introduce non-linearities in the tone-curve response that may also dictate other settings, also depending on the subject contrast.

Cheers,
Bart