Adam Woodhouse

Would different sharpening settings in LR result in LR looking closer to Capture One?

I have been using LR against my XT1 and XT2 raw files since I invested in the Fuji system 2.5yrs ago. I shoot 1/2 dozen weddings a year and other 'stuff', so I've gone through many thousands of images. I have never had a problem with LR processing my raw files and I think the majority of X-Trans users may be the same. NOTE ... I'm not talking speed/performance ... I'm talking image rendering. I have two different presets I apply to the XT1 and XT2 raw files when I import. They are what I consider my own default settings. This simply entails Astia colour profile and my own version of sharpening. These two (colour profile and sharpening) are mandatory. After that, what is applied is simply personal preference. I was curious if I was missing something so I recently downloaded the demo of X-Transformer and Fuji's endorsed Silkypix and the demo of ON1 RAW. ON1 RAW gave me trouble with the very first image I loaded which was an old Nikon raw file from D3s (when I exported it is when the problems showed up), so I never even got to playing with Fuji raw file. I just abandoned it. I opened a ticket with ON1 about it and they told me it is a known glitch in the recently released April 2017 version and they are working on a fix. With my test of X-Transformer and Silkypix I used the same Fuji raw file I shot a couple weeks ago of an Osprey bird flying into its nest with a stick as it was nest building. I shot it with XT1 and 50-140/2.8 @ 140mm. Image is very sharp (shutter was approx 1/1000, ISO was low and lighting was good). I applied 'fine detail' sharpening in Silkypix and exported to a TIFF. In X-Transformer I did two DNG files ... one with default X-Transformer sharpening, the other with no sharpening in X-Transformer. I then opened these 3 files in LR along with the original Fuji raw file, but with my preset applied to the Fuji RAF. But I then made all copies Velvia colour profile for this shot comparison. I pixel peeped quite a bit in comparing all 4 images in the side-by-side comparison feature in the Library module. I compared all versions against all other versions. I know that it is not an exhaustive test as I only used one image and each image opened in software has certain 'characteristics' that a raw processor could process different. But this was my first true test to see if something other than LR would show me more in this raw image. The end result of this one image was I could see no difference between the output of all 3 products. I was looking at the birds feathers, face, eyeball, the sticks of the nest, etc. This was simply my experience and why I think you don't hear more people clamoring over it. I'm not saying you aren't have a problem. I'm just saying that over the last couple of years Adobe has improved their x-trans processing and it may have reached a point that it only fails in certain images with certain characteristics that a very small percentage of the population would even notice.

Sweet!

Good tip. Thanks!

I downloaded the demo of X-Transformer and did a batch conversion with default settings to DNG then brought the DNG into Lightroom to test highlight and shadow and sharpening settings. Glad to see it was just like the original Fuji raw RAF file, except starting with a sharper image. I found I could then do a bit more sharpening in LR as desired, but less was needed than normal RAF processing since the image is imported already sharpened. It was pretty slick. I then tested same batch process with Fuji's endorsed (and free) Silkypix. It has a batch process as well, but the problem was I could only export as TIFF. So when I imported it to LR it was a baked-finished image, so I could not apply the colour profiles in LR. That had to be done before converting to TIFF (as it is simple to do in Silkypix). But I wanted raw capabilities to stay in LR since that is what I'm familiar with and fast at ... plus to jump around to the different Fuji colour profiles to see how the image looks. For flexibility, the batch X-Transformer to DNG, then import DNG into LR is the winner. In regards to sharpness and fine detail, I was hard pressed to see a difference between Silkypix and X-Transformer results. Both were great at that.

Is it possible to do that as a batch? I'd be interested in this tool if I could point it to a folder of 2000 RAF files and let is batch convert to DNG, then import the folder of DNG into LR.

The Pentax Asahi Takumar 55mm f1.8 and Konica Hexanon 57mm f1.4 have a lot of discussion around them on the web and its all good. I have the Takumar 55/1.8 You can read about my experience with this lens and see some sample images at my site -> http://adamwoodhousephotography.ca/vintage-gear/pentax-asahi-55mm-f1-8/

Did you purchase your iphone new or used? If you purchased it used, there is a good chance it has an aftermarket screen on it due to it being replaced at a non-apple repair centre. The colours will be off. I had one of my phones replaced at an apple certified repair business, but they offered a lower cost screen option which I took. It was not a genuine apple product, but I thought if it did the job, that's fine. First thing I noticed when I go the phone back is colours were slightly different.

Since Silkypix is endorsed by Fujifilm, I would expect it to do an excellent job with their RAF files.

I submitted a request for a Video forum. That's a good idea. Lets see if it goes anywhere.

I have read good things about the Canon 300mm F4L FD lens. It's on my covet list.

Ask 10 different people what Fujifilm's priority should be and get 10 different answers. it's kind of comical ....

"So I guess now I'm just upset that even though it's using my entire CPU for 2 hours at 150 degrees f, why does it still take so ridiculously long to process RAF files. Haha" We have all been asking that exact same question! I have followed discussions about this over the many months and it appears that Adobes default RAW decoding algorithms are customized for Bayer pattern sensors and not the X-trans sensor design of the Fuji system. So there is lots of extra, inefficient work done in the ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) software for Fuji files ... which makes the decoding noticeably slower. Other RAW decoding tools that are coded specifically for Fuji RAF files are much quicker. That is where the many reviews and forum discussions take place ... which tool is not only faster but which decodes the RAF files the best. If you do a Google search on the topic, you should find some informative websites that have done thorough testing/reviews. But for those of us that use LR ... we live with the slow performance when using our RAF files.

See updates to Fuji RAW files in this release. Anyone try it to see if it is more stable and does more with Fuji RAW (compressed and uncompressed) files?

That's not backwards. Import/Export is a processor intensive task, so the CPU should peek at 100% since the computer is putting all resources into that task. You only need to use lots of RAM should a large amount of data need to be stored in memory at the same time for quick access. The software will load the image, process it, then move onto the next image. So not RAM intensive. With the CPU being used @ 100%, that will generate the most amount of heat, so your computer will get hotter (more noticed on laptops versus desktops). GPU (graphics card) will also do the same if it is pushed real hard, but that only happens (usually) with gaming. If the fans are running at full blast that's a good thing because they are doing what they are suppose to be doing. With a faster CPU and more RAM, it doesn't mean the computer will now process the images/video with less RAM or CPU usage ... they will still peak ... it means it should process quicker.

That is how I got my XT2 on the release day last Sept. I walked in when the store opened and asked if they had any extra after filling pre-orders. They said the shipment would arrive in a couple hours and come back and see. So I did that and sure enough, they had 1 XT2 that was not part of the pre-orders, so that one was mine. I got lucky and being first paid off.

Yes, as the OP said, you need to create smart previews and then close LR and simply rename the RAW folder. When you restart LR, it will only be using the smart previews and performance will be much better. When done your edits, close LR, restore the RAW folder name and fire LR back up. You are then good to go to export your work! It's a nuisance ... but an easy work around to make things a bit better.

you people with ONA bags make me jealous ....

Grey market doesn't mean there is a greater chance for problem. It isn't the same as a refurbished item. It simply has to do with the flow of product for suppliers/country and the joint effort of warranty support to promote buyers purchasing in their own country. (at least how I understand it)

That sounds really odd. I have the Nikon version (which I don't think it matters as it just uses the center pin to fire) and have the Tx on the camera and the flashes off to the side on a small light stand. I can shoot away and each time the flash will fire fine (as long as it has time to recharge). It was that way when I had them on my Nikon bodies, and the same works for my XT1 and XT2. Camera body is mechanical shutter only. Make sure you are not using either electronic shutter or MS+ES. I think I remember someone commenting once that if ES is enabled at all, flash can be a problem.

Fujifilm and every other camera manufacturer has no control over earthquakes and their impact on the limited sensor manufacturing facilities. This time around and at this point, it's looking like it set them back almost one year (to have adequate stock to fill orders and have product on shelves). These critical electronic manufacturing facilities really need to invest in moving some of their facilities to other locations that are not at the #1 earthquake hot spots! Details here -> http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/kumamoto-earthquake-camera-industry/ I feel your frustration and many of us do. But I caution that before you go blaming a large, aggressively competitive global business on their poor business practices, you first ask the question 'why?'.