Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

  1. #1
    Wayland's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Saddleworth
    Posts
    482
    Real Name
    Wayland ( aka. Gary Waidson )

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    Following on from the thread "anatomising" my Morte Hoe shot I thought I would see what difference running the image through the new "Process 2012" Raw converter in Lightroom would make.

    Here Once again is the original file with some noise reduction and mild input sharpening as applied by default.

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    For comparison here is the old process 2003 conversion.

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    And the new process 2012 output.

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    Now we have the old finished result.

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    And the new finished result.

    Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    I'm not sure yet about the new version. I may have overcooked it a bit but I can tell that there is a lot more juice in the file and the lens aberrations are much better controlled.

    There was some colour fringing on the edge of the rocks that was a swine to deal with in the original but hardly present at all in the new file.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    17,660
    Real Name
    Have a guess :)

    Re: Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    My biggest issue with it is that it appears to add in a truckload of fill light by default. I've had a quick play with it, but have to say, I'm "uneasy" about it so far.

  3. #3
    Wayland's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Saddleworth
    Posts
    482
    Real Name
    Wayland ( aka. Gary Waidson )

    Re: Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    It would appear that process 2012 was designed to integrate with HDR files but maps LDR files in a similar way.

    Like you, I have my reservations.

    Intriguingly I find it handles the files from my 6D far better than files from my 5D

    I first got to grips with RAW conversion after reading Bruce Fraser's excellent book on the topic. I really miss his clarity amongst the writers that discuss the new process. Nobody seems to have nailed the workflow in the same way for me somehow.

    I do feel a bit like an experimental chimpanzee moving the sliders around on the new converter at times.

    It would be interesting to hear how people tackle the new controls. I used to go straight for the black and white points on the old process but that doesn't seem to be the best start point on "2012"

    I've tried various workflows but haven't found a reliable, intuitive method yet.

  4. #4
    Glenn NK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    1,510

    Re: Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    The major improvement that I've found of 2012 over 2003 is that I can recover shadow detail that could not be recovered before.

    This does not mean that one should always bring up the shadows or lighten them as much as it is possible, but the ability to do so is there if required or if it suits the aesthetic requirements of the image.

    Glenn

  5. #5
    Wayland's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Saddleworth
    Posts
    482
    Real Name
    Wayland ( aka. Gary Waidson )

    Re: Lightroom Raw process 2003 v 2012

    It's noticeable how much better the "Clarity" slider works as well.

    The old one used to leave you with horrible halos that didn't show up until further down the editing line.

    The new process seems much better so far.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •