D200 - Convert to DNG via Lightroom!

[srwatters]

Just checking on ACR 3.3 progress and came across a note where you can import your D200 NEF files into Lightroom as DNG. Then those can be processed via ACR... Of course you must be running a OS X 10.4 Mac, but... I'm testing it right now

[engstrom]

Great - let us know how it goes. I'm interested in seeing if you can get your usual excellent results using this process.

[jeffkohn]

Pretty cool, at least you get your ACR back. Of course Lightroom itself uses ACR under the hood although from what I've seen in reviews the "Develop" module is not exactly the same as ACR 3.x as far as features and interface. The crop tool is missing but it looks like there's some other pretty neat stuff for split-toning, etc plus a new hybrid curves/layer tool and some other goodies. Might be worth checking out, I'd be interested to hear your impressions.

For those interested who are stuck waiting for a Windows beta, the guy at Luminous Landscape released a pretty in-depth preview. He's apparently been testing it for a while now as an alpha tester before they went public with the beta. Judging from his preview Lightroom looks very promising as a front end for culling/organizing and applying ACR settings.

[eurotrash]

can someone post the link to download the beta version of lightroom so i can tell the schlady to get it.

[jeffkohn]

http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Pretty cool, at least you get your ACR back. Of course Lightroom itself uses ACR under the hood although from what I've seen in reviews the "Develop" module is not exactly the same as ACR 3.x as far as features and interface. The crop tool is missing but it looks like there's some other pretty neat stuff for split-toning, etc plus a new hybrid curves/layer tool and some other goodies. Might be worth checking out, I'd be interested to hear your impressions.

It's been a crazy day here. I wrote this message once as the server was whacked and it never posted so I'll try again...

I haven't used the develop module at all. All I did was imported the NEF files into the library as DNG then turned around and exported them out as DNG. All I see different is the size changes from 15MB RAW uncompressed to 10MB compressed DNG. I then opened a file in ACR and bingo! D200 data in ACR. WOOT! Only problem is the process is much slower than I want. It takes 30 seconds on the import and 30 more on the export per image. Still faster than CaptureOne.

So then I ran the ACR calibration script to generate some numbers. Interesting that the image I shot claims to be underexposed by 0.84 stops. I used my sekonic meter all over the card and got consistant f/11 readings at ISO 200 (I did this to compare to the D70) then set the D200 in manual mode at f/11 ISO 200 1/250 and fired away. Is my meter that far off? Jeff, help me out here, what am I doing wrong? What about the difference between D50 & D65? I'm confused

I've uploaded some data if you want to take a look:

Original NEF - http://www.polodigital.net/images/D200/GMB-D200-001.nef
DNG file made by lightroom - http://www.polodigital.net/images/D200/GMB-D200-001.dng
ACR script numbers from that image - http://www.polodigital.net/images/D200/ACR-D200.rtf
Patch read output using the image - http://www.polodigital.net/images/D2...thPatchLog.txt

[PeteQ]

Ahhh... I see a wonderful mini-seminar in the making for the little Nikon equipment check-out Evil mentioned. Calibrate our meters, Jeff can help us with the ACR script..... <insert arm twisting here>. Evil...Are you getting all this down?!

I played some more with Lightroom and I do think it will be a nice front end to PS. Another wish is that it would directly import into PS as a native file instead ot TIFF, or at least offer the choice. Maybe it will when it goes V1.0. For me I want to learn as much about its cataloging capabilities. I really need to start paying closer attention to the mound of images I am building up. Extensis, etc. are nice, but to have a program that is using the same RAW conversion scheme, etc would be a bonus. Heck, just auto updates alone would be handy! Once I get a good catalog program I can really do some cleaning! As I said before about Lightroom, I am hopeful.

[jeffkohn]

Hey Scott, I'll take a look at the files you posted later tonight. In the meantime I'd say that calibration script numbers with Exposure at +.85 probably aren't going to be optimal. The best way I've found to meter the test shot is to spot meter from the white square and shoot 2 stops over the meter reading, bracketing +/- 1/3 stops and picking the one that gives me a reading around 240 for the white square in ACR. Of course that's shooting in available light, your metering situation is a bit different with strobes and a handheld meter. If you search the web you should be able to find some articles about calibrating your handheld meter to your camera, that's not something I've really messed with so I can't give you specific advice there.

As for the D50 versus D65 choice in the script, I'd stick with D65.

[evil4blue]

Scott,

I'm running the cal script on your DNG as we speak and I'm indeed getting a +0.8ev exposure. My numbers are a little different then yours, but I run the script settings a little different then Jeff (I think). I use D65 and StdDev as my metric. Seems to give me the best, consistent results. I'll post my numbers once the cal is done.

[srwatters]

Thanks Stevevil. I'll have to re-shoot the target though. Have you shot a NEF of your target yet? I can always convert it to DNG for you

[evil4blue]

Here's my patch checker file. I took a quick and dirty snap of my color checker, nothing special. Do you have a spot I can upload it to?

[acer0001]

Too bad no Windows version yet...

[srwatters]

Just finished a GREAT shoot with a new model and I'm beat. I'll give you the upload site tomorrow. Now I need to sleep!

BTW, my meter SUCKS! I'm buying a 358. This toy is reading at least 2/3 of a stop too low all the time. Even with new batteries. I should send it in for repair. Maybe I can get a discount on a new one (ha ha ha).