[Leica] Color Balance and DNG

[telyt at earthlink.net (telyt@earthlink.net)]

This discussion reminds me of the old saying:

>>>
A man [sic] who has a watch knows what time it is
A man who has two watches isn't sure
>>>

When all we had was Kodachrome we knew what color things were supposed to
be but now that we have multiple options for 'developing' RAW files the
'right' color is a matter of taste and interpretation.

Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Tina Manley images@infoave.net
Date: Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:54:59 -0500
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] Color Balance and DNG


LUG:

The comments on color balance being so subjective are very 
interesting.  On another list they are raving about a new Japanese 
raw converter - Silkypix.  You can download a free trial: 
http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/

It gives you several choices of color modes: Standard color, Memory 
color, Portrait color, Film color and Skin color.  And within each of 
those are several more choices.  Film gives you a choice of Velvia, 
Portra, Agfa, Kodachrome.  If you move your mouse over each choice, 
the photo you are working on changes instantly to a different color 
mode.  All of them are acceptable choices even though some are very 
different from the original.  Since converting does nothing to the 
Raw file, you can choose to develop the photo in any color mode you want.

Right now SilkyPix accepts most camera Raw files including Leica DMR 
but not M8.  This is what they have to say about DNG:

Adobe DNG Format
Basically, although this software doesn't reflect the setting values 
of the camera recorded in RAW data, it reflects the WB setting as 
much as possible.  Since we have little information about camera 
settings of some models, they are not supported.

10.4.5.2 DNG Files Available with this Software

In the DNG Standards, it is possible to contain RAW data with an 
array of various image sensors. However, there is a limit for this 
software when it handles DNG files.
In this section, we explain about the DNG files, which this software 
can develop.

1. DNG files with RAW format and Linear Raw format taken with the 
camera, which is compatible with this software.

In the case of the DNG files that are converted form the RAW files 
taken with the camera that is compatible with this software, it is 
possible to develop them regardless of a format type, not exclusively 
to the RAW format and the Linear Raw format
In addition to the color representation with this software, it is 
possible to execute the color representation on the basis of the 
color representation information contained in the DNG files.
Regarding the color representation on the basis of the color 
representation information contained in the DNG files, you can select 
it "DNG 
<file:///D:/Program%20Files/ISL/SILKYPIX%20Developer%20Studio%203.0E/manual/
man0006.html#070>standard 
color", "DNG 
<file:///D:/Program%20Files/ISL/SILKYPIX%20Developer%20Studio%203.0E/manual/
man0006.html#072>memory 
color 1" and "DNG 
<file:///D:/Program%20Files/ISL/SILKYPIX%20Developer%20Studio%203.0E/manual/
man0006.html#074>portrait 
color 1" in the color mode.
In the case of Linear RAW format, the parameters 
("<file:///D:/Program%20Files/ISL/SILKYPIX%20Developer%20Studio%203.0E/manua
l/man0006.html#093>Noise 
reduction" in the "Exposure" sub-control and "Demosaic sharp" in the 
"Development" sub-control) that affect the demosaic process cannot be used.

2. DNG files with RAW format taken with the camera, which is not 
compatible with this software.

In a case of DNG files taken with 3 color filters having Bayer 
pattern such as tetragonal array or rectangular array, it is possible 
to develop with this software.
The color representation is executed based on the color 
representation information contained in the DNG files.
This software (this version) does not support the RAW format with the 
array which is not explained the above. So you should convert them to 
the Linear RAW format.

3. DNG files with Linear RAW format taken with camera, which is not 
compatible with this software.

In a case of DNG files taken with 3 color filters, it is possible to 
develop with this software (There is a case that DNG files taken with 
the CCD camera of complementary colors system which has 4 or more 
color filters cannot be handled).
However, since the demosaic process has already been executed, the 
parameters ("Noise reduction" in the "Exposure" sub-control and 
"Demosaic sharp" in the "Development" sub-control) that affect the 
demosaic process cannot be used.
The color representation is executed on the basis of the color 
representation information contained in the DNG files.

When you develop the RAW data taken with the camera which has a 
special array such as a honeycomb array with this software, you 
should convert them to the DNG files with the Linear RAW format.

4. Compressed format

DNG Files with compressed format and non-compressed format can be handled.

The manual is extensive and difficult to understand since it is 
translated Japanese.  If anybody understands the above, please help me!

Tina

Tina Manley, ASMP, NPPA
http://www.tinamanley.com 

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