[Leica] IMG on the trail...AND sharpening considerations

[pkolodny at fibertel.com.ar (Pablo Kolodny)]

Hi Geoff,

mmmmhhh... by its definition you'd be right in that of if shooting raw any
of those settings would (not) apply but I'm not sure that really happens to
be that way. We never know what's really happening with in-camera settings
in raw or other file formats. Do you ? Why ? Maths inside processors is
something that is really taking place with files to be converted or not.

In what refers to that specific picture Steve's posted recently I was more
inclined to think some JPEG conversion artifacts were present over there,
not something he did or overdid.

And do have in mind that showing/sharing files over the internet does add
some weirdness to images. It is not exactly the same what we see at each of
our ends on the line. The web is not an easy game to play. Speaking of
images, of horse. 

saludos
Pablo



hoppyman@bigpond.net.au wrote:

> Pablo there are a couple of issues there.
> Firstly any camera that is capturing in Raw is not applying any sharpening
> to the file (nor other adjustments). The Raw file converter MAY apply some
> degree of sharpening by default. With Adobe Camera Raw for example, that 
> can
> be turned off or simulated in previews only.
> In general there is some softening of any image as it is recorded 
> digitally.
> The level of that may or may not be significant dependant on subject and
> taste. This can be offset by subtle 'capture' sharpening. Also, as a common
> benchmark, people are used to seeing the sharpened and enhanced output
> default of jpgs from digital cameras. The level and type of sharpening
> applied (again subject dependant) will vary according to the end use and
> resolution of the file. For example with everything else being equal it
> would likely differ for a portrait of a pretty senorita instead of a rugged
> sea cliff. Also though a screen size file needs a different treatment to a
> high resolution file suitable for printing an enlargement from.
> 
> All of that might indicate what a different world digital capture is
> regarding technique vs a darkroom. Remember too that there is no longer any
> of the degradation after capture of multiple optical systems, enlarger,
> projector for examples.
> 
> I think you are looking at that in this instance. I haven't even got to 
> look
> at Steve's picture yet!
> Lastly of course, a lens like the superb 24 asph that Steve has used will
> provide all of the resolution, sharpness and contrast that you could wish
> for, on film and sensor.
> 
> Cheers
> Geoff

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