Post processing on the F30

[Chaz]

I've been leaning towards getting the F30. I have read about how the photos need post processing. I was wondering how involved is that? Is it something that takes just a minute or so per picture, or is it much longer?

Also, do all of the pictures need post processing, or is it just some of them? I would be more of a casual user, and this would be my first digital camera.

Finally, does the camera come with the software that I would need? If not, will Corel Photo Album 6 do (which I have on my PC)?

Thanks!

[PeterEdin]

I have recently bought the F30 and it is a great camera. It takes a few secs for it to save a 6mp on the Fine setting, but on other resolutions, it is very quick.

Images are saved as jpg and I am a casual user and I find it excellent.

The software that comes with it you don't need and in fact a lot of people don't use it. If you have Photoshop./Corel/Paintshop pro etc, then thats fine.

Despite the instructions saying you have to install the software & drivers....you don't. If you have Windows XP, then the device is automatically recognised.


Hope that helps

[P_Schneider]

As for the actual post processing it's usually minimal. Some of the pics usually need their curves tweaked, maybe a bit of highlights and shadows, unsharp mask (USM), or possibly cleaning up the image in Neat Image or Noise Ninja or something along those lines. Most pics though are fine right out of the camera. It really depends upon your tastes.

[Sirotnikov]

Could you guys share some of the settings you use for USM or NeatImage?
Or at least post some tips / guidelines?

I'm rather handy with pp but haven't had a chance to work on my own high-res pics. only with small web-size photos.

As one might infer, my F31fd is still in order procedures. :)

[sjseto]

I don't do anything to the majority of my F30 photos before sharing them, except for resizing and unsharp mask. I don't know if my settings for USM would help you unless you're a Paint Shop Pro user, but I usually set radius to 1 or 2, strength to 30 or 40, and clipping to 5. I occasionally need to do some adjustment in curves, levels, saturation...sometimes I even let Smart Photo Fix do the job for me. But usually it was because I messed up with exposure or because the lighting was really tricky and some areas ended up underexposed.

I don't use a separate noise reduction program so I'm afraid I can't help you there.

Stephanie

[Sirotnikov]

Hmm...

Well, lately I've learn to set the USM (or SmartSharpen) radius to be as small as possible (about 0.3 - 0.6 on resized photos, about 2 on original high res ones), and use 100% - 150% strength.

I think it gives the best results.



Do many of you use USM for contrast improvement? With settings of 15% strength, 60 px radius?