In-camera RAW file editing

Dear All,

Hopefully someone can clarify this for me:

When editing RAW files in-camera (K10D), the Sensitivity can be adjusted from -2 to +2 (P.98/99 K10D Manual), but does this represent f-stops or EV steps (which are set elsewhere as 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV).

Thanks in anticipation,

Peter

Ev stops most likely.
I can't recommend editing in camera though, the screen is not 100% accurate and the editing options you've in the camera are limited and quite cruel compare to those on your PC.

As far as I know the K10D doesn't do In-camera editing on raw files.
It only edits the in camera created jpeg.(the one who makes it possible to view the screen at the back)

All the in camera settings like saturation, sharpness, contrast or sensitivity only effect the jpeg output(if chosen for) The PEF will be untouched.

Thanks Martin, I was referring (unclearly?) to the action of creating jpegs from the shot RAW files.

For some of my photographic subjects I just wish to keep a "record" shot, so I can't be bothered to use a RAW editor like Silkypix or Pentax Photo Laboratory.

The in-camera edit gives me the option to tweak exposure after the shot, though it doesn't seem to be a popular technique compared with PC edits.


Regards,
Peter

Simply because it takes more time doing it in the camera and the finall image is less then what you get from the PC, I would just shoot in JPG or RAW+JPG when you want a snapshot.

I tried it as an experiment and the results were pretty disappinting really, as Stefan says, nowhere near as good as what you can do on your PC simply because you cant really adjust anything.

Quite often I do shoot RAW+ because I can then upload all of a shoot to the client area of my website for them to view and select without having to convert every shot. I can then just work on the RAW files the client wants.

You must have a great confidence in your clients
Because you are putting online files in the wrong colour space, no ITPC, no Keywords etc.
I don't understand this work flow.

Going back to the original question, it could even just be an arbitary value rather than f-stops or EV steps. And it doesn't really alter the sensitivity (too late for that once the exposure is made), but boosts or reduces the contrast and brightness.

If currently it seems too much like hard work to use your computer instead, I can recommend Silkypix Developer Studio Pro to do a better job. It's quick and pleasant to use once used to its interface.

Maybe it is my old film-shooting sensibilities coming through, but I just dislike the concept of taking a picture and then having to make a series of further choices before acieving the end result.

I like to set the camera as best I can and keep that result. I do shoot RAW+jpeg and if the exposure looks ok, I will discard the RAW otherwise I tweak a little.

The in-camera edit produces smaller files which I suppose I always have in the back of my mind. I'm afraid Martin has used one of my pet-hate phrases as well- "work-flow".

Maybe I am a bit of a technophobe as I have not yet tried to master "stopped down metering" with my manual lenses. I tend to take a couple of test exposures and adjust settings until the histograms look right.

'Iceblinker', I do use "Silkypix Developer Studio 3.0 Free Edition" to edit RAW files on occasion and have Photoshop Elements 4.0 which I got free with an Epson scanner. Silkypix seems ok but I expect the functionality is quite limited compared with the PRO version. Can't "get into" Photoshop though!


Regards
Peter

If adjusting the "Sensitivity" after taking the shot, then you have made a further choice. If prepared to do that, you might as well use the computer for the sake of doing a better job, as long as that's convenient...

Silkypix's Free Edition is limited compared to the paid-for ones. Actually, the Pro version doesn't provide many more features over non-Pro version 4, but includes an invaluable automatic Dodge function that very effectively lightens the dark areas of an image without blowing the highlights.

The size of the JPEG files that Silkypix creates can be conrolled by the user. You can alter the type and compression rate to match the camera's if you wish.

Martin, it seems to work very well with the Photium powered website I have, I will email you a client address and password and let me have your very welcome C&C. However on re-reading my post I dont think I made it clear that I upload the JPEGS! I dont have to work on every file in ACR, only the ones the client selects. Keywords aren't an issue.

I had understood that Ken...about uploading the JPEG's.
But I don't understand the thought behind it....to shoot Raw + Jpeg.
And than upload the jpegs to your site and let the clients decide.

An example.
You have shot a wedding or something for some advertising firm.
You shoot Raw + jpeg with the intention to get the jpeg's fast on your site to let the clients choose which one they like.(these jpeg are in a unedited sRGB colour space and contain no ITPC or copyright.(but lets assume al your clients are trustworthy)

Now they pick certain files they like based on the colour information.(sRGB)
You are going to work on them in Adobe RGB or even ProPhotoRGB. You as a pro want as much as detail preserved to work on, right?

When you.... after your edits are done, deliver the client finals you must assume and expect the colour is off. Compared to the ones your clients decided on.

That can lead to misunderstanding.
Worst case scenario: Your client needs pictures he must put in a company brochure.
His editor starts working on the layout, colour fonts etc...based on your online jpeg's.
You deliver the client finals and there you go. Colours won't match anymore.
Two possibilities can happen now.
The editor decides to go with the unedited jpegs you delivered via your site anyway or hopefully goes into discussing with you about the change in colour.
So....where is the advantage found in this workflow?

But......maybe I am missing something.

To al large degree I tend to agree with Peter who is a believer of 'the shot' no matter how it turns out. However we all have to move as they say 'with the times'. And as we are all never too old to learn then lets make use of whatever technology, or better still 'advice' is available.


Regards


Paul

I see the in camera developer as helpful on the occasions when I can't get to a proper RAW converter, but in general not something I use.