ex converter colors

[Linda G]

Sorry, forgot to attach sample.

[Linda G]

Well, the computer got ahead of me.

I thought I had posted the question without the image but it apparently didn't post....and now there's just the image.

On to the problem:

I use the Fuji EX converter on my RAF files and can't duplicate the original colors. I tried all three options, leaving the camera settings and the closest I can get is with the 8 bit conversion.

Any comments? Short of investing in a new program to convert. I'm waiting for Chris Breeze to get on track with Fuji and add the S2 to his BreezeBrowser program.

[Linda G]

I don't understand then, when converting in ex, you are shown an image and can manipulate white balance, curves, temp, etc...is this not the base image you should get with no manipulation?

I would assume, with no manipulation, you would get the same color temps you see in the preview. Whether the samples I show are too hot for some tastes is still missing my problem...should I not see an image that will be the end product?

[Tom Nolle]

The image you see in the EX preview is the image "converted" with whatever settings come up, before you change them. Usually they're the last settings you used. The image you see in the FinePix viewer before you invoke EX is the jpg preview image stored "as-shot" meaning with the camera settings you selected.

Tom

[Linda G]

Thank you, that makes sense, but it still doesn't make sense, to me, anyway, to have the jpg look so different.

[S_Leeper]

I have the same issue, where the imbedded jpg is just what I want (or very nearly so), but the conversion, even with camera settings is not quite the same.

I know you have your screen, whereas I did not until about 9 months ago... that helped a lot.
I have found that I usually have to adjust exposure +1/6 or +2/6... don't know why (probably need to recalibrate) but at least its working now...

[Linda G]

Thank you so much for your time.

Unfortunately, I figured as much, it's a solution only Fuji could give and they don't really think they see a need.

I do usually only use fine jpg because I don't like the conversion program. I only shot raw with my Canon because I had a great, economical program to use to convert.

I imagine the day will come when I have a better program for conversion and will go back to using raw more.

Thanks for your help, again, everyone. I still wouldn't go back to Canon as the end color from Fuji beats all other cameras for my use.

[Philippe]

Linda,

When you look at your images in FinepixViewer, the Raw file and the Tif file converted with Raw File Converter don't have the same color profile. The jpg image used to show what is in the Raw file is a much compressed image and it seems impossible to keep the same quality between the small jpg and the big Tif image that comes Raw File Converter.
Philippe

[wmercado]

Clearly, the in-camera processing different tone curves and colors than the equivalent settings in EX. This is very unfortunate as the in-camera processing of color and tone curve is much more pleasing than those produced by EX. In specific, I find that the images processed by EX tend to have much more contrast and less brightness than the in-camera ones. I have no idea why Fuji would use different settings for their raw converter.

When people rave about the S2's color, its due to the images produced by the camera. Yet, these same colors can't be duplicated from the converter using the standard settings.

I find that when using EX, none of the supplied tone curves give me what I'm looking for. Therefore, I usually use a custom curve. For, the color setting I use standard.

Of course, nowadays I use CS ACR almost exclusively. Although it's color don't match the in camera's colors either, I find its color much more pleasing than EX's.

[Rockyw]

We found a quick easy way to set colors in EX. Just shot a gray card. We take a gray card to every job. We have one for our studio and one in every bag. Bring in the gray card, click on it and convert away. It's been a great time saver and improves quality.