Loss of detail with Linearsharpen?

[samson]

Have others noticed a loss of detail in images processed via linearsharpen2.1? I have also noticed an even greater loss of detail when using Fred's LinearPRO.

I am comparing to processing converting RAW to regular 16bit tiff.

[Pekka]

What kind of detail? If you export nonlinear TIFF it's always sharpened (even a little) - maybe there's some difference?

[samson]

Pekka,

Don't get me wrong, I think your action is great. I notice however that if I run liniearsharpen there is less detail for example in facial features ( I shoot mainly portraits) than if I convert to a non linear tiff and sharpen in lab mode. This is true even if I use linearaction on a linear tiff and apply the same sharpening in lab mode as I do with the non-linear tiff.

Of note is that Fred's linearPRO causes a much greater loss of detail than does linearaction.

Could the multiple steps involved in the action be causing a degredation of the image?

Thanks.

[KHogan]

samson wrote:
Have others noticed a loss of detail in images processed via linearsharpen2.1? I have also noticed an even greater loss of detail when using Fred's LinearPRO.

I am comparing to processing converting RAW to regular 16bit tiff.


Hi Samson,

So far I haven't noticed this. I've been experimenting with the various incarnations of Pekka's LS and LA actions. I liked version 1.02 alot and didn't like version 2.0. But this latest version, 2.1 is quite nice. I haven't yet decided if I prefer 2.1 or 1.02 but at the moment I'm using 2.1. I also have been using LA more than LS when I want to do some tweaking to the image. That way I can convert the linear file, work on it, and then sharpen as a last step. I haven't noticed any loss of detail so far. In fact, my experience has been just the opposite. The result has slightly more detail, IMHO, than a conversion to non-linear tiff. Of course, all that said, I've only been working with linear tiffs for a couple of weeks. Here is an example, albeit resized and compressed, where the detail in the converted linear file was incredible. A little sharpening on this file would bring out the detail even more. I used LA v. 2.1 on this file. I've been working the last few days on a series of shots from some studio sessions and have been comparing the results between the various conversion schemes (linear, non-linear, jpeg, etc.). So far, the 16-bit linear with LA v. 2.1 is my preferred choice of processing on these particular images. I haven't tried Fred's LinearPRO so can't speak to that one. As for colour accuracy, for me the jury's still out though I do like the recent Aftershave adjustment particularly for skintones.

http://pages.infinit.net/ndims/Temp/EA2002.jpg%20

So there's one opinion on the issue. I'll follow this thread with interest since I'm still experimenting with linear conversions.

Regards,
Kharim

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Samson,

I wouldn't imagine that the conversion steps should cause loss of detail. Leaving sharpening aside, both Fred's and Pekka's actions do stuff like curves, profile assignment and conversion, hue and saturation. This stuff will only be changing colours and shouldn't remove detail.

Sharpening is different. LS and LP both include sharpening, using similar, but not identical techniques and settings. Are you sure that it is not differences in how the images are sharpened that is causing the apparent loss of detail?

Regards,