Lightroom and the Nikon Z9 - Understanding Raw Defaults

[@Camrographer]

Thank you. I can't believe this information wasn't disclosed to adobe subscribers.

[@TomReplogle]

I'm glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@MIshaHaijtema]

This is a life saver!

[@TomReplogle]

Glad it helped!

[@johnktistis]

So informative !!! i also now with Noise Reduction AI i find my self do that instead of normal noise reduction. The bad thing is that it needs much more space to create the noise reduction files. Anyway thanks.. I m glad i found your video to see what happened when i imported the files. Now i know :)

[@TomReplogle]

Yes the AI noise reduction is getting sooooo good! We live in an amazing time! Thanks for watching!

[@sithbk0075]

I had noise issues with my Z9 raw files with 1k, 2k and 10k+. I used Adobe camera raw and LR to process the raw files. Brought the issues with Nikon representative and he said Adobe was behind in updating their application to handle Z9 files. He suggested i use Nikon Studio which is a free app from their website. The results were a lot cleaner images with a lot less noise then Adobe camera raw or LR. I also tried Capture One and it renders Z9 file better than Nikon Studio software. I thought i got a bad z9 batch but it turns out it was Adobe that is slow it updating their apps to read Z9 files.

[@TomReplogle]

When did you speak to the rep? I know back in January when I received my Z9, the Adobe products didn't handle the noise very well at all. It seems after the last few updates that my higher ISO files are looking better in LR and CR. Have you found that as well?

[@sithbk0075]

@@TomReplogle my local store and I communicated with Nikon representative 3 weeks ago. I had the latest update and i still see more noise in my images. So I’m staying with Capture One for now.

[@Johnd3s]

I find your tip reference camera setting in the Adobe photo editing software so valuable as I was so unhappy with the overall colour when importing images from my Z9 bodies, I only shoot on the highest Raw Quality and always used to import all the files into Capture NX, process them, then export them as TIFF into Photoshop, after a few photo comparisons I believe I can now stop using Capture and move directly into Photoshop. I wish Bridge had the option to import two CF Express cards (from concerts/events) by "Time" so that the photos are in sync but this is not available so it looks like I am going to have to get FM6 for all future imports. Many thanks, keep up the good videos. Regards, John

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks John! I thought I had originally replied to this comment but somehow it disappeared! Likely user error. ;) Thank you for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@PETERFLUFFIN]

Hi! Im new to Nikon, i bought a Nikon Z8 yesterday and got my first shoot today. When i watch the .NEF Files on my Windows it has less or very flat colorprofile on it, like expected from a raw file. When i open the NEF File in Lightroom CC, it got way more Color on it even with the automated camera profile from my Z8. Maybe im completly stupid, but when i worked with my Sony A6000 Raw Files, they looked like i got them out of my Camera - very flat like a classic raw photo. Do you know why i cant use the complet normal RAW Image without any color adjustments in Lightroom CC?

[@TomReplogle]

Hi Peter! Congrats on your Z8! Check your import window to see if you are applying a preset. Also, check your Raw Defaults to see if Adobe or Camera Settings are being applied. It's likely one of those two....or both.

[@NikCan66]

Thanks for this

[@TomReplogle]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@carlmcneill1139]

I recently bought a z8. I noticed when I imported that I had a lot of noise at around ISO 2000. Like way too much noise. My default was Adobe settings. I asked about it in my Nikon group. A woman asked what I had the global setting set at and I told her Adobe. She said that Adobe is doing something to the z8 and z9 files on import and making them look like a hot mess. She suggested changing it to the camera settings. So far they look better. The noise I was seeing looked like I shot at ISO 10,000. Of course a lot of that is seen when you zoom in at 100%.

[@TomReplogle]

Yeah Adobe has been having some issues with the Nikon mirrorless files for sure…as well as Fuji files. I’m going to update this video at some point. You’re right Camera Settings is the way to go now with the Z9 & Z8. I was surprised though at how much noise reduction is applied even at the base ISOs. Thanks for watching!

[@rickpinelli1586]

LRC also did it with my Z7 files.

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks! Yes, I understand it's not just a Z9 thing. Thanks for watching!

[@MrDucatiPenigaleV4s]

I use Capture one 23.

[@TomReplogle]

I just tried out the latest C1 again and was impressed…especially with my Fuji files. Not sure I like it better for my Z9 images but still testing. Thanks for watching!

[@ScriptureToday]

Good observations Tom. I've had the same experience with my other Z bodies, unnecessary noise reduction at lower ISO settings by default. The images look good without the noise reduction applied, so I'm puzzled why the camera settings would be so aggressive. Are those really the instructions embedded in the NEFs by Nikon or is Adobe being too aggressive. I suppose a comparison against NX Studio would answer that question.

[@TomReplogle]

I didn't know other Z bodies were affected as well. It's strange how much NR is being applied at the base ISO. I think you're right, a test with NX Studio would be interesting. On a road trip now, but might tackle that when I get back. Thanks for watching!

[@bobwoolcock]

I'm using Photoshop 23.4.1 (Photoshop 2022 - subscription) with Catalina 10.15.7 and I can read NEF files from my Z7 II. However...NEF files from my Z9 will not open. After a tortured conversation with Adobe I believe this is because they have not released a new update to allow RAW file processing for Z9 NEF files. And yet you are able to read them? Is CC different than Photoshop 2022? Thanks!

[@TomReplogle]

I'm running the same PS version as you. The only difference is that I'm running Monterey as opposed to Catalina. I understand your hardware may prevent upgrade. I have no issues reading the Z9 raw files. The only thing I can think of is check your Camera Raw version. The latest version is 14.4.

[@bobwoolcock]

@@TomReplogle Thanks. Yes - 14.4 Can't get straight answers from Adobe. Also talked to Nikon and Apple. I hope I don't have to buy a new computer :) I asked Adobe if we should re-install - he said no, and that the RAW component is a plug in.

[@bobwoolcock]

@@TomReplogle Incidentally, Adobe told me I needed Catalina - I had Mojave and upgrade to Catalina yesterday per Adobe. No joy. The good news is I can still process jpegs in RAW. And I have a copy of the free NX Studio from Nikon which works fine with Z9 nef files. So in a pinch I could add another application to the work flow. Meanwhile I'm PAYING monthly for Photoshop. Horrible off shore script reading support at Adobe. Nice folks but useless. Not so with Apple and Nikon.

[@TomReplogle]

​@@bobwoolcock Wow, that's mind boggling. I don't understand why you can't open your Z9 raw files in Photoshop. Sorry I can't be of any assistance. Yes, it's sad that Adobe's customer service isn't better. They seem to be struggling a bit lately.

[@dance2jam]

Tom, first I love the concept of the video. That said, I need more explanation. As an aside, it would be helpful to lay out what you plan to demonstrate / prove - before you go through the explanation. I think it makes the loop easier to follow. Just my opinion. Second, I never heard the reason for switching from Adobe Default Presets to Camera Default Presets in the first place? Why did you make the switch? What was better when you did? What was worse? I realize the settings are different, but never heard that connect with the reason to switch or stay switched. Can you elucidate? THX. Appreciate your continued efforts. Oh, and what did you think about the noise reduction applied for camera specific Z9 at higher ISO? Was it good? or should it be turned off only to let 3rd party software do its thing?

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm actually setting up the Z9 to be imported under the Adobe profile so that the noise reduction isn't applied on the low ISO settings. I thought that I made that clear in my video but perhaps not. The main reason I wanted to push this video out was to make Z9 users that noise reduction was being applied at even the base ISO if the Camera preset was being applied. Everyone has a different workflow and I could see someone missing that setting when importing into another 3rd party software and having unnecessary noise reduction baked into their pics. Perhaps that wasn't very well explained in the video. I was kinda rushing that one out to prepare for my road trip and finish up some other work before bugging out. As far as importing using camera preset for higher ISO images, I think it did a fine job....but....I think 3rd party software does a better job. I was shooting a bunch of night soccer games last fall and compared my D850 files edited in LR vs deNoise and noNoise and both of the 3rd party software did better than LR. I haven't done a similar test with the Z9...yet. I'm still playing around with the different settings to find what works for my workflow. It's always a work in progress. ;) Thanks for watching!

[@dance2jam]

@@TomReplogle Tom, thanks for the feedback and it does make a difference. I love the idea that you continue to experiment (and share) - as time consuming as that is. I get it, brother. I will continue to support your channel and just realize my questions are just that. I like to understand why people make the decisions they do. That's how I test and learn. Many thanks.

[@chicharronasaurus]

Adobe is making my Z9 raws dark and muddy. I think it started on the last camera raw update.

[@pontussvensson1233]

Did u find a solution for this?

[@chicharronasaurus]

@@pontussvensson1233 so far just manually changing to camera flat and then removing some of the automatic adjustments on that profile on a case by case. Now I just have an unusual amount of color noise and when I use the Denoise AI it makes the shadows tinted green lol

[@TomReplogle]

Yeah Adobe's handling of camera files lately has me scratching my head. I switched to the camera settings on imports and then tweak as I see fit. Thanks for watching!

[@johnloydall]

Funny I’ve just found this video. I was trying to explain this exact thing just the other day on a Z5 group on FB but I don’t think anyone understood what I was talking about! Great that you’ve explained the issue well here. Have you tried the new AI denoise in LR? Seems much better to me.

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks John! Yes, I have tried the new Denoise and it’s a huge improvement. I made a video comparing LR’s Denoise Ai to Topaz, NIK, and On1. Here’s the link and thanks for watching! Lightroom's New Denoise AI...How Does It Compare? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gojLYal5Yryad6M

[@silvere36]

I was so unhappy with the LR rendering I switched to Capture One. I'm going to look at this again.

[@TomReplogle]

Capture One still may render the files better. I may do a head to head between the two sometime. Thanks for watching!

[@silvere36]

@@TomReplogle appreciated

[@Bmack13]

did you have issues importing i cant import my z9 files

[@TomReplogle]

No issues at all. I assume you're using LR? Explain your issue in a bit more detail and I'll see if I can figure out what's going on. Thanks for watching!

[@Bmack13]

@@TomReplogle found out i was using a older version of lr (2019) im on 22 and works perfectly now

[@TomReplogle]

@@Bmack13 That's great! With the advances in camera technology I imaging it's hard for these software companies to keep up. Glad you got it working!!

[@groovybok9891]

Hi Tom, Thanks for your video. I see that you have the D850 as well. How do you find the colours of the Z9 compared to the D850? To me, these are a bit more richer/deep on the D850. Also the light falloff of the D850 looks more pleasing to me. I bought the Z9 to replace my D850, but now I'm on the fence about keeping it.

[@TomReplogle]

I've been happy with the colors and haven't noticed any issues with light falloff. Do you have an example I can see? Perhaps I need to do a comparison video....🤔 Thanks for watching!

[@edhickl205]

Just found your channel. Great videos. Very clear and concise. This posting helps me as I now have the Z9 as my primary body and D810 as secondary backup. On the Z9 I save the NEF files as Image quality-RAW +JPG, Large Image size, and RAW Recording as Lossless compression. This gives me a larger file size for post processing, lets me switch from FX to DX mode and have enough MP if my wildlife lens needs a bit more reach. Don't have a Z teleconverter yet. As of yet I'm not aware of Adobe supporting the HE and HE* Raw recordings. Would you considering doing a session on this issue. I also save the JPG with the RAW so I can use my MacBook Pro's Preview app to do run thru the card images instead of 'chipping' on the camera. Preview does not read any of the Z9 NEFs yet. My D810 NEFs are fine but no Z9. Interested in thoughts on using the HE type NEFs.

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks Ed for watching and the very nice comment! I don't believe the HE and HE* files are optimized yet in LR. I've been shooting lossless compressed for all of my important files, and HE* for anything that can wait to be processed once there's better support. I'm all for minimizing file size as long as the quality is not compromised. I'll definitely add a comparison video to the list once Adobe officially supports those files. Thanks again!

[@minusinfinity6974]

I find Adobe's luminance noise reduction frankly poor and leave it at a very low level and let real software like DxO Deep Prime or Topaz or even On1 No Noise, handle NR, no matter how high the ISO. Adobe hasn't improved luminance NR in a decade and now trails woefully behind the competition. Time for some AI smarts if they want to compete. This might be Adobe's way of trying to hide the fact they show more noise in Z9 files than other software does.

[@TomReplogle]

I’ve been impressed with Topaz recently. The new DeNoise AI is much better than the old version. Not sure what’s going on with Adobe but I agree with you. Thanks for watching!

[@SarveshParakh]

No offence but it literally got me incredibly frustrated just with that touchpad. I mean I have struggled so hard with laptops due to the shitty touchpads. I prefer a mouse and everytime your clip cut to the touchpad I got incredibly uncomfortable. I felt i was doing the movements and it is painfully frustrating to me. Anyway, good video. Thanks for the info.

[@TomReplogle]

Haha! Man I have had zero issues with Apple touchpads…now PCs are a different story. :) thanks for watching!

[@SarveshParakh]

I have struggled with Macbook Pros too....its really traumatizing haha! Anyway, you do what you like. Great video!

[@TomReplogle]

LOL! Thanks!