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Nikon Auto Picture Control Settings
May 14, 2019 12:56:13   #
bobishkan Loc: Fort Myers Sunny Florida
 
Hi Everyone: I have checked most everywhere in writing and on line and can't find any information on the auto settings in most newer Nikon cameras Picture Control settings, e.g. vivid, portrait, standard, etc. Most camera default settings are set to auto. Not these. How do they work and is, for example, vivid still vivid? Do any of you just use auto most of the time? Thanks Bob

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May 14, 2019 13:10:11   #
bleirer
 
It's easy to check if you have a certain camera model in mind. Download the manual and go to that page in the pdf.

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May 14, 2019 13:17:16   #
bleirer
 
D850 manual for example, wish I had one:

Picture Controls
Option Description
n Auto
The camera automatically adjusts hues and tones
based on the Standard Picture Control. The
complexions of portrait subjects will appear softer,
and such elements as the foliage and sky in
outdoor shots more vivid, than in pictures taken
with the Standard Picture Control.
Q Standard Standard processing for balanced results.
Recommended for most situations.
R Neutral
Minimal processing for natural results. Choose for
photographs that will later be processed or
retouched.
S Vivid
Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photoprint effect.
Choose for photographs that emphasize primary
colors.
T Monochrome Take monochrome photographs.
o Portrait Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a
rounded feel.
p Landscape Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
q Flat
Details are preserved over a wide tone range, from
highlights to shadows. Choose for photographs

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May 14, 2019 13:47:33   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
bobishkan wrote:
Hi Everyone: I have checked most everywhere in writing and on line and can't find any information on the auto settings in most newer Nikon cameras Picture Control settings, e.g. vivid, portrait, standard, etc. Most camera default settings are set to auto. Not these. How do they work and is, for example, vivid still vivid? Do any of you just use auto most of the time? Thanks Bob


I use Neutral (or whatever they call it) for color, and Large Fine for picture quality. Of course that doesn't apply to raw - NEF - files, which I shoot most of the time.

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May 14, 2019 14:25:28   #
juan_uy Loc: Uruguay
 
I used to use generally the Vivid option. I then changed to neutral/standard/flat something like that.
I shoot RAW+JPEG to have them readily available (and because I am quite lazy to PP and takes my time to sit to do it)

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May 14, 2019 17:01:29   #
toxdoc42
 
If you do any post processing then you really shouldn't need any of these. Once you shoot with one, I don't believe you can reverse the effect. So you can always change the photo in after processing.

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May 15, 2019 09:06:03   #
CWGordon
 
I hate the new program of not providing a manual at time of purchase. Telling me to download it is like telling a little league team they can beat the Yankees. Not gonna happen! I will wait for the aftermarket guides to come out. Downloading a real manual? As a famous woman once said “...ain’t got time for dat...”
So, when someone asks a question I think it should be answered if someone knows the answer. Other wise, just don’t answer and condescend. Who knows, you might need help some day!?!

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May 15, 2019 09:06:06   #
CWGordon
 
I hate the new program of not providing a manual at time of purchase. Telling me to download it is like telling a little league team they can beat the Yankees. Not gonna happen! I will wait for the aftermarket guides to come out. Downloading a real manual? As a famous woman once said “...ain’t got time for dat...”
So, when someone asks a question I think it should be answered if someone knows the answer. Other wise, just don’t answer and condescend. Who knows, you might need help some day!?!

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May 15, 2019 09:07:45   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
bobishkan wrote:
Hi Everyone: I have checked most everywhere in writing and on line and can't find any information on the auto settings in most newer Nikon cameras Picture Control settings, e.g. vivid, portrait, standard, etc. Most camera default settings are set to auto. Not these. How do they work and is, for example, vivid still vivid? Do any of you just use auto most of the time? Thanks Bob


Basically, you shoot in RAW, these settings have no effect. They do apply if you shoot in JPEG. If you are going to edit the photo, then I’ve seen a recommendation to set Picture Control to Neutral. If you do not intend to edit the photo, then set it to whatever seems to give you pleasing results right out of the camera.

Given all of this, I do not quite understand what you mean by "Auto". It seems that you’re applying two different concepts, what the camera does automatically through menu settings versus shooting in AUTO mode.

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May 15, 2019 09:24:42   #
joncogar Loc: WV
 
This might help explain your issue. Watch
https://youtu.be/Kr9ns7nqYW4

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May 15, 2019 09:53:35   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
gvarner wrote:
Basically, you shoot in RAW, these settings have no effect.


Not exactly true. Adobe products ignore the settings. Nikon software (and possibly others) allow you to open raw images with the settings applied, but still customizable. A Nikon rep explained in an interview that these settings were designed for the nef file. After all, the out of camera jpg is derived from the raw file.

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May 15, 2019 10:37:51   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
NX-D is a good program to experiment with. It will apply the various settings to the RAW file. Generally I shoot with Neutral as this is a good choice for bright light. If the picture has lower contrast then standard or vivid ( or any other setting) can be applied in post. It can be further customized in post as well. Try adjusting in post and see what happens.

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