RAW Processing problems with Canon 5D Mark iii

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RAW Processing problems with Canon 5D Mark iii

I am having problems with the RAW files coming from my new 5D Mark iii in Aperture. I have the latest version of Aperture (and update) installed. Selecting a picture style on the 5D doesn't seem to yield any results because when I import the photo into aperture all the images go very dark. I have to pull the exposure levels up all the way to get a decent exposure. The histogram on my camera looks perfect but when imported into Aperutre the histogram changes. I have my custom picture style set to give me a very flat image (contrast off, sharpening off, saturation -2, color tone 0). The images looks very flat and perfect in my LCD but once imported into aperture the RAW processing makes it very dark. I even tried shooting the exact photo in three completely different picture styles but they all look identical once they are in aperture. What's going on??

Posted on May 27, 2012 9:42 AM

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Answer 1

May 27, 2012 10:00 AM in response to David Crisp

Picture Style is an in-camera setting that tells the computer in the camera how to render the JPG's it produces when it converts the RAW data into an image-format file. It is normal for all in-camera settings other than those that change the actual exposure (exposure duration, aperture, ISO), and the WB, to have no effect on the RAW file. (The WB is simply a setting that is used as the default once the RAW file has been converted.)

There is still something not right, though. What happens if you shoot in a full auto mode and import those RAW files?

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Answer 2

May 27, 2012 8:08 PM in response to David Crisp

Picture styles don't affect RAW files at all. They make no difference whatsoever. They only affect the JPEG preview that's displayed on the back of the camera, and if you're shooting JPEG then they will affect the generated JPEGs.

So with that out of the way... I'm not sure what's going on. Do you have Canon's "preserve highlights" enabled? That tends to make the shots a stop or two too dark... you should disable that setting on-camera.

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Answer 3

David Crisp Author

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Jun 5, 2012 12:29 PM in response to William Lloyd

I think I figured it out. I tried importing the same files into Adobe light room and the images were all properly exposed. It seems this issue has something to do with aperture.

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Answer 4

David Crisp Author

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Jun 15, 2012 12:40 PM in response to William Lloyd

Here is a side by side comparison of a RAW image in the latest versions of Aperture and Lightroom. I have never had these issues with the 5D Mark II only the Mark III. As you can see Lightroom produces a nice flat image while Aperture is under-exposing the image. Any thoughts? I really want to continue to use Aperture but with my recent camera upgrade to the Mark III I don't see how this is possible. Anyones help would be much appreciated.

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Answer 5

Jun 15, 2012 4:58 PM in response to David Crisp

Any chance you are applying a preset at import? One that might knock the exposure down a stop or so?

Alternately you have anything like Canon's "Preserve Highlights" enabled in camera? I know Aperture can't interpret that and it has caused things like this in the past.

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Answer 6

David Crisp Author

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Jun 16, 2012 2:09 PM in response to William Lloyd

Hi William

No presets are being applied during the import process. Also, I am not using the "preserver highlights feature" in camera. I am just importing my files the same way as I always have with my old Mark II. Very frustrating issue.

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Answer 7

léonie

Level 10

194,561 points

Jun 17, 2012 1:28 AM in response to David Crisp

Have you tried to reinstall the raw compatibility update?

Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.12

This update contains the raw support for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

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Answer 8

David Crisp Author

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16 points

Jun 17, 2012 9:21 AM in response to William Lloyd

Hi Guys

After thinking about Williams post I tried a test shoot with the preserve highlights feature on and then off and I guess I was wrong. I must have had that feature turned on when I was shooting because it looks like that was causing my problems. I always used this feature on my Mark II and never had any problems in Aperture. It seems like the Mark III however does have issues.

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Answer 9

Jun 26, 2012 3:35 AM in response to David Crisp

Just to clarify David, it is not the camera that has issues but the software in this case "Aperture" otherwise Adobe Lightroom will have more or less the same problem and that is not the case.

So it is up to the Aperture Team to come up with a solution and not Canon, preserve highlights is a very useful setting when you are taking high contrast pictures and I think we can both agree that the software that will deal with this files should have the specifics to handle them well,

Thanks for posting this thread.

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Answer 10

Jul 9, 2012 12:00 PM in response to David Crisp

Hey David,

Many thanks for starting this post.I had the same issue with my 5D Mark III and Aperture.

Really gave me a headache. Because of my retina MBP I want to use Aperture.

Now it works fine.

BTW: "Auto Lighting Optimer" in 5D Mark III doesn't give this issue, only "Highlight tone priority".

Greetings, Robert

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Answer 11

Aug 21, 2012 9:48 AM in response to RobertKreijveld

Hey Guys,

same problem here. I found a page explaining the problem and giving a workaround for existing pictures (download + use the trial of lightroom) which usable, but absolutely not acceptable.

It's been months now since the 5D III came out and it still isn't FULLY supported by Aperture. That's really weak.

greetings

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Answer 12

Aug 21, 2012 11:43 AM in response to Roberto Ruager

Just for the record, HTP does not end up in the raw file. It only appears in the JPEGS.

It is a trick where you underexpose the sensor and then boost the tone curve.

Turning on HTP and shooting raw buys you nothing, except that you can't use ISO 100. 8^)

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