What's your parameters setting ?

[tombryan]

Normally use my own custom set of Parameter settings. I'm shooting people for weddings and portraiture.

Contrast +1
Sharpness +1
Saturation 0
Color Tone 0

I started out using Parameters 2 which is all zero's across the board but I found myself boosting the contrast in all of my images on the computer plus sharpening so I thought it might help to boost those two things.

Then I read on Gary Fong's sight where his recommended settings are


Contrast -2
Sharpness +2
Saturation -1
Color Tone 0

I couldn't believe -2 on the Contrast !! Wow. But then I read on the forum that my plus settings can contribute to blown out highlights and the black range being blocked up. It makes sense to me. Don't know if I want to sharpen +2 in the camera though.

So I'm wondering what you other people who shoot Canon set your parameters and why. Any insight from you Tech people would be appreciated also.

[René Damkot]

On my 1D2 when I shoot jpg:
Tone Curve Standard
Sharpness 1
Contrast -1
Color Matrix
6CM set1
Color Space Adobe RGB
Color saturation Mid. low
Color tone 0

Then again, I find myself mostly in high contrast situations...
I'ld rather sharpen in PS then have an oversharpened jpg...

[tombryan]

Ok. I'm starting to realize that I may be better off backing off my contrast. I can also just bump it up in post processing.

[evandavies]

I was also using +1 on the contrast so images look good out of the camera. The problem is you have very little leeway when grading as it looses quite alot of detail in the bright and dark areas. So its better for the camera to capture as much info as possible and grade after.

So now I shoot at:

Contrast: -2
Sharpness: +2
Colour: +1
Tone: 0

[liza]

I don't use them, since I shoot RAW 99.9% of the time. Even with JPEG, I leave them alone, since I don't want to process already processed images.

[ChopstickHero]

neat tip, i will try this on my camera. thanks.

[Cobra351]

After trying different settings, I'm happy with leaving everything in the camera set at 0.

[FIREWALLROB]

-2 for everything, except 0 for color tone.

My girlfriend uses the parameters and when you try to photoshop the problem areas appear more.

If you intend to photoshop, don't use them.

[tombryan]

I also shoot RAW for weddings so it doesn't matter. Lately at the reception though I've shot medium jpgs to get more images on a card and to save the post processing on just reception images.

[delhi]

IIRC RAW ignores Parameters... atleast for the non 1D-class cameras. Am I correct?

[FIREWALLROB]

I think the parameters are still used if you use the Raw software with the camera, but even then they are easily reversed by moving the slider.

[R_Metzel]

I set everything to 0 in jpg. I shot mostly raw though. As far as I know, and dont quote me, when shooting raw the parameter settings doesn't effect the image. Maybe someone with more knowledge can provide an answer.

[MJP]

i shoot raw most of the time so it doesnt matter...but my camera is set to standard parameter...

[Ricko of Fla]

I shoot in a raw format so I use 0 parameters always

[K.J]

RAW
Parameters at 0

No point in changing it if you shoot RAW ;)

[delhi]

RAW
Parameters at 0

No point in changing it if you shoot RAW ;)

For the rare occasion of using Jpg.

[Titus213]

I shoot raw too. And I keep my contrast at -2 because I've read that the jpg displayed on the lcd uses the parameters. I believe the blown highlights indicator reflects the parameters set.

[L A Mac]

Another one for "Zeros" here...I shoot 100% raw and optimize adjustments in CS2. I use batch commands and syncronize to speed up if needed. Storage is cheap so If it were me I would get more storage and shoot the receptions in RAW also.
I would rather have control over what I shot - not the camera. ;~}

[Bob_A]

100% RAW, so I don't use the parameter settings. I also turn off sharpening for the RAW conversion and do all sharpening in PS.

[Dan-o]

Raw. Not even sure what my parameters are set at.

[tombryan]

Another one for "Zeros" here...I shoot 100% raw and optimize adjustments in CS2. I use batch commands and syncronize to speed up if needed. Storage is cheap so If it were me I would get more storage and shoot the receptions in RAW also.
I would rather have control over what I shot - not the camera. ;~}

Yeah, that's probably a really good idea. And actually, having a job that's mostly RAW with some jpgs kinda messes up my work flow.