Camera Calibration with ColorChecker

Question

Camera Calibration with ColorChecker

In reviewing earlier posts, I saw statements to the effect that Aperture will not export a DNG file, and, to the best of my knowledge, that is the case (it will only import them). That really is a shame for any one like me who has the new ColorChecker card and software that permits one to calibrate his camera for specific lighting conditions. I want to be sure I have not overlooked something here, because it looks to me as if the only way I can calibrate my camera with ColorChecker is to use PS. PS Elements or LR.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 13, 2011 3:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 13, 2011 5:18 PM in response to Community User

The DNG file is the master correct? Go to File->Export->Master

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Answer 2

Jan 14, 2011 7:46 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Actually, no. I shoot an E-3, which, like all other camera manufacturers, has its own proprietary raw format ORF. So the question is how to get a DNG file out of Aperture in order to use the ColorChecker software.

I've thought of one other way to get at this and not relegate Aperture to the trash bin, and that would be if there was some way to select the camera profile manually in Aperture. Like exporting in DNG format, I can't find where you can do that in Aperture. Certainly nothing in the manual about it, except to say that creating a camera profile is difficult. One must conclude, then, that Aperture applies the profile seamlessly from the camera format one is using, ORF for me, and doesn't permit any other selection.

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Answer 3

Jan 14, 2011 8:30 AM in response to Community User

Cmdr -- could you link to a page with directions on setting up a camera profile w. X-Rite's ColorChecker Passport? I had thought I'd do this a while ago, but I changed cameras and was satisfied with Aperture's RAW conversion default so I dropped the idea. I'd like to look into it now, though. Thanks.

You can create and manually save on a per-camera basis the RAW conversion adjustments listed in the "RAW Fine Tuning" Brick. Click the Brick's Action Icon (the gear), and select "Save as camera default".

Illustrated here:

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Answer 4

Jan 14, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Community User

Ah you want Aperture to create a DNG file, should have asked that. No Aperture will not create a DNG File. JPG, TIFF, PSD and PNG see *Aperture->Presets->Image Export*

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Answer 5

Jan 14, 2011 12:24 PM in response to Kirby Krieger

Here is a short, text instruction: http://tinyurl.com/4hj9fyv

Here is a 5 minute video that uses LR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIeRz7Nt29Y

And one more in depth: http://blog.xritephoto.com/?p=743

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Answer 6

Jan 14, 2011 12:36 PM in response to Community User

Thanks much. Cheers.

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Answer 7

Jan 14, 2011 12:47 PM in response to Community User

Would sending the raw master through Adobe's DNG converter work? Setting up an Automator workflow or Applescript to do that would be fairly easy.

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Answer 8

Jan 17, 2011 5:41 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

Excellent idea, using Adobe's DNG Converter. I did not know it existed. I downloaded the latest version of the Converter and tried to import an ORF file (Olympus's raw file), but the file is grayed out. It appears not to recognize an ORF file.

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Answer 9

Jan 17, 2011 6:13 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

Wait a second. It appears that Adobe's DNG Converter wants a file folder rather than individual files. Moving the ORF file within a folder, I was able to convert it to DNG.

But back to the original question, I believe that I am at a dead-end. Aperture does not permit a user to select an outputted camera profile created by ColorChecker. Except for the manually adjusted camera profiles that can be saved, it appears that Aperture applies a standard profile without allowing for any other choices. I am not sure what profile it uses but would assume it is the one set up for the particular camera's raw data.

Thank you all for your thoughts on his subject. I am not sure how this will change my work flow.

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