Pitfalls of Monochrome RAW Photos | Lumix G9II

[@lumixographer2185]

Timely! B/W is harder than it looks! I've changed my kit to GX8 and primes, and shooting b/w. I have been shooting color with a b/w creative style filter. Creative styles have limited adjustments. Your tips on adjusting the b/w styles opens a different approach for me to try. Use b/w style. with adjustments and select a color creative style to get 2 jpegs (b/w + color). Glad to see you back teaching!👍

[@ImageMaven]

Sounds like you have some experimenting to do! Thanks for tuning in Jason!

[@jackjstrange]

Marlene, this was terrific info! Thank you. Jack

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear. Thank you for watching, Jack.

[@vermis8344]

Had my GX80 for seven years and never even bothered to see what the different settings for each photo style might do. 🤦‍♂️ Being made aware of colour filters in the monochrome styles has just opened up a new era for me...

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you for the ‘super’ 😊 So happy to hear you got a new tip too. Cheers!

[@sue.Hoo123]

Hi Marlene, some great tips from you, thank you. It looks like you’re enjoying the G9ii, I certainly am, my bif have never been so sharp. We’ve been blessed this year with a Waxwing irruption, apparently the best numbers of them for 10 years, I’ve got so many shots of them I’m really pleased with. On one day I was recovering from a head cold so wasn’t feeling too good, but the weather/light was too good to miss so I ventured out, spent 10 mins photographing them, took 16 shots, quick look on back of camera, pleased with a couple so called it a day, I had 4 really good keepers, but all of them were good. I’m very impressed with its improved AF for Wildlife. Jpgs are my go to too 👍

[@ImageMaven]

That's great to hear Sue! I'm loving the G9II too! Haven't seen too many waxwings here yet. They must all be at your place. But I've been seeing lots of bald eagles near the open spots of the river that aren't frozen over. Now that this video is all done, I hope to get out birding today for a few hours to do the International Bird Count. Always lovely to hear from you. Enjoy your Sunday.

[@sue.Hoo123]

@@ImageMaven you too, enjoy your 🦅

[@ImageMaven]

And thank you for the coffee! x

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Excellent! Great explanation.

[@ImageMaven]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.

[@STORYIMAGE_DE]

Hi Marlene. I am working also with the G9 MK2 and other cameras. In my BW workshops I prefer the work with the RAW file. I am using the JPEG file as reference (with the applied BW Profile) and then I am processing the RAW file with software till my expectations are reached. Your comments and hints had been often helpful to me using a G9. Many thanks.

[@ImageMaven]

Yes there are many ways to get to our final look. Thank you for checking it out. 😊

[@PabloRayHere]

It my request that, if possible, can you try adapting lenses to the G9 II to see how the autofocus works? As we know in the S5ii it works amazingly. I heard that the Viltrox adapter works with continuous autofocus for adapting ef lenses. No one has done this video and I am on a budget and have recently purchased the G9 II, the review would really help me and probably a lot more people.

[@ImageMaven]

Sorry that's not going to happen with me. I don't have the experience or resources. Check out some of the Lumix shooters like @CalebHoover

[@AprilClayton]

I really enjoyed filming in Leica monochrome. It sparked my creativity. I can’t find the digital zoom in the LUMIX G9II menu. I thought maybe you would know.

[@ImageMaven]

Nope, No Digital Zoom on the G9II. But it still has the Extended Tele. Try that instead.

[@djloudogg745]

I enjoy your videos! Well done! I learn so much.

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you so much. It was sure nice to see your comment first thing today. 😊

[@clintjohnson5914]

Marlene I just finished my third pass through this video in the last 24 hours and it was exactly what I'd been asking the big Panasonic users to do... And so much more! Thanks for taking the time to go so deep into the instructional aspect of the Leica monochrome feature. I'm very encouraged what I saw.. and the flexibility within that mode is just amazing. Now if we could get an under 1500 USD rangefinder style body like a GX-8.. weatherproof, with the new sensor and this B&W mode.. updated stabilization... Good basic video features with a mic jack.. not trying to be the next Halo camera.. I think Panasonic would really have something. Not asking for much am I?

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Clint. I’m very happy to hear this. Doing a deep dive was the goal of my video. Thank you for watching, again. Cheers!

[@63MemoryLane-gw1cv]

Looks like Panasonic removed a lot of features from the G9MK2 that was on the G9. Post Focus, Focus Stacking, 4/6K Burst Mode, Multi-Exposure, 2X-4X Digital Zoom, and 14 less filters. I'm on the fence and leaning towards Olympus OM-1 as it has built-in Focus Stacking, Live ND, Multi-Exposure, 2x Digital Zoom, and ART Bracket.

[@timothydrake1030]

Art bracketing is a big plus for Olympus.

[@ImageMaven]

They’re definitely not identical cameras. So you should go for the one that has the features you need.

[@thedarkslide]

9:22 Geez. My MacBook Pro is a couple of years old by now, but the AI noise reduction typically never takes more than 20 seconds or so even on 50MP RAW files from my Canon 5DsR. I am suspecting that your computer probably does not have a somewhat recent GPU? Worth upgrading with the victory march of AI everywhere...

[@jerometerry26]

Another excellent video. Thanks Much Marlene!!!

[@ImageMaven]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nmecredy]

Hi Marlene, you mentioned using the in camera processing to apply photo styles to raw photos after the event. It is worth noting that this can be *long* after the event. All you need to do is copy your old raw photo files to the DCIM/1xx_PANA folder on a formatted SD card and stick it in the camera. Then it will find them and allow you to reprocess them. PS: I recommend using a newly formatted SD card - then it is much easier to find the photos you want to reprocess. Make sure you take at least one photo after you format the card otherwise you won't have a 1xx_PANA folder.

[@ImageMaven]

Hmm I’ve never heard of this. Must try it out. Thanks.

[@buyaport]

Quick note: On the G9 in camera menu page 1 you also have "Filter Settings", which you can use as described in your video, even when using the M, A, P or S setting on your dial -- i.e shooting "high key" jpegs in manual mode etc.

[@trulsdirio]

A colour filter does actually block every other colour, not the one it is designated as. Which is why a red filter makes everything look red when looking through it, all you have left is the red, everything else is gone. Which is also why the chosen colour does become brighter and everything else darker.

[@clintjohnson5914]

I could be wrong but I think she was referring to shooting with the colored filter on black and white. Put a red or yellow filter on when shooting black and white film... And those colors would block the opposite on a color wheel and therefore somewhere in the blue range.. like skies .. would be darkened and the clouds would be accentuated. Just for experimentation I just got back from shooting one of the Red Rock national Parks in Utah... And I used a red filter. Instead of skies that stood out I mostly got a goofy-looking image that looked like infrared.. and of course when I was scanning through the pictures the raw files were of course super red on everything.

[@ddsdss256]

I always shoot RAW+JPG and only process RAWs. If I feel B&W is warranted, I use L Mono D with my G9 (but will surely try Leica mono when I get a G9 II), as it's obviously easier to visualize in B&W when you're seeing in B&W. I use Nik Silver Efex Pro, IMO the best tool for this purpose (much better than LR/PS), if I decide that I indeed want to go B&W (it's nice to have options). One of the huge advantages of digital is the ability to do things like apply filters ex post facto, and with SEP you can go well beyond what was possible with glass filters in the film age (or digitally, if you have a mono sensor, such as the Leica M or Q Monocrom). You can select any wavelength you want (e.g., somewhere between red and orange) and intensity, giving you a huge measure of creative control. Having the RAW in color helps you determine how you may want to apply filters--a huge advantage over the film days, and being able to experiment is a huge plus.

[@PowerrayX]

thx for the tips, getting my G9II really soon and I'm coming from a G80 ;-)

[@ImageMaven]

That’s a huge upgrade! Enjoy.

[@PowerrayX]

@@ImageMaven is there other software where you can do this instead of Lightroom ?

[@ImageMaven]

@@PowerrayX Yes, basically any software that opens raw files will work as long as it has the updated Lumix camera photo styles.

[@nmecredy]

PS: This also applies to other forms of in-camera processing such as focus stacking - just copy the relevant files to a formatted SD card and stick it in the camera.

[@siewer]

Hi Marlene, on my Mac Studio with M1 Max (Base Model) the AI Denoising needs only 15-20sec./Picture.

[@ImageMaven]

Nice! Lucky you.

[@leendertvisser1316]

I use the free Silkypix SE for Panasonic to edit my gx9 RAW photos. Its easy and quick: you start with the JPG settings out of camera. Does this work with the G9 II and Leica Monochrome style too?

[@ImageMaven]

I haven’t tried that yet. Thanks for the reminder about silkypix.

[@edwardnixon1782]

Personally, I like editing my RAW files -- that's just me. In addition, because I use Affinity Photo which does not yet grock the Lumix G9ii RAW format, I process with DXO Pure RAW and I have never, no matter how high a DXO 'quality' setting I choose, waited more than 30 - 40 seconds for a de-noised *and* lens corrected DNG. As far as monochrome conversion? I think each image is unique and deserves the attention needed to show its uniqueness to best effect -- or at least my best effort at the best effect. Thanks for the info; I learned a lot!

[@ImageMaven]

It's great that we have so many creative options for capture and editing of our photos. I've heard a lot about DXO from others who use it. I love getting everyone's ideas and feedback. Thank you kindly for watching.

[@coin777]

8:20 That's not noise. That's Mostly Lightroom Sharpening. Turn it off.

[@martingreenberg870]

I like that when I shoot jpeg & raw the raw is in color. I see the image in B&W through the EVF before I press the shutter. It is nice having a color negative. I like shooting color images using the B&W jpeg. I am able to better see the highlights while in B&W. Why be normal? I try to shoot the image correctly in the camera so I don’t have to futz with the image afterwards in post prosessing. I’m a jpeg using too. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@ImageMaven]

Love it. I have tried the b&w preview on colour photos at times. But found it hard to find my subject if the scene was busy. If it was a simple composition, was much easier. I tend to shoot my BW photos with better composition though. Lesson in there somewhere. 😉

[@Viajoenfotos]

hey marlene, can i ask about your version of lightroom because i cant open rw2 from my g9II

[@ImageMaven]

I use the Creative cloud version and I keep it up to date. Every time a new camera comes out there’s always updates to the Camera Raw part of Lr and PS. So you likely just need to update.

[@viharsheth9132]

Why did you pick Natural as your default JPEG setting? Does it have the most flexibility for editing (besides RAW)?

[@ImageMaven]

No special reason. Just a nice middle of the road photo style. I use Standard a lot too. Vivid is too vibrant unless I want to juice up a sunset. I use Portrait for my KZbin vids when I’m on camera. Softens my wrinkles a bit. 😂

[@gordon3988]

My first thought: What Marlene shooting RAW? I don’t have a G9ii, but a great tip(s) for those that do (and who shoot RAW files). Quite liked the prints as well…especially the Church!

[@ImageMaven]

Haha. You’ve been paying attention Gordon! It’s just for testing purposes 😉

[@petermartinka9274]

Hi Marlene. I'm glad you made another video about the Lumix G9ii. Those Leica monochrome profiles are identical to the profiles on the G9? Can you compare it?

[@ImageMaven]

The Leica Monochrome is new, but the other monochrome photo styles are on the G9 too.

[@petermartinka9274]

I see. Thank you very much for the info. Have a nice day. :)

[@thedarkslide]

Hey, Marlene. Does the G9II have a similar option for generating pseudo-random grain such as the GX9 introduced for its black and white profile? Thanks!

[@ImageMaven]

Yes I demonstrated that menu in this video.

[@heavenpuertorico]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom!!. It’s there any way to transfer raw pictures into my IPad using Lumix Sync app ? The g9 II is not listed in the Image app. Have you encounter such issues? Transfers of jpeg through Lumix Sync work great! Thanks again, Marlene!! Best from Puerto Rico!

[@ImageMaven]

In the past I used a card reader to iPad for raw files but I’ll do some testing and get back to you. But in the meantime check your file settings on the app. Stay tuned!

[@ImageMaven]

Ok I just tested this out with my iPhone and it works great. I tried RAW as well as an image shot with RAW + Jpg. You need to choose if you want both the raw and jpg or just the raw, or just the jpg if you shoot both. Go to the menu on the top right corner of the app to choose.

[@heavenpuertorico]

I am using my new G9 II lumix. Did you try it with this camera? As per the Lumix Sync App, raw formats can’t be transfers. In the new IOS 17.3.1 the G9 II is not show on their supported list. Thanks for your assistance , Marlene. @@ImageMaven

[@ImageMaven]

@heavenpuertorico You are right!!! There is a problem. I used the G9ii and iPhone with updated iOS. So, the RAW file was copied to my phone but it didn’t open. I will investigate further!

[@heavenpuertorico]

Thank you so much , at least not the only one. Best from Puerto Rico, Marlene!@@ImageMaven

[@stickgarrote8582]

Physical color filters affect their opposite color, not the color of the filter. Red darkens blues and greens, green darkens reds and pinks. They let the color of the filter through and darken the others. Maybe Lumix messed up?

[@michaelhawkins1173]

Thank you Marlene I am curious to the Leica setting in the camera and if its something that is unique and noticeable to look at. Is it a go to for you, over the original G9 or do you go mostly with your settings from the original G9. As always a very helpful video and I always watch your videos until the end.

[@ImageMaven]

I think I like trying new things. When the L Mono D came out on the G9 after a firmware update, I used it a lot. I don’t shoot a huge amount of monochrome photos. So I guess time will tell if it stays in my favourites list. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@howardchud9097]

Can you do the same adjustments with the G9?

[@ImageMaven]

Yes! Any Lumix. You just won’t see the new photos styles like the Leica Mono.

[@sbeckmesser]

Will be getting a G9M2 via the BH $500 trade-in promo. Apparently I'll get another $300 off by also trading in my G9M1 (pending approval). Looking forward to exploring BW on the new camera. Your tips will really help.

[@ImageMaven]

Wow lots of incentives out there. Enjoy the new camera!

[@Bill-NM]

Hi Marlene - new subscriber and love your videos. :) Question - for those of us operating in the dark ages with the G9 Mark 1, V2.7, who do not have access to LEICA Monochrome, I wonder if you might have a recipe, using settings in the camera, or, say, in Lightroom, to closely replicate the LEICA Monochrome picture style? Starting from a raw file and/or from any of the other monochrome photo styles? Or if you don't have time for that, etc, I wonder if you could share a raw file, as well as that raw file processed to LEICA Monochrome, so that an enterprising subscriber might have a crack at it. :) Thanks.

[@JohanvonReis]

How come that you want to have the RAW file just like your JPEG? Isn´t the point of shooting JPEG+RAW just so that you can create a developed image in camera at the same time you have the backup as a RAW. Just like in the film-days when you saved your negatives for future develops, only now you can develop your negatives (RAW) in monochrome or the full spectrum of colors. At least that how I use it.

[@howardchud9097]

What paper were the B&W photos printed on?

[@ImageMaven]

Fuji. I think it’s Lustre. From Technicare in Edmonton. I made some pearl ones too. But those are kind of metallic looking.

[@howardchud9097]

@@ImageMaven years ago I also used ilford.

[@ImageMaven]

@howardchud9097 Me too. But this is colour photo paper. Ilford was black and white only.

[@trulsdirio]

What are you filming this with? The focus pulsing is really severe..

[@ZappaBlues]

I am the total opposite you. I shoot only RAW. I love spending hours in the digital darkroom. About 80+% of images end as B&W.

[@ImageMaven]

Thankfully we both have something we love to do!