Z8 noisy RAW/NEF images in Lightroom Classic

[skyrunr]

I'm looking for some advice on finding a balance between RAW and JPG images in Lightroom (my second marriage.) I'm pretty experienced, so I know I could batch layer them in Photoshop with a transparency layer. I know I can use noiseAI as well, but I'm not crazy bout converting my RAM images to DNG's, and managing all that. I just need the right preset or something.

I've tried all sorts of adjustments in Lightroom to get the NEF to look a bit more like the JPG/NEF in NXStudio. Please see and reply in this post. I've included samples and the RAW images.

I'm pretty sure someone out there has been through this and addressed it by now. It should be the same for Z7II and Z9 images as well. Thank in advance for you help, and I hope this helps others too.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4716790

 

[skyrunr]

SOLVED, I missed the high ISO on this photo. It deserves NoiseAI.

 

[Horshack]

LR's default processing using the NEF-embedded processing "hints" makes it look pretty close to the OOC JPG without any work:

JPG vs NEF (LR automatically-applied hints from EXIF)

Nikon embeds metadata processing "hints" in the NEF's EXIF, which LR will use by default unless you've overridden LR's ingest defaults for all files or files of this type/camera/etc. The hint values Nikon embeds vary based on the ISO the image was shot with.

Here are the EXIF hints that were embedded for the above NEF:

Luminance Smoothing : 64
Luminance Noise Reduction Detail: 75
Luminance Noise Reduction Contrast: 0
Color Noise Reduction : 25
Color Noise Reduction Detail : 50
Color Noise Reduction Smoothness: 50
Sharpen Radius : 2.00
Sharpen Detail : 25
Sharpen Edge Masking : 0
Contrast 2012 : 0
Clarity 2012 : 2
Texture : 4
Camera Profile : Camera Neutral

 

[Ken Seals]

Have you tried the "Camera Standard" profile in the LrC develop module?

 

[Terrible Photographer]

I'm looking for some advice on finding a balance between RAW and JPG images in Lightroom (my second marriage.) I'm pretty experienced, so I know I could batch layer them in Photoshop with a transparency layer. I know I can use noiseAI as well, but I'm not crazy bout converting my RAM images to DNG's, and managing all that. I just need the right preset or something.

I've tried all sorts of adjustments in Lightroom to get the NEF to look a bit more like the JPG/NEF in NXStudio. Please see and reply in this post. I've included samples and the RAW images.

I'm pretty sure someone out there has been through this and addressed it by now. It should be the same for Z7II and Z9 images as well. Thank in advance for you help, and I hope this helps others too.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4716790

If it's any consolation, I struggle with clipping reds in Capture One, too.

But C1 color doesn't look anything like Nikon color, even using the Camera specific base characteristics.

 

[skyrunr]

I've always done -10 red luminance on my Nikon images. It is amazing what it is does. +10 tint more often than not too (fixes green cast.) I don't think I need to with the Z8. I need more head shots to prove this theory though. The images are pretty amazing so far, even compared to my Z7II. I'm laughing pretty hard at my user errors.

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[NeedMorePractice]

Use the camera profiles, as seen in the two screen shots below (click the four squares icon circled in red). There's also an option in settings to automatically have Lightroom apply the profiles upon import.

I personally find Camera Standard to be the most useful as a starting point, but there are several options.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

Also note

Lightroom profile, sharpening, noise reduction, and lens profile raw defaults for Nikon Z 9 RAW (NEF) files – Kevin Lisota Photography

RAW (NEF) photos from the new Nikon Z 9 change various default settings for profile, sharpening, and noise reduction in Adobe Lightroom based on settings made in-camera.

kevinlisota.photography

 

[skyrunr]

Also note

https://kevinlisota.photography/202...ction-and-lens-profile-defaults-for-nikon-z9/

That is a great article. I have most of those helpers (cheats) disabled, and my default preset calms Adobe's profile down a bit. Seeing it explained like that makes me feel a little more sane. I think the very first LR book I read (2.x?) said that any adjustment over 20 is extreme, and I always keep that in the back of my head.

When I first got my Z7II I went a few rounds with Adobe and Nikon support. I was tempted to create a ticket to both with the other's phone number. They need to coordinate a little better/more/if they do at all.

 

[flashpixx]

I've always done -10 red luminance on my Nikon images. It is amazing what it is does. +10 tint more often than not too (fixes green cast.) I don't think I need to with the Z8. I need more head shots to prove this theory though. The images are pretty amazing so far, even compared to my Z7II. I'm laughing pretty hard at my user errors.

you will find the Z8 doesnt have the colour cast issues of the earlier Z.

the difference between Z9 and Z6ii is quite perceptible.

i struggled with the Z6ii initially, then just ran the images through a preset in LRC