With my D2X images, I don't have to do much. But with the images from my D800, I have to do some post processing, to give the skin tone a little "punch". Otherwise it looks a little flat.
What are your post processing workflows after bringing the images to your computer? I mean both raw and jpg file.
Different tone curves. The d800 much like the d3x has a flatter tone curve then many of the other Nikon I have shot. This means a bit more PP or adjusting of in camera settings to produce the pop. One advantage to the flatter curve better latitude / DR with your files. Once you get your settings dialed in processing becomes a snap.
euronail wrote:
I used my calibrated monitor to view.
With my D2X images, I don't have to do much. But with the images from my D800, I have to do some post processing, to give the skin tone a little "punch". Otherwise it looks a little flat.
What are your post processing workflows after bringing the images to your computer? I mean both raw and jpg file.
Just asking:
1) Monitor is hardware or software calibrated?
2) Do you have ADL turned on?
3) What are the picture control settings in both cameras? Did you modify the submenues?
4) What software are you using on the PC for the RAW files? CNX2 or different?
Both of these images are straight out of the camera without any editing.
I don't have any image which shot side by side to show you. I understand colors can vary depending on light, exposure.....I got that.
But as you can see, the first one shot with D2X, the skin tone is warmer, more saturate....The second one shot with D800e, the skin tone is a bit flat. I looked all images from both of these cameras, I can see the skin tone is very much the same color tone range of the these 2 images. D2X is warmer, more saturate. D800e is flat, require some post processing.
Any setting suggestions which I should pay attention to for the D800e?
Thanks for the photos.
The first one is shot with the sun in your back, the 2 persons sitting in the sun.
The second image has a large cross light section and the kids are in the shadow.
You might use a scenario which is more belanced to demonstrate the difference between the 2 cameras.
Yeah it's really hard to tell w/o side by side comparison. I know the RAW files from 5DM3 has more contrast vs the D800. I had to process quite a few 5DM3 images. I can only assume that it is because of the higher DR in the D800, which gives you more details in the dark and bright area, and create the impression of a flat tone.
which profiles did you use? raw or JPG
If you generate a profile with www.qpcard.com qp-card +software you get similar results from Canon and Nikon
Canon and Nikon has different CFA (colors filter) and the results depends a lot of which profile you use, the profiles differ in color reproduction , hue and contrast curves.
I am sorry, I don't have any side by side image to show you. These above 2 images are just for reference.
What I am saying is that when I look hundreds of images which I shot with D2X vs D800e, I can see a color tone pattern of the D2X is definitely warmer and crisper, vs D800e a bit flat, required some post processing.
I am trying to figure out if any settings in the D800e, I am not aware of which could throw the color off. Or any post process adjustment I must do to bring skin tone to that of the D2X. One thing for sure, I can see the D800e image shows much more details than D2X.
What is your typical workflow/adjustment when you bring your images to your computer?
Here is another image which I shot with my D2X, straight out of the camera, there was no editing, this is the kind of color tone which I am trying to get. I don't want to spend time on the computer, to make adjustment.
zippy_monster wrote:
I believe that both Capture NX2 and Lightroom have D2X mode 1, 2, and 3 presets. Do either of those help you achieve the desired result?
Yes, I do notice that with D2X, Color Mode III will give me the warmer tone. But the D800e does not have this setting.
My D800 is right on SOOC I did spend considerable time "setting it up" to do my bidding.
FWIW D2X profiles are in my D3/D700/D2Xs (duh) and I can grab any of 'em and get exactly what I want.
Tweak it man (Shooting Menu/White Balance/scroll down, there are 10 options with a grid for each...adjust to taste)
euronail wrote:
Both of these images are straight out of the camera without any editing.
I don't have any image which shot side by side to show you. I understand colors can vary depending on light, exposure.....I got that.
But as you can see, the first one shot with D2X, the skin tone is warmer, more saturate....The second one shot with D800e, the skin tone is a bit flat. I looked all images from both of these cameras, I can see the skin tone is very much the same color tone range of the these 2 images. D2X is warmer, more saturate. D800e is flat, require some post processing.
Any setting suggestions which I should pay attention to for the D800e?
euronail wrote:
Yes, I do notice that with D2X, Color Mode III will give me the warmer tone. But the D800e does not have this setting.
Yes, but as far as post processing options both Lightroom and Capture NX2 offer the ability to apply curves that emulate D2X Modes 1, 2, and 3 regardless of the camera. With CNX2, you've got to download the picture control from Nikon. With Lightroom the curves are included.
I did spend considerable time "setting it up" to do my bidding. 
(Shooting Menu/White Balance/scroll down, there are 10 options with a grid for each...adjust to taste)