Picture Styles -- 5d2. Does this apply?

Hi Guys!

I have read and re-read the owner's manual pages 59-64 relative to picture styles on the 5d2. However, nowhere does it say if this in-camera "processing" applies when one is shooting in RAW. I shoot RAW 95% of the time and can't help but wonder if these picture style settings are applicable when shooting in RAW. After all, I always hear RAW contains no in-camera processing and what the sensor sees is what you get comments. That being said, does anyone know if the picture style (standard, faithful, etc..) functional while shooting in RAW mode?

IMO I'm hopeful it's not as I prefer to do all post processing myself, but do love the crisp sharp images I've been getting (camera set to default which as a 3 setting for sharpness) while shooting RAW.
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Regards,
Dave

Yes they do apply, try a few different settings and look at the images.

Unlike jpeg tho you can alter all the picture styles in the DPP software that comes with the camera, you can also download another set of picture styles from Canons website too.

So basically if shooting RAW it doesn't matter what style you choose in-camera as it can all be altered later on. Altho if you can't be bothered doing much editing then make sure you choose the picture style setting you prefer for each shoot.

If shooting video then set it to neutral and turn down the contrast and sharpness for best results.

It only applies in the preview you see in your screen. you can still change the file entirely. I use it when I shoot in raw plush jpeg. I often shoot in b&w jpeg, just so that i have a rudementary b&w
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/11731152@N00/

The picture style you select when shooting RAW will apply when viewing the image on the camera's LCD screen, and will then be the default style when the RAW file is put through whichever converter program you are using.

In your converter program you can however select whichever picture-style you want before converting your RAW file.

Personally when shooting RAW I always have picture-style set to "neutral" (so no sharpening is applied). That way when I check my image for focus on the camera's LCD screen I can be certain that the focus is correct, and that the image I see is not being affected by the in-camera sharpening.

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http://www.picturepunk.com

chrisinthesun said:

The picture style you select when shooting RAW will apply when viewing the image on the camera's LCD screen, and will then be the default style when the RAW file is put through whichever converter program you are using.

In your converter program you can however select whichever picture-style you want before converting your RAW file.

Personally when shooting RAW I always have picture-style set to "neutral" (so no sharpening is applied). That way when I check my image for focus on the camera's LCD screen I can be certain that the focus is correct, and that the image I see is not being affected by the in-camera sharpening.

Click to expand...

Good suggestion. I will need to try this, but I'm spoiled by the sharp images I'm almost afraid to do anything for fear of having images look soft. :-(
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Regards,
Dave

Not sure what everyone is talking about, but the Picture Styles settings do not apply to RAW. They are just that, raw and unprocessed. The Picture Style settings are saved in the EXIF data however, but are not applied to the raw data. Only the embedded jpg thumbnail will have the Picture Style setting applied. As for raw converters, only Canon's DPP will automatically apply the Picture style settings read from the EXIF, but no other raw converter will do this (that I am aware of). You are safe to set whatever you like in-camera without affecting the raw file.

The picture style you set on the camera WILL affect how the images are shown on the LCD screen of the camera, even when shooting RAW.

True, the picture style data is saved as seperate data (not "hard-coded" on the image itself). Coverters like DPP will read as to which picture style has been set for each RAW file.

Andre Affleck said:

Not sure what everyone is talking about, but the Picture Styles settings do not apply to RAW. They are just that, raw and unprocessed. The Picture Style settings are saved in the EXIF data however, but are not applied to the raw data. Only the embedded jpg thumbnail will have the Picture Style setting applied. As for raw converters, only Canon's DPP will automatically apply the Picture style settings read from the EXIF, but no other raw converter will do this (that I am aware of). You are safe to set whatever you like in-camera without affecting the raw file.

Click to expand...

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http://www.picturepunk.com

Yes of course because the on screen image is from the embedded jpeg which has the PS's applied like I said, but the OP wasn't saying anything about the LCD. He was concerned about affecting the raw data.

However your suggestion of using the picture style to indicate sharpening is a good one. I use that technique myself, however you do not need to have the PS set to Neutral to do so. You can adjust sharpening on any Picture Style.

Also you have to watch it if you have sharpening set to high and forget to reduce it if you decide to shoot jpgs.

chrisinthesun said:

The picture style you set on the camera WILL affect how the images are shown on the LCD screen of the camera, even when shooting RAW.

True, the picture style data is saved as seperate data (not "hard-coded" on the image itself). Coverters like DPP will read as to which picture style has been set for each RAW file.

Andre Affleck said:

Not sure what everyone is talking about, but the Picture Styles settings do not apply to RAW. They are just that, raw and unprocessed. The Picture Style settings are saved in the EXIF data however, but are not applied to the raw data. Only the embedded jpg thumbnail will have the Picture Style setting applied. As for raw converters, only Canon's DPP will automatically apply the Picture style settings read from the EXIF, but no other raw converter will do this (that I am aware of). You are safe to set whatever you like in-camera without affecting the raw file.

Click to expand...

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http://www.picturepunk.com

Click to expand...