RAW processing in Nikon Capture NX-D. Introduction to the program and basic techniques

If your camera shoots in RAW, congratulations. You'll be able to get much more out of your photos than owners of compact cameras that can only shoot in JPEG.

This article does not claim to be a complete guide to RAW processing, however, in our opinion, it will be useful for those who have not yet paid attention to the potential of working with RAW.

RAW and JPEG, which is better?

Of course, it is important to understand that RAW and JPEG were originally created to solve different problems, so it is impossible to say that RAW is better than JPEG.

The JPEG image format was created in order to display the highest quality images possible. minimal costs memory. When shooting in JPEG, you immediately get a finished picture, which you can immediately send to a forum, website, etc. social network, and maybe in print. JPEG files take up relatively little space and are an unspoken standard for storing images in user albums.

The colors in your photos will be exactly as your camera's image processing system sees them. In the case of RAW, you will either have to resort to using a native RAW converter, or use correct profiles in software specially designed for this purpose. If there are no profiles (this is possible in the short term, for example, if your camera is new and the software manufacturer has not yet had time to prepare the correct profiles), the image parameters will need to be configured yourself.

It is important to know that absolutely all cameras shoot in RAW. It’s just that saving in RAW is blocked, and the camera independently converts the signal to JPEG using its own algorithm, known only to the developers. Thus, JPEG is the final result of image processing by a camera; this process occurs in several successive stages. This is what the image processing system does - this is what manufacturers now call a bunch of special processor, additional chips and software algorithms.

Knowing the love of photographers for shooting in JPEG, developers equip almost everything modern cameras, including mirror and hybrid models, advanced JPEG processing options. IN SLR cameras Canon is the Picture Style function, in Nikon DSLRs it is Picture Control, in Sony DSLRs it is Image Styles. In addition to several frequently used presets, you can configure all the parameters yourself.

Certainly, computing power and the intelligence of processing systems are constantly evolving. For example, the new processing system in Lumix cameras, called Venus Engine VHD, and the image processing system in Casio cameras are equipped with triple-core processors; integrated circuit Canon DIGIC IV complete fast memory and provides multi-channel reading from the sensor. Installing these two processors in the Canon EOS 7D camera made it possible to achieve a data readout speed of 144 MP/s.

Triple-core Venus Engine FHD processing processor

The software part is also important, and it is often based on extensive database typical shooting scenes. The camera compares the brightness composition of the frame with a database that already contains several thousand typical scenes, and uses the optimal shooting settings. When recognizing a certain color in a frame, such as blue sky, cameras increase the saturation of the blue color. It comes to the point that cameras take into account the time zone, as well as the date and time of shooting. Thus, your camera can, for example, when shooting sunsets, automatically increase the saturation of red and yellow hues, making the frame more “tasty” and the camera owner more joyful.

Unfortunately, often automatic programs malfunction or provide undesirable effects, greatly increasing/lowering the contrast or saturation of the image.

There are many situations in which shooting in JPEG is more appropriate. It makes sense to shoot in this format if you are sure that the photographs do not need significant processing when shooting large series (not the cheapest SLR models usually have a large buffer for RAW, and compact cameras and budget SLR cameras traditionally have a buffer for RAW no more than 10 frames in a series), and also when the memory card is close to full.

What is the path from the moment of shooting to saving the image to the memory card?

The signal received from the sensor is interpolated into RGB, the processor performs color correction in accordance with the white balance settings, and then applies color correction based on the saturation, contrast, and other color settings.

After this, the image processing system applies one of the special effects, if they were selected by the user, for example, a miniature effect, simulating the operation of tilt-shift optics, or fish-eye lens distortion. If special effects are not used, then, on the contrary, software correction of vignetting, chromatic aberrations and optical distortions is carried out.

By the way, it was these software methods that made it possible to reduce the cost and size of such popular cameras as Canon S90 and Lumix LX-3. To reduce the price of devices and their dimensions, manufacturing companies decided to abandon the complex optical design of lenses, which minimizes unwanted distortions.

Small dimensions and high quality pictures in Canon S90
made possible thanks to software correction of lens distortion

Finally, the camera applies user-specified sharpening or blur settings, noise reduction settings at long shutter speeds or high ISO, and only then converts the result into an 8-bit image, i.e. JPEG.

The saddest thing is that each stage of transformation leads to an irreversible loss of information in the photograph. And if the pictures are of a certain value to you, then it is very stupid to give all these stages to processing with a camera.

Shooting in RAW format allows you to edit an image in frames that are not available in the JPEG format. You can correct the exposure, white balance settings, sharpen and remove noise in the image afterwards. Roughly speaking, all you want when shooting RAW is to get a technically satisfactory photo. The rest can be improved.

RAW is a specific format that stores information about the signal captured directly from the light-collecting sensor without further processing by the camera. The data in a RAW container can be either uncompressed or compressed, lossy or lossless. However, even in the worst case of lossy compression, a RAW file contains significantly more information compared to a JPEG image maximum quality: 12- or 14-bit RAW files are much more flexible to user processing than highly compressed 8-bit JPEGs.

Almost all manufacturers have their own RAW formats: Canon has *.acr and *.cr2, Sony has *.arw, *.srf, *.sr2, Nikon has *.nef, *.nrw, Pentax has *. ptx and *.pef, while Samsung has *.srw. Many new models use Adobe-developed open format DNG (Digital Negative, digital negative).

RAW is a kind of undeveloped digital image. Although it is recognized by many modern viewing programs (with or without special plugins), it is not suitable for printing, and the file itself can be interpreted differently by different editors. For example, the same RAW is significantly different when viewed in ACDSee and Picasa.

The RAW format offers extensive post-processing capabilities within certain limits without loss of quality. All those operations that the camera processor does independently will need to be carried out manually. There is only one reward here - significantly better and more impressive photographs.

However, RAW files take up significantly more space, are 3-6 times larger than similar JPEG files, and conversion requires some knowledge and processing time. Fortunately, this process is quite exciting, and if you have in the source code good RAW, you will definitely be pleased with the end result.

RAW conversion using Adobe Lightroom as an example

We will look at RAW conversion using an example Adobe Lightroom version 3.2. This program deserves attention for several reasons: it is quite easy to use, is regularly updated and supports almost all cameras released that are capable of producing RAW files. The application is well integrated with the Photoshop family and is very functional, it is equally convenient when working with individual photos and a large number images.

Among the disadvantages of Lightroom, it is worth noting that it is demanding computing resources computer and the need to purchase it. The lack of a Russian-language interface also often scares away novice photographers. You can download the program on the official Adobe website.

Despite enough large number programs of this type, of which we would note the free RawTherapee, Apple Aperture, Phase One Capture One and Bibble Pro, the Lightroom app, in our opinion, is the golden mean.

All of these programs deserve attention, as they are stronger in certain areas. For example, Aperture is very easy to use, and Capture One gives best opportunities color control.

Loosely translated, the word lightroom is interpreted as a place for developing photographs. In principle, this is what it is - it is a convenient and powerful interface for developing RAW images and even working with JPEGs. The Lightroom application is a non-destructive image processing algorithm. Until the moment of conversion, the images entered into the program remain untouched, and preview effects and settings are available from the application cache. Each file is assigned a document with detailed custom changes, which are written into instructions and then executed when converting images from RAW.

This approach is quite convenient, and thanks to it, an endless history of actions with a picture or pictures is realized.

Lightroom allows you to synchronize selected settings for a group of photos, which is very convenient, for example, if you took a lot of the same type of shots and want to transfer edits to several photos at once.

The Library module is a feature of the program for cataloging images. We will not focus on it. We only note that frames can be sorted by creation time, title, shooting coordinates, lens, focal length etc. It is possible to create dynamic collections that are automatically replenished according to selected criteria, and much more.

The Library module is very powerful and convenient, as are the modules for preparing for printing (Print), creating slide shows (Slide-show) and publishing on the Internet (Web). Their description would be enough for another article, so we will pay attention to the most important module - the processing module (Develop).

At the very top is a histogram of the image by color and shooting information. The histogram can be moved with the mouse; certain areas of it are responsible for controlling exposure, dark and light areas of the frame. The histogram is quite visual and allows you to quickly correct frames that were not very successful initially.

It should be noted that all the settings follow a logical order, and if you are not quite sure what you want to improve in the photo, you can work through the settings from top to bottom.

Basic panel

White Balance. In this window, the user can select one of the white balance presets available in your camera, or entrust the choice optimal settings automation, which provides surprisingly high-quality results. If you are not satisfied with the settings described above, you can use the Temperature (color temperature) and Tint sliders.

The easiest and most convenient way to correctly set the white balance is to use the White Balance Selector tool (eyedropper), which can be used to specify a neutral tone in the photo, such as a white or gray area. This shows a highly magnified area under the eyedropper to help you more accurately select the correct neutral spot on non-uniform textures.

Exposure- one of the most important tools in conversion. It is with its help that the initial “pulling out” of details from incorrectly exposed photographs is carried out.

This parameter sets the overall brightness of the photo and its white dot. If you hold down Alt while working, the areas of the frame that are knocked out in the light will be highlighted, i.e. they will not contain any information except pure or almost pure white. If there is no artistic intent in this, it is worth trying to return the details lost in the lights. This also applies to bright whites. wedding dress, and to the texture of the clouds in the sky.

Tool Recovery called upon to help us with this. It removes overexposure precisely in in the right places, almost without affecting the rest of the photo. If you have done color correction before, after Recovery applications There may be a slight gray veil in the photo or the colors may change slightly.

Tool Fill Light(fill light), on the other hand, increases the brightness of dark areas without affecting the light areas.

If Recovery can almost always be turned up to the maximum, then with Fill Light you should be careful - the unnatural brightness of dark areas can give even a good picture a flat and unnatural look. Both tools help get into the histogram, and their judicious use can be considered a slight variation of HDR, high dynamic range images.

Parameter Blacks sets the black point of the image.

Parameter Brightness many people consider Fill Light a clone of the tool, but this is not so - it changes the brightness for the entire tonal range of your photo.

Parameter Contrast is responsible for the contrast of the photo. Lowering the contrast makes the tonal transitions softer, while raising the contrast makes the tonal transitions sharper.

Three interesting tools are in the subblock Presence (appearance), and changing them greatly changes the photo itself.

Tool Clarity affects the micro-contrast of the image, namely the smoothness of contrast transitions, such as edges and contours of objects. Increasing the value of this parameter creates the feeling of a sharp frame, while lowering it creates the effect of a soft, almost out-of-focus image.

Tool Vibrance- This is perhaps one of the most effective, simple and favorite Lightroom tools. Following its success, Adobe introduced a similar tool in Photoshop CS4. Vibrance is smart function increasing saturation. It does not affect already saturated colors, but selectively and non-linearly increases the saturation of dull shades. This approach allows you to avoid oversaturation, loss of shades and various artifacts in the image. In addition, Vibrance selectively increases the saturation of skin tones and prevents people's skin from turning into a yellow-beige substance.

Tool Saturation increases the saturation of all colors at once. A slight increase in saturation together with the use of Vibrance will allow you to obtain even more juicy and bright colors. However, you should use Saturation carefully; you should not turn the parameter value to maximum.

Next block - curves. The tone curve in Lightroom is used to adjust the contrast in a specific range of tones. Even though it is very powerful tool In terms of image enhancement, we will not consider it for now, since it is quite complicated for beginners, and the best way to learn it is to simply experiment.

Color correction block

This block is intended for correcting hue, saturation and brightness (luminosity) of individual colors. The colors are initially divided into several shades: red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, violet, purple.

On each options tab Hue(tone), Saturation(saturation), Luminance(brightness) there is a list with sliders to control each color. However, the most convenient way to make selective color correction is to use the dot tool. All you need is to move it to the desired color in the frame, for example to the sky, and hold down the mouse button and move it up and down. The result of the application is immediately displayed in the photograph, and this approach makes working by eye very convenient.

In mode Grayscale You can also vary all the colors in the image and use the dot tool.

Split Toning Block

This block will be of interest to people who want to achieve creative processing comparable to effects such as sepia or imitation film colors. Here, separate tinting of light and dark areas of the image with a certain color is available. We invite you to experiment with the block yourself.

Block Details(detail) includes two very important points- Sharpening and Noise Reduction.

Tool Sharpening is responsible for increasing the sharpness of the image. It works on the same principle as the Unsharp Mask tool in Adobe Photoshop. This tab contains an image fragment at a scale of 1:1 and algorithm settings - Amount, Radius, Detail, Masking.

Parameter Amount is responsible for the intensity of the sharpening algorithm.

Parameter Radius is responsible for the thickness of the area at the boundaries of objects in which the algorithm will work. For modern SLR cameras with a resolution above 10 megapixels, the recommended values ​​are 0.8-1.

The utility has a typical design, characteristic of many well-known programs for processing multimedia files. The ViewNX shell is made in dark gray tones, the window is divided into several sections: the toolbar, the main menu, the explorer and the material preview area. Initially, the program was created exclusively on English, however, ViewNX 2 is provided, using which you can make the work easier for Russian-speaking users. The design of the editor is ergonomic, so even a novice user should not have any difficulties while working with it.

The software product has a number of useful tools typical of professional multimedia editors. ViewNX features are very diverse: customizable work areas, professional correction images, support for RAW and NEF formats, advanced printing settings, marking and rating files, sending video material to the cloud and much more.

ViewNX Features

• Intuitively clear interface program shell.
• Customizable workspaces.
• Integration with myPicturetown (remote file storage).
• Extensive base of tools for material processing.
• Fine-tuning photo printing parameters.
• Ability to work with ViewNX 2 in Russian (there is a localization tool).
• Working with RAW and NEF formats.
• Export and import files.

Based on the information described, we can conclude that ViewNX 2 is a valuable tool for custom settings and editing photos and videos taken with a camera. It is perfect for novice users.

Available on many modern amateur and professional digital cameras in which, along with special software on a PC, post-processing is available RAW files.

Are you new to photography? Learn how to process and edit raw images from your DSLR for best results.
Shooting digitally negative is one of the the best ways Complete control over your images in post-processing.
RAW is the image that the camera sensor sees. Think of it like a raw film. Instead of letting the camera process the image for you, turning it into a JPEG image, shooting in raw mode allows you to process the image to your liking.
Applying adjustments to a raw image is a non-destructive method of editing your photos, unlike JPEG editing.
Do you want both? Some digital cameras allow you to shoot in RAW+JPEG, capturing the raw image while simultaneously processing the image into JPEG for ease of use.

Processing RAW files using an example

What do you need
1. Digital SLR or mirrorless camera,
2. Imaging software such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or the software that came with your camera. Read about tools for processing digital negatives in Lightroom.
Remember that not all source files are created equal, as different manufacturers will likely use their own proprietary file formats. For example, Nikon uses an extension. NEF, Canon uses .CR2 and Sony uses. ARW. Pentax typically uses the more open DNG or PEF format.
If you don't have a raw editing software license, there are also several web tools that can help, such as Darktable, Raw Therapee, GIMP...
For this tutorial we'll be using Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop CC, but the principles should be very similar for whatever editing program you use.
Basic settings
When you open your original image in Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw will automatically launch. The window will look something like this:
From here you can adjust values ​​such as exposure and temperature. Move the exposure slider to simulate the effect of adjusting exposure in a camera. The results will be automatically displayed on the image.
Note that when you adjust most of these options, the histogram will also change.

Restoring details in highlights and shadows

One of the most important reasons for shooting in RAW is the ability to restore image detail if something goes wrong. did you overexpose and there are white spots everywhere? You'll probably be able to get some of the details back from the raw file.
In the example above, you can see from the histogram that there are clipped highlights in the sky.

Moving the Highlights slider to the left will bring back detail that was lost from the overexposed sky. Additionally, image details can be restored by adjusting the exposure slider.
The same process can be used to bring back shadow detail in underexposed areas.
This image has a lot of detail in the underexposed shadow areas that can be brought back with a little tweaking.

To restore shadow detail, use the same technique as for restoring highlights. Just move the slider until you see the details appear again.

White balance correction when processing RAW files

Instead of setting the white balance value in camera, you can use any white balance setting when shooting raw data and then adjust it in post-processing. In the Camera Raw interface, select an option from the drop-down menu that in the best possible way suits your needs.
Camera Raw has another tool that lets you adjust white balance—the white balance eyedropper. At the top of the window, simply select the white balance tool and click on the part of the image that you want to be white. Camera Raw will then automatically adjust the color temperature to make that component white.

The examples above work with images with very obvious flaws. Sometimes there may be nothing wrong with your image, but it looks a little boring. Here's how to make a jpeg multiple simple settings from the raw file raw.
Below is the image obtained by changing all the camera raw parameters in the first tab. It looks good, but could use some tweaking using changes in other tabs (camera lens profile, noise reduction) to make it look even better.

First, let's increase the exposure and increase the contrast a little.
The image still looks a little better, especially when changing the white balance settings. We'll also take the opportunity to restore some of the lost highlights.
Finally, you can move the Clarity slider to the right a little. The clarity tool looks for the edges and determines the contrast of the middle. Use it sparingly for best results.

Once you've applied the basic settings, click "Open Image" to enter Photoshop and continue editing as needed.
This is basic step by step guide on editing raw images - take a deeper dive into camera raw settings soon.

Today, almost all SLR and mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, as well as some point-and-shoot cameras, can shoot in RAW format. This is a digital format with minimal data processing by the camera processor, thanks to which the photographer can gain more options in the subsequent processing of captured photographs. While JPEG is still the most popular image format, it is still a compressed format, meaning that every time you save a file there will inevitably be an impact on its quality. The RAW format is more in demand among professionals, as it allows you to extract as much information as possible from the saved file. Various software tools are used today to work with files recorded in RAW format.

Programs for converting RAW files can be produced by camera manufacturers, and in this case they are “native” for specific photographic equipment. Or such programs are developed by third-party companies as a universal tool that supports various models digital cameras and capable of solving a wide variety of problems when processing RAW files.

Universal converters have wider functionality and good processing speed. Each such program for converting files in RAW format has its own characteristics. For example, it stores its settings, temporary files, and user files in its own way. Converters differ in the quality of settings when processing RAW files, in functionality, and, of course, in ease of use. We bring to your attention an introduction to the most popular RAW converters.

The first on this list is a program designed specifically for the purpose of processing RAW files and cataloging photographs. In addition to full RAW support, the program also works with other common formats - JPEG, TIFF, PSD, DNG. Adobe Lightroom is a powerful “full-cycle” tool, meaning that once RAW photos are processed, they can be immediately cataloged and prepared for online publication or print.

The software engine itself used in Adobe Lightroom for processing RAW files is absolutely similar to that used in the Adobe plugin Camera RAW For Photoshop programs. Using this tool, you can perform regular color correction of a photo, remove digital noise present in photographs, or sharpen an image.

It is important that here, as in many other advanced RAW converters, the principle of non-destructive editing applies: information about all operations performed by the user is recorded in a service file. The original image is saved unchanged, so you can always return to the original when processing files. After processing the RAW file, you can simply save its modified version as a separate graphic file.

Certainly, Adobe program Lightroom is attractive not only for its fairly extensive tools for processing RAW files, but also powerful system Photo cataloging with separate tools for creating slideshows and web pages. Plus, the program has thoughtful integration with Photoshop, so after processing the RAW file, the image can be immediately, almost in one click, transferred to Photoshop for further work with him.

The program is one of the main competitors of Adobe Lightroom. It is also a “full cycle” program, offering the user not only an advanced RAW converter, but also tools for organizing and storing images, tools for processing and printing photos, creating photo albums and publishing pictures on the Internet. The program saves all images in one place (Vault), which makes the backup process more convenient. external drives and opens up the possibility of moving all file organization operations to Apple Aperture.

RAW processing-files is built on own engine, which is similar in quality to color recognition and other information to the original digital pictures often exceeds the capabilities of Adobe Lightroom. Apple Aperture is also more efficient in terms of the algorithms used to sharpen the image and combat digital noise.

This RAW converter boasts a very thoughtful and user-friendly interface, which makes working with the program comfortable even for beginners. Work with multiple files is well organized: images can be displayed on the screen simultaneously for comparison purposes, moved and scaled within the work area. At the same time, if in Adobe Lightroom it is possible to create presets (working modes of program settings that can later be applied to all images), then in Apple Aperture such an option is not provided. In addition, there is, naturally, no such convenient integration with Adobe Photoshop.

(Corel AfterShot Pro) can be called one of the “oldest” converters, because its first version appeared back in 2000. A special feature of this program is that it can work not only under operating system Windows and Mac, but also under Linux. Current version Bibble Labs Pro supports a large number of models of professional digital cameras and, along with RAW files, allows processing of images saved in JPEG. The advantage of this program is batch conversion - Bibble Labs Pro allows you to quickly process large volumes of RAW files with a fairly high-quality end result.

As for functionality programs, they are pretty standard. In particular, there are curves, the ability to adjust sharpness, exposure, white balance, tools for eliminating unwanted shades and adjusting contrast. To correct optical distortions, a special BPTLens Correction tab is provided, and the Noise Ninja filter is offered to effectively combat noise in a photograph. The program fully supports color management with the ability to create separate profiles for each digital camera. Compared to many of its competitors, Bibble Labs Pro has a relatively low license cost.

PhaseOneCaptureOne

Professional photographers will certainly appreciate a powerful and functional RAW converter that supports a wide range of modern cameras. It's called . This program provides all the features for single and batch processing RAW files, adjusting white balance, adjusting image sharpness and color temperature, as well as tools for effectively eliminating digital noise. Phase One Capture One supports a wide range of modern cameras and even provides the choice of scene programs traditional for many digital cameras.

Each camera model has its own ICC profile, designed to significantly improve the quality of processing RAW files while ensuring the highest possible color reproduction. Phase One Capture One is a targeted professional RAW converter that is designed exclusively for working with RAW and is in no way intended to replace graphic editor or a program for creating photo galleries.

Since we're talking about about a full-fledged professional tool, the program interface, as a result, is more complex and, in general, Phase One Capture One will require the user to have appropriate knowledge about the specifics of color processing. To work with this program, you need to have an idea of ​​what the final processing result should be and what tools should be used to achieve it.

Phase One Capture One allows you to optimize dynamic range by correcting details that are too dark or too light in an image. Using this program, you can correct chromatic aberrations, distortion, vignetting and other optical defects in the image. Those users who deal with large volumes photo images, you will certainly appreciate the batch conversion function in Phase One Capture One.

In terms of processing quality, work with noise and sharpness this program superior to many of its competitors. It should be noted that best results processing of RAW files is achieved in Phase One Capture One only when severe individual work with photographs, which requires certain experience and knowledge.

LightcraftsLightZone

Another “full cycle” program. When processing RAW files, it allows you to correct white balance errors, blur an area of ​​the picture or sharpen the entire image, eliminate traces of dust or digital noise that often occurs when shooting with high value ISO setting. This software tool also provides options for adjusting exposure, saturation, color rendering and white balance. All operations performed in the program are reversible, which always allows you to return to the original image.

Despite the fact that Light Zone is positioned by the developer as a professional tool, the program has a pleasant user interface. Thanks to this, even a beginner can easily understand the settings and functions.

A special feature of Lightcrafts Light Zone is the use of so-called “styles” of processing, each of which is not just a set of preset parameters, but a full-fledged algorithm automatic processing, taking into account the properties of the source file. In particular, there are such “styles” as High Dynamic Range (HDR processing) or Lomo Look (lomography). The program also contains unique tools Zone Mapper and Tone Mapper, developed based on the zone system of the famous American photographer Ansel Adams.

In addition to universal programs for processing RAW files, we can also note the popular “native” converter, which is designed to work with the format NEF images(RAW) created by Nikon digital cameras. This program allows you to carry out the entire image processing process step by step in NEF format and cancel changes made at any time while saving intermediate results.

The program interface is based on “control points” (U-point). At each such “point”, the settings selected for this area related to color correction are saved. The degree of parameter change is regulated by sliders located at the same “points”. These sliders allow you to make changes and immediately track them to the appropriate area in the image. “Control points” make it possible to repeatedly change certain parameters without affecting the original data.

Nikon Capture NX has software tools for correcting optical distortion (aberration, vignetting, barrel effect) and combating noise. The functionality of the program can be expanded using the Colore Fex Pro filter plug-in from Nik Multimedia.

NX2 2.4.3. The color it produces is exactly the same as the NX View, and exactly the same as the device itself. That's why I don't use all of this.

2.4.7 cannot differ in results from 2.4.3 This is just a bugfix. If there was any difference, they would call it 2.5, and if it were noticeable, then 3.0.

Well, yes. That's a whole 15 minutes of time to waste.

There is no such thing as “natural” color in an image for the simple reason that colors are formed in our brain, and not even in the eye. But there are such things as deliberate deviation from the truth and unaestheticism. That is, you have to dance from the opposite: not “this, that and so,” but, on the contrary, “not this, not that, and not like that.”

But in general, Nikon’s color is nothing like that. Not fantastic, but will trample for rural areas. I recently chose a point-and-shoot camera for myself and looked at a bunch of pictures from different devices, i.e. I have a good idea of ​​the “brand” colors of various photographic companies. At least the Nikonovskys are not outright bad. The same applies to NX/NX2/NX View converters. And the NX-D series, as far as I understand, was already made from Silkypix.

All absolutely converters (except RPP) have two disadvantages in one ratio or another:
- they are made by Asians;
- they are made without the participation of artists and other specialists in color aesthetics.

The first reason is physiological and social: Eastern people have a different body structure and a different culture. The second reason is already clear.

RPP was done by two old pictorial aesthetes of our origin, that is, everything is ok cultural values and the so-called "observation". Let's add to this a high technical level: one is a programmer, the other is a color rendering specialist. Plus, they built a workflow for processing analog photographic materials. And these materials, unlike numbers, have a principle of operation exactly like that of the human eye. Written for a poppy, because a poppy, unlike Windows or Linux, works with color. Moreover, they composed a prog only because they did not see anything on the market for myself suitable by color rendering. That's how much there is in one bottle. That’s why the product turned out to be completely different from any other converters.

Accordingly, to say that some converter is capable of producing results with the quality of RPP simply means to say that the converter is made in the image and likeness of RPP. But this, of course, is not true, because no idiot will make a second converter when the first one, to put it mildly, is not successful in the market. Precisely because it is not used because few people are interested in the aesthetics of color, and those who might be interested in it have already been spoiled by ugly color from printers, Internet sites and photographic equipment manufacturers.

Not everything is so bad, of course. Color rendering in lately began to pay more attention. Previously, Olympus was the only digital camera that did this (not counting the late Kodak), but now at least Sony, Samsung and Fujifilm have been added. And even Canon in its latest cameras began to produce something similar to color. Something already Nikon-like, but so far far from Sony and Fuji. At the same time, let me remind you that Sony and Fuj (as well as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, etc., etc.) are doing in Asia with all the ensuing consequences. But with converters it’s a mess. Let's just say, everything is MUCH sadder than with the Zhipeg from the cameras. And if with the chamber Zhipeg everything is not wonderful, then with the equalizer converters the situation is so close to a disaster that, in fact, it is.

With film the situation was initially completely different, because it was mandatory made with the participation of color specialists, and the leader of this film art business was, of course, Kodak. The figure was riveted according to the principle “it will do.” And it worked out, which is remarkable. All this, of course, is only a consequence of the general degradation of culture in the media. The principle of “people eating” has reached unprecedented heights. Of course, there are more high-quality images, but there are simply orders of magnitude more low-quality images, and therefore the percentage of quality has decreased.

To make it clearer what we have lost/are losing, here is the link for the umpteenth time

Well, for example: https://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=all&q=kodak+portra

What the hell is Lightroom? What captcha en x? What Instagram filters and film simulation? Is it possible for a cow to put on a saddle and ride on it in full battle gear?