sharpening in D70

[honda]

Hi i am a new d70 user. I need advise on using the camera's sharpening. Is it good to use it and what settings to use? Or use computer software to sharpen? I am not very particular about the results. Thanks.

[espn]

You can set to normal in the camera's settings and/or use Photoshop's USM to sharpen it further.

[crazypaladin]

Well, this is my personal preference and so it's really not the standard de facto.

It depends on what image files you are saving your photos into. If you are saving in JPEG, I would suggest setting sharpening to zero and let softwares do the sharpening as PS CS would do a better job to sharpen the images. If in-camera sharpening has been applied and the image file appears over-sharpen with grains like spot appearing, then you cannot reverese the process. However, with software sharpening, you can always undo without damaging the original files.

If you save in RAW, set the camera sharpening to highest cos you can always reverse the settings in software (Nikon Capture). The base image residing in RAW is always there just that the camera settings are saved along with the image and the Capture Software or Nikon View intercept the settings and applies them to the image output. You can tweak to any settings (white balance etc) to your heart's fancy and still have a chance to reserve these settings with a RAW format.

[espn]

Hmmm in RAW actually you set don't set no diff, normally for JPEGs me set to normal and then further USM if need be.

Do note that when you do resizing of images, you need to reapply USM again

[crazypaladin]

ESPN, I always notice you are surfing clubsnap almost 24 hours... skiving during job is it?

Just in case you accuse me of pot calling kettle black, I am on leave for 1 week.

[espn]

OT: Just hit office not long, common practice is to read newspaper, drink coffee, surf my forums then start work ma... anyway a lot of people still not in office yet

[crazypaladin]

I see... sometimes I also logged in during office lunch hours and already I see a lot of recent threads and replies from you...

Guess you really help your company maximize their unlimited broadband lease...

So can suggest where I can go to shoot? I will be Singapore-bound for entire week.... sianz...

[honda]

Can i use jpeg instead of raw if i am not particular abt post processing. I just use autoenhance in picture project. Is it good enough?

[crazypaladin]

It's good enough though satisfaction is not 100%. Also applying sharpening through PS CS would give you the total control.

[espn]

Choose the best format for yourself, there's no OK or NO to using JPEG/RAW

[ken00]

personal experiences:

jpeg: keep it at normal or sharper
in this case, you wont need to sharpen anymore in PS because jpeg uses only 8bit and any edition to it using PS for example might result in 'undesirable artifacts'

raw: doesnt matter but i keep it at no shapening
because most raw converter(uses the tagged sharpness information) and may sharpen accordingly. And if you sharpen again in PS, you might overshapen unnecessarily.

[seankyh]

Originally Posted by crazypaladin Well, this is my personal preference and so it's really not the standard de facto. It depends on what image files you are saving your photos into. If you are saving in JPEG, I would suggest setting sharpening to zero and let softwares do the sharpening as PS CS would do a better job to sharpen the images. If in-camera sharpening has been applied and the image file appears over-sharpen with grains like spot appearing, then you cannot reverese the process. However, with software sharpening, you can always undo without damaging the original files. If you save in RAW, set the camera sharpening to highest cos you can always reverse the settings in software (Nikon Capture). The base image residing in RAW is always there just that the camera settings are saved along with the image and the Capture Software or Nikon View intercept the settings and applies them to the image output. You can tweak to any settings (white balance etc) to your heart's fancy and still have a chance to reserve these settings with a RAW format.

Yes. I agree with that. Was at the zoo on Sat and had the change to come face to face with one of ah meng's kah kia. My sharpening was set to +1on the D70 and the hair on that orang utan did not come out right at all. I was using JPEG Fine. Next time, RAW RAW RAW!!

[honda]

Does it take a long time to do post processing? How do you store the images? What CF cards do you use?

[seankyh]

Originally Posted by honda Does it take a long time to do post processing? How do you store the images? What CF cards do you use?

Post processing does not take a long time. Speaking purely for myself, I find that only about 25% of my shots are worth the effort. (I'm getting better. Used to be worse!)

For me, I'm using Lexar X80 1GB and also SanDisk ultra 512MB. I store most of my images as they are (without post processing) first and then copy them to another folder for post processing. This is for JPGs. For NEFs, I will use Nikon Capture to adjust then save as high quality JPEG into another folder.

When it comes to backing up, I find that using a DVD Burner is essential. Use good DVDs only because the cheap ones don't last.
Hard Disks tend to die on you after not using it for a while. I have a external USB2 Hard Drive for quick backups. You can consider a combination of these options.

[rtbh]

Originally Posted by espn Hmmm in RAW actually you set don't set no diff, normally for JPEGs me set to normal and then further USM if need be. Do note that when you do resizing of images, you need to reapply USM again

can share what are the best setting for USM on a jpeg fine or raw image?(any diff?) i know there is no fixed setting, maybe depends on the picture, but maybe you can give a rough guide? thanks!