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Raw file rendering problems with Canon EOS 5D in Aperture 3

Since upgrading to Aperture 3, I have had serious problems with the rendering of Canon EOS 5D (not Mark II/III) RAW files. With Aperture 2, both the preview and full-sized images looked basically the same as the original images as displayed on the camera's display, without any adjustments.


With Aperture 3, each preview images initially look fine after import, but when Aperture re-renders it from the RAW file (e.g. when displaying the full-size image), the colors are drastically intensified, and the hue is shifted generally towards green/blue. I've checked the RAW Fine Tuning, and it is set to the defaults. If I turn the default RAW Fine Tuning settings all the way down, the image is still not at all like the preview from the camera - it becomes much darker and stays too blue/green, with washed-out colors.


A friend with a Canon EOS 5D MkII also recently upgraded her Mac from Aperture 2 to 3, and hasn't experienced any problems. We've tried importing RAW files from my (non-MkII) camera to her Mac (with the default RAW Fine Tuning settings), and get the same results as with my own Mac (i.e. strange colors), so the problem seems to be related to the camera model.


I've also noticed that scanned greyscale tiff images (including images that were originally imported under Aperture 2) are changed when first displayed by Aperture 3 - they become darker and more contrasty, with lots of information lost in the shadow areas.


I've also tried removing Aperture preferences, Aperture itself, and re-installing from download, with no change in the problem. (Aperture is the current latest version, 3.3.2.)


Has anyone experienced similar problems?

Aperture 3, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Aug 14, 2012 3:34 PM

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51 replies

Aug 15, 2012 12:16 AM in response to William Lloyd

William Lloyd wrote:


Are you automatically applying a preset at import? Check that in the import dialog.


Also, do you have onscreen profile turned on or some bizarre color profile set?


No, I have no import presets defined - I've also removed both ~/Library/Preferences/Aperture and ~/Library/Application Support/Aperture to make sure it's not a local configuration issue.


My screen is hand-calibrated in Display Preferences - nothing unusual.


Older images that were imported under Aperture 2 look fine (previews and full-size images), but show the same problem if I re-render them with Aperture 3's RAW conversion, so the problem doesn't seem to be related to the import process or the screen profile - rather with the RAW file rendering.

Aug 19, 2012 2:06 PM in response to Kris.M

I am having the same issue with my impoted RAW files turning green and flattening out.

Jpegs seem o.k. after import.


I have read many old notes here on this same issue and found no solution other than

possibly reinstalling Aperture. Even that didn't sound 100%.


I am using Aperture 3.3.2

Digital Camera Raw 3.14.0

Mac OSX 10.7.4

Canon 5D MIII


No Onscreen proofing used, No Import Effect Presets set.


I purchased the original Aperture at the Apple Store and have upgraded via disc.

Reinstalling doesn't look like a simple option for me.


Really disapointed that this is such a significant and persistent issue.

Aug 29, 2012 6:43 AM in response to Kris.M

I'm having the same problem.


iMac running Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 and Aperture 3.3.2. Workflow is importing through Canon's DPP and then using referenced images in Aperture. The images look great in LR4, or Canon's DPP but are flat and dingy in Aperture.


There's a free preset that goes part way to fixing it at http://theapertureblog.com/2011/02/10/my-aperture-workflow-for-working-with-cano n-5d-mark-ii-files/


but as good as this fix is, it doesn't quite do the trick. [not being a hater, and not saying I can do better]


I just got back from shoooting 1,500 images with a 5DMii and a T2i using Canon 24-105L IS, 70-200 2.8L, 50 1.8 and a Sigma 120-400 and the T2i images are not just better, they're in a different league.


I've tried shooting in Faithful, Neutral and also toggling these presets in different ways and still can't get Aperture to match what I see on the camera's screen or in other Apps. I love the interface and DB of Aperture, but what's the point of using it if it doesn't produce and awesome image in the end?

Aug 29, 2012 7:13 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

Thanks for that. Initially I was going straight to the HD from the camera. I don't have a card reader, so import by connecting the camera via USB. I started using the DPP as an attempted workaround for the problem.


I'm certainly no expert, just an enthusiastic amateur and so have a limited perspective. What I've seen, read or heard is that Nikon users aren't having the same issues (yay Nikon), and I don't have the same issue with the T2i on the identical workflow, so am guessing it's a 5DMii issue.

Aug 29, 2012 8:02 AM in response to imagin8r

I have tried many of the fixes listed in multiple threads on this issue, and there are many,

both older and current. All with people jumping through hoops to try to understand and correct it.


Though I appreciate the color correction fixes that have been listed, this is simply not

an option. What happens to all those images if and when Apple gets around to resolving

this show stopping issue. The doubt in image quality and inconsistent rendering alone is enough

to drive users away in packs.


I have been using Aperture since day one, and I have seen this issue come and go to both

small and large degrees - currently LARGE. It is inexcusable to allow an issue this serious

to continue with NO Support for so long.


Seriously considering moving to a competetive product. Too bad, I really like my Aperture

workflow and have invested years in the application, but the preview image quality that I'm

seeing right now from a brand new 5D MIII is so bad, and leaves so much doubt in the use

of Aperture that it makes little sense to continue to wait around for these serious calls for a fix to be answered.

Aug 29, 2012 8:26 AM in response to Kris.M

OK I've done further tests and findings. I shot with RAW+JPEG (before I always used RAW only) expecting the JPEGs to be better, but to my surprise, RAWs looked better in most cases. It's true that there is a slight green tint in RAWs, but that can be fixed using the white balance with the skin tones setting. Also, I found some presets for the 5D Mark II:


http://theapertureblog.com/2011/04/27/apertures-handling-of-colour-in-5d-mark-ii -files-and-a-preset-to-fix-it/


In my opinion they go too far (too reddish) so I lowered the values a bit and I saved it as another preset. But it's very good as a starting point. This resolves the "green" issue.


For the flat appearence, I downloaded a preset from presetpond that works wonders as a starting point.


This is the one, called "Raw boost":


http://presetpond.com/presets/aperture/raw-boost/


At this point, I'm fairly happy with the results.

Aug 29, 2012 9:17 AM in response to apple support user

Thanks for the Raw Boost tip. I have tried it on a few dozen images and it is helping. I've been using the preset from apurtureblog.com for a while and find it helps too.


Like you I'm fairly happy with the results and agree that they give a good starting point. It seems to me that we just shouldn't have to manipulate our images this much just to get to a decent starting point. If I didn't have images from my T2i for comparison to images from a 5DMii, I would accept that we have to add these steps to our workflow. But if this kind of effort isn't required for a lower quality body, there's just got to be something wrong. No?


Again, thanks for the tip on the Raw Boost, it seems like it will help, but not resolve the issue. Please fix this Apple. Premium gear, hardware and apps should yield premium results, but it's just not.

Sep 19, 2012 1:57 AM in response to Kris.M

Just wanted to drop in and say that I too have this problem. I just upgraded blindly to the latest version of Aperture 3. If I had any clue this was going to happen I would not have upgraded!!! What a mess this new version is making of the images. They almost have an HDR like look once the RAW file is processed and a new preview is generated. I hate it!!!


I'm so glad it's not RE PROCESSING my older RAW files that I imported before I installed the update!


This does not happen when I import the same files into LR 3 or 4...


Come on Apple Fix this! It's VERY frustrating watching my photos snap from the nicely exposed and toned shot I remember taking to something that looks so wrong!!!

Sep 21, 2012 2:26 PM in response to Brian Dodds

Just installed the 3.4 update - same green hue appears with RAW file previews.

Though a new RAW Re-Process button appears but does little to nothing to correct

the existing RAW images green/dark previews.


I really thought this was addressed after this Aperture 3.4 update asked to update my library

and showed a RE-Process button... but no.


Tried creating a new library, same RAW issue.

Tried downloading images from different card readers, same RAW issue.


Getting really tired of waiting for some information or a fix for this.

RAW images in Aperture 3.4 still look horribly dark and green.

Sep 23, 2012 10:26 AM in response to Bob Valeri

Green/Dark RAW Previews Issue Solved.


After updating to Aperture 3.4 and continuing to see Green RAW previews

I decided to update to MAC OS 10.8.2 (Mountain Lion).


The combination of Aperture 3.4 and OS 10.8.2 appears to have corrected

the Dark, Green RAW image preview issue in Aperture.


New RAW files imported from either the camera (Canon 5D mark III) or card

reader look significantly better than they have in the past. No longer dark and green.


The Re-Process button does appear to change older files a bit but not significantly.

Regenerating previews does not appear to help older imported RAW files either, but

new RAW imports are much, much better.


The only reason I did not update to Mac OS 10.8.2 earlier was due to a question

I had about the compatibility of my aging Macbook Pro (circa 2007). Turns out I

am at the cutoff for compatibility with the new OS and it runs fine on my machine.

Albeit not the fastest on the block.


Very surprised Apple did not make a better attempt to let users know that RAW

file previews could be adversely effected if you were't running the latest OS, or

whatever. Would have appreciated some direction after so much trouble...


Current working config: 🙂


Macbook Pro (mid 2007)

Mac OS 10.8.2

Aperture 3.4

Canon 5D MIII & Canon 60D

Sep 29, 2012 3:22 AM in response to Kris.M

Some problem for me, i use a Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT) and when i import RAW file in Aperture 3.4.1 my shoot change color and tone during the load of image.

I'm disappoint for this, and Apple don't fix this problem.


I have try to open a RAW file with Apple Preview, import directly with Compact flash on hd, and the issue are the same. Afther 1 o 2 second the image change!


I think that the problem is insinde the render program of Apple.

Raw file rendering problems with Canon EOS 5D in Aperture 3

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