Enhancing Colors in the 20D/histograms

[mbrant]

Hi,

I've just entered the world of digital SLRs with my purchase of the EOS 20D. I have lots of questions, but I thought I'd start with just two.

1) I remember reading on the Net that there is a setting in the camera that causes it to take pictures with more vivid colors - similar to velvia. Unfortunately I can't remember where I saw this, and I can't find any reference to it. Can anyone tell me how to do this?

2) Is there a way to get the 20D to automatically display the histogram after each picture?

Thanks,
-Mike

[lancea]

(1) Use the Parameters setting on the menu. See page 57/58 on the manual. This setting will only affect JPEG files.

(2) Press the INFO button to change the display mode. Depending what your current mode is, it'll require either one or two presses. See page 103 on the manual.

[mbrant]

Thank you Lancea,

When I use the Parameters, are there settings that you would recommend?

[Vertigo]

I remember reading on the Net that there is a setting in the camera that causes it to take pictures with more vivid colors - similar to velvia. Unfortunately I can't remember where I saw this, and I can't find any reference to it. Can anyone tell me how to do this?



The "Magic Lantern Guide for the 20D" says " Increase contrast by 2 points, Sharpness 1 point, and Saturation 2 points. (page 56)

HTH, BRC

[mbrant]

Thanks Vertigo!

[lancea]

I've never changed mine. If you want the JPEG results to look more like a "consumer" camera I would use Parameter 1. The manual says this is the default in the basic modes (which I never use). When I use the term "consumer" I'm not being disparaging (I really love the results from my C-50 Zoom). You might find this interesting: http://photoworkshop.com/canon/EOS_Digital.pdf. While it's not written for the 20D, many of the things do apply. See especially the bit about how Canon changes the degree of processing depending on the market for the camera.

If you don't want to do post processing (e.g. you're going to get the shots printed directly) then using Parameter 1 makes sense. Sooner or later someone will mention RAW format (oh, they just did :mrgreen: ). By all means read up on it - there's at least a zillion threads on the topic and I recommend you read some before even thinking of posting a question like "should I shoot JPEG or RAW?" ;) JPEG can however give very good results.

[Vertigo]

(1) Use the Parameters setting on the menu. See page 57/58 on the manual. This setting will only affect JPEG files.


I have read this several times in the past, on this forum.

And according to the Canon manual, it isn't true, that the Processing Parameters settings only affect JPEG.

According to the 20D manual, "RAW images are processed according to the White balance, color space, and processing parameters set at the time of shooting." And, "Image processing refers to adjusting the RAW image's White balance, contrast,etc. to create a final image. (post-processing)page 47

When you shoot in RAW, the set of in-camera Processing Parameters will be displayed along with the rest of the decision information that is saved with the file.

So, if you have never changed these settings, you are likely using the Pre-set #2 processing parameters. All settings are centered. (default setting with no in- camera processing) When your in the basic modes, the camera sets the parameters to the #1 settings, and will only capture JPEGS.

I could be completely wrong, but by testing the different parameters using RAW only, I get different results for each set of parameters. And the setting show up in the decision info.

JMHO,
BRC

[eos-rob-uk]

Oh never notice that, will have a play i think, just started shooting raw only and loving it. another memory card required me thinks, anyhoo hols soon and will have to suffer large jpeg compressed if i want to go mad.

RoB B

[lancea]

According to the 20D manual, "RAW images are processed according to the White balance, color space, and processing parameters set at the time of shooting." And, "Image processing refers to adjusting the RAW image's White balance, contrast,etc. to create a final image. (post-processing)page 47
Processing parameters are indeed saved in the RAW file metadata, but they do not affect what is saved. However some (all?) RAW image packages (e.g. Adobe RAW) will let you use some of that metadata to set the processing defaults. For example, if you set the colour space as "Adobe RGB" on your camera, the RAW file may show as being "Adobe RGB" - but it's not. Same with sharpness settings. RAW files are raw, and have no sharpening, colour space etc.

Heck, Mike (mbrant) has already got himself caught up in a discussion about jpeg and raw! ;)

[Vertigo]

Processing parameters are indeed saved in the RAW file metadata, but they do not affect what is saved. However some (all?) RAW image packages (e.g. Adobe RAW) will let you use some of that metadata to set the processing defaults. For example, if you set the colour space as "Adobe RGB" on your camera, the RAW file may show as being "Adobe RGB" - but it's not. Same with sharpness settings. RAW files are raw, and have no sharpening, colour space etc.


Ok, I think I get it now. All the RAW viewing software I had, up to today, would set the processing parameter defaults set at the time of the shot. ( Canon DPP, EOS Viewer, Windows Viewer, I don't have the Plug-in for PS7) .

And, I couldn't really see the difference between the in-camera JPEGs and the untouched RAW's, because the Parameters were being applied to both. ?? I guess?? I could see differences in RAWs that were shot using different PP's.

After your last post, I downloaded RawShooter. I found that the RAW pictures that I had changed and saved were identical to the originals, when opened in RawShooter.

Am I to understand, that if the Parameters are set in-camera, and I am shooting RAW only, and I print from the camera, or Canon Software, that the processing parameters will also take affect?? I haven't tested that yet.

Thanks for the lesson, lancea, I think:rolleyes:

Where is this thread you refered to?

Heck, Mike (mbrant) has already got himself caught up in a discussion about jpeg and raw!

[lancea]

Am I to understand, that if the Parameters are set in-camera, and I am shooting RAW only, and I print from the camera, or Canon Software, that the processing parameters will also take affect?? I haven't tested that yet.
Not certain. I would say though that anything I've printed to my Selphy CP500 (without further processing) comes out looking really sharp and vivid - but then the print is only 4x6 so I wouldn't expect sharpening to be required. As far printing through software goes it will depend in most cases whether you let it use the camera metadata as defaults.

Thanks for the lesson, lancea, I think:rolleyes:
You're welcome :)

Where is this thread you refered to?
This thread!