Colors with Nikon 5200
Mar 15, 2014 13:41:24 #
I recently got a Nikon 5200, and am a novice with a SLR. I am frequently disappointed in the colors in the pix, particularly with sunset/rise. I am unsure what I am missing with settings to give true colors. I am mostly shooting in "fine" setting, and have used the automatic sunset setting, the automatic setting, the program setting, the aperture priority. So. My nephew's canon...admittedly a more expensive camera and glass, has way better color saturation. He recommended I try shooting in RAW. Any other thoughts? I have even wondered if something is not right with the camera besides operator inexperience.
Mar 15, 2014 13:44:05 #
Post examples and settings used. It helps for us to see what it is you feel has gone wrong.
Mar 15, 2014 13:49:05 #
Try to mimic your friend and his camera settings. It's probably not a problem with your camera but a problem knowing how to get the most out of it. Shooting raw isn't going to make your images better. Put your camera in one of the more creative modes, learn how to set picture styles, learn how to adjust those picture styles, etc. If your camera has live view, try that at sunset or sunrise. Read your manual and play with all the different settings that affect the contrast and saturation. You'll get it. It just takes a little practice and experimentation.
Mar 15, 2014 17:03:36 #
You are looking at pre-processed, in-camera JPG images. Shoot in RAW and process the images yourself and you will be amazed at the color depth you will find in any of those images.
Mar 15, 2014 17:33:07 #
It seems to me that Nikons are set with a little cooler color temp then Canons. Next time you shoot sunset try setting your color tempetures just start at 2500 and jump 1000 at a time till you get what you want. You may want to go in smaller jumps when you get it close. - Dave
Mar 15, 2014 17:39:12 #
You can fine-tune the color.
As Wilson stated and I find to be true, Nikons are set a little cooler than Canon.
From Ken Rockwell's user guide:
"I prefer a slightly warmer (more orange) image, so I set A2 (amber 2) by pressing:
MENU > CAMERA icon > White balance > Auto > clicking two clicks to the right to A2 > OK.
You can set any color offset you like. Simply move the controller around in this menu for any combination of amber/blue and green/magenta fine-tuning adjustments."
As Wilson stated and I find to be true, Nikons are set a little cooler than Canon.
From Ken Rockwell's user guide:
"I prefer a slightly warmer (more orange) image, so I set A2 (amber 2) by pressing:
MENU > CAMERA icon > White balance > Auto > clicking two clicks to the right to A2 > OK.
You can set any color offset you like. Simply move the controller around in this menu for any combination of amber/blue and green/magenta fine-tuning adjustments."
Mar 15, 2014 17:54:49 #
On my Nikon D7100 white balance settings it has auto white balance normal and another setting"keep warm color settings" I have used the Ken Rockwell method on my older Nikons but I am going to check out the new setting. - Dave
Mar 15, 2014 18:09:37 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
On my Nikon D7100 white balance settings it has auto white balance normal and another setting"keep warm color settings" I have used the Ken Rockwell method on my older Nikons but I am going to check out the new setting. - Dave
Keep in mind, he likes punchy color
Mar 15, 2014 18:42:55 #
J. wrote:
I recently got a Nikon 5200, and am a novice with ... (show quote)
Great camera choice. My first DSLR was a D5100 and I still miss it. My wife won't give it back.
Try setting your white balance to "Daylight". Auto white balance does not work well on sunrise/sunset. You also should change your picture control to Vivid, or to Landscape if the D5200 has that one.
The white balance setting is not to be confused with the Auto shooting mode setting on your dial. You shouldn't be using that so you can control white balance.
Shooting in RAW has distinct advantages when you process your photos in programs such as Lightroom or Adobe Camera RAW (which comes with Photoshop Elements). There are a number of threads on that topic. But it won't help your concern here. Actually, it could make it worse since RAW files are very bland if not adjusted properly.
Mar 15, 2014 18:44:40 #
MT Shooter wrote:
You are looking at pre-processed, in-camera JPG images. Shoot in RAW and process the images yourself and you will be amazed at the color depth you will find in any of those images.
Likely not. At this stage the OP will likely be more disappointed in how washed out RAW images are.
Mar 15, 2014 19:42:33 #
MtnMan wrote:
Likely not. At this stage the OP will likely be more disappointed in how washed out RAW images are.
In the programs I use, the camera settings are applied to the raw files when I view them. I hear this "dull color" comment a lot. I use ACDSee, Photoshop CS5 & 6. I'm curious what you are using?
Mar 15, 2014 20:14:56 #
I recently purchased a D5200 after using a D5000 for three years. Initially, I noted a slight different 'color cast' to images with my new camera, but no longer (most likely visual accommodation). In computer, I view camera JPGs, and process matching raw files. 95% of my captures are speedlight-illuminated macro-photography. I leave my White Balance on Auto.
Mar 16, 2014 01:58:09 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
In the programs I use, the camera settings are applied to the raw files when I view them. I hear this "dull color" comment a lot. I use ACDSee, Photoshop CS5 & 6. I'm curious what you are using?
It is worst in Photoshop Elements and Nikon's View NX 2, which comes with the camera. While fixable it takes some knowledge and experience to know what to do.
I use Lightroom, where I apply presets to fix them.
Mar 16, 2014 07:27:03 #
Perhaps everyone has skated around the problem here?
All cameras set on auto-exposure will try to render the image in the viewfinder to average a neutral gray within the metering area. Most sunrises / sunsets are not neutral tonal value with respect to brightness. Try under-exposing the image a stop or two and see if the increased saturation from that won't bring colors up to where you like them.
Also, remember that, absent any reference in the image, the camera doesn't know that your sunrise / sunset has massive amounts of red-orange-yellow light and relatively little blue, so it really can't render the image correctly. That's where post processing saves your image.
All cameras set on auto-exposure will try to render the image in the viewfinder to average a neutral gray within the metering area. Most sunrises / sunsets are not neutral tonal value with respect to brightness. Try under-exposing the image a stop or two and see if the increased saturation from that won't bring colors up to where you like them.
Also, remember that, absent any reference in the image, the camera doesn't know that your sunrise / sunset has massive amounts of red-orange-yellow light and relatively little blue, so it really can't render the image correctly. That's where post processing saves your image.
Mar 16, 2014 08:15:22 #
J. wrote:
I recently got a Nikon 5200, and am a novice with ... (show quote)
In the Menu, you can adjust the colors for Normal, Vivid, etc. Give that a try.
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