Another dumb question re. imports, files, sharpness etc.

[LastLight]

A while back I posted to ask why the photos imported from my new Sony A6000 into Sony Play Memories on an iPad mini were so small and pixellated so quickly.

Someone helpfully pointed out that I'd not spotted the tick box setting to import at original size, so I remedied that. But there is little improvement and a suspicious speed to the importation given I now shoot only in Raw. I took meticulous care to get some leaf edges and buds in sharp focus using manual focus, focus assist and having taken off the viewfinder cup and changed the diopter setting so I could use my naked eye rather than iffy varifocals.

But they - one example with slight crop, now on the Random Photos thread - don't look sharp on screen after any slight zoom in, or as good as on the camera's EVF. I realise the Ph upload needs them compressed, but they look un sharp even straight from my library to screen on this iPad with Retina display. The one attached here being a case in point, the bud looked very sharp in camera. Hand held but high shutter speed on a Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art lens. Shots on a 90mm Summicron aren't much different,

The thing that makes me really suspicious is that 60 photos can be imported by wifi link in seconds. At full file size surely each image would take a while even with a quick transfer speed? I guess this is managing one every couple of seconds. Have I hit an inevitable limit of the iPad/Sony software or is something else at fault?

[GetCarter]

What 'size' pixel x pixels are the original files?

My Nikon are 7160 pixels wide (for example)

Open in any programme and check properties.

[LongQ]

If you have upload a full RAW file it should be quite a large file. I don't know much about the SONY but I would guess a full sensor size RAW would be somewhat in excess of 20Mb.

Your posted image has all the signs of being a thumbnail that has been "enlarged" to fill a specific image area.

What software to you have for RAW processing in the iPad?

[LastLight]

Just done another batch of 45 and had the speed wrong - it was faster than one a second!

Most of the time I've had it photos were imported by the Sony Play Memories app, via wifi, then go straight into the built in Apple Photo program.

The only manipulation I did was initially on Snapseed. But I've now bought into the Adobe Lightroom monthly deal and used that. They are logged as jpegs despite being Raw files (only) as shot. I might be missing some extra menu option but can't see any file size of exit info in the version of Lightroom I have?

But the files should be North of 20 meg I reckon, pixel size is c.24 megapixels, if from an APS sensor.

I think this initially disappointing move to digital is what has given me the neurosis over needing to spend too much on medium format as the comparison with my slides is dismal! I just can't be seeing the real quality of this camera.

[markmullen]

It's impossible to import 45 full size raw files in under a second, no matter what the interface, so I'd suggest some aspect of your workflow is importing a low res file of some kind.

[K12beano]

GetCarter said:

What 'size' pixel x pixels are the original files?

My Nikon are 7160 pixels wide (for example)

Open in any programme and check properties.

LastLight said:

.... but can't see any file size of exit info in the version of Lightroom I have?

Lightroom - in "Library view" -








Shall we just work out what you have got?


(Mine are just diddy files from the Df, 'cos I wasn't showing off like Get.....) (Although I can have mahooisve '800 ones whenever I feel like it....)

[The_Jackal]

It sounds like that memories app or maybe snapseed are automatically reducing the size of your files.
I think you need to find out how someone experienced in this type of workflow would use an iPad mini to process full size photos (it is even possible?).
I would have thought Lightroom could import the RAW files, but then I only use the PC version.
Do you have anyone local who is au fait with digital files and management who can check what is happening?

[LastLight]

Thanks for all the attempts to help...

I can't find any menu or view in Lightroom that looks like the one above, but had a brainwave and opened/saved it to DropBox.

The supposedly full size as original file is logged by DropBox as 188Kb. No wonder I've been disappointed!

Had it with this temporary solution - so many things I hate about this iFail, kids' Samsungs even more though, to be fair - and ordering a new MacBook Pro today, a month earlier than intended and might cost me the business related discount, but at least I can write the value off the profitable tax according to my accountant

[LongQ]

The RAW files have an embedded jpg which is what you see in the camera's screen with all the "in camera" adjustments applied. That would likely be about 188k. I think that is probably what your iPad app is holding. Or a thumbnail of that jpg perhaps.

My brief reading of the description of the mobile version of LightRoom suggests that for proper viewing you need on line access to the LightRoom catalogue (into which you will have imported your images) if you want to see anything like full resolution but let's be honest - no mobile device that is not a full blown MAC/PC is going to be anywhere near RAW friendly as far as I know. And then there is colour management ....

I would guess that the app lets you play with stuff off line in a 'general look' sort of way but intended that to be no more than a holding activity prior to getting full access to the original image at some future point.

Did you order a nice big juicy top of the range MAC thingy? If so I am sure you will find enjoyment once you have worked out how everything hangs together.

[LastLight]

Thanks again for helping. I guess I should have looked at the Lightroom info on their site better, I missed that, or didn't understand it!

I've just ordered the laptop - had to use the Apple Store as John Lewis and others all seem to be out of stock - the 15" MacBook Pro with trimmings, so I'm not going to waste any more time messing about on this iCrap tablet and shall wait for it to arrive, hopefully then to see what I've actually photographed!

[GetCarter]

LastLight said:

I've just ordered the laptop - the 15" MacBook Pro with trimmings

Having owned 30+ computers since 1978 - It's my fave.

[LastLight]

Thanks, and... good. At last I might have got something right!

I'd almost given in yesterday and started totting up film cost whilst looking at ads for Alpas and Technikas (my favourite ever camera) and Copal shutters. Ah, for the simplicity of the gold old days

[rich888]

GetCarter said:

LastLight said:

I've just ordered the laptop - the 15" MacBook Pro with trimmings

Having owned 30+ computers since 1978 - It's my fave.

Must say that the 15" MacBook Pro is a decent bit of kit, but you can't beat a decent sized monitor when viewing images, I have a 15" MacBook Pro and also a 24" iMac and much prefer using the iMac for photo or video editing. Also purchased a few external WD 2TB hard drives because the in-built HD tend to be on the small size when you start filling them up with lots of 20MB photos and 100MB+ videos.

Slightly off-topic, I seem to recollect that Apple stores used to offer one-to-one tuition on use of software for users of new Macs, not sure whether this offer is still in place. Absolutely brilliant whilst I was learning how to use Final Cut for video editing so comes highly recommended.

[K12beano]

rich888 said:

GetCarter said:

LastLight said:

I've just ordered the laptop - the 15" MacBook Pro with trimmings

Having owned 30+ computers since 1978 - It's my fave.

Must say that the 15" MacBook Pro is a decent bit of kit, but you can't beat a decent sized monitor when viewing images, I have a 15" MacBook Pro and also a 24" iMac and much prefer using the iMac for photo or video editing. Also purchased a few external WD 2TB hard drives because the in-built HD tend to be on the small size when you start filling them up with lots of 20MB photos and 100MB+ videos.

Slightly off-topic, I seem to recollect that Apple stores used to offer one-to-one tuition on use of software for users of new Macs, not sure whether this offer is still in place. Absolutely brilliant whilst I was learning how to use Final Cut for video editing so comes highly recommended.

I'm living with a 4 year old MBP and have recently been lucky enough to have a 5K Mac too - Your MBP choice is immaculate.....I think you'll have no problem picking up LR around this.

[markmullen]

LastLight said:

Thanks, and... good. At last I might have got something right!

I'd almost given in yesterday and started totting up film cost whilst looking at ads for Alpas and Technikas (my favourite ever camera) and Copal shutters. Ah, for the simplicity of the gold old days

If you want the fun of using kit like that and you're not afraid of a bit of budget creep have a talk to Linhof Studio, Robert White, Teamwork or The Flash Centre about digital backs. I use a Linhof Technikardan and Leaf digital back and if you've the time and patience its a joy.

[LastLight]

K12beano said:

rich888 said:

GetCarter said:

LastLight said:

I've just ordered the laptop - the 15" MacBook Pro with trimmings

Having owned 30+ computers since 1978 - It's my fave.

Must say that the 15" MacBook Pro is a decent bit of kit, but you can't beat a decent sized monitor when viewing images, I have a 15" MacBook Pro and also a 24" iMac and much prefer using the iMac for photo or video editing. Also purchased a few external WD 2TB hard drives because the in-built HD tend to be on the small size when you start filling them up with lots of 20MB photos and 100MB+ videos.

Slightly off-topic, I seem to recollect that Apple stores used to offer one-to-one tuition on use of software for users of new Macs, not sure whether this offer is still in place. Absolutely brilliant whilst I was learning how to use Final Cut for video editing so comes highly recommended.

I'm living with a 4 year old MBP and have recently been lucky enough to have a 5K Mac too - Your MBP choice is immaculate.....I think you'll have no problem picking up LR around this.

Way back I used Photoshop and Live Picture (the software Joseph Holmes helped develop) a lot to work on scanned slides and was pretty familiar with what it could do and how to. Hopefully a new version won't be too hard to get to grips with, to some extent.

Lightroom I've only used for a week and I suspect this mobile version is well behind the proper software. I've subscribed to the Lightroom magazine so will while away too many hours reading how to...s over the holiday!

Macbook wise, I wondered about an Apple Tower thing, but space is limited and I'm going to connect it to a Wacom Quinetic tablet as I do a lot of painting too, and get everything calibrated. Wondering whether to get a printer, but it might be as cheap to get favourites done by Print Space or similar, given the cost of inks.

[LastLight]

markmullen said:

LastLight said:

Thanks, and... good. At last I might have got something right!

I'd almost given in yesterday and started totting up film cost whilst looking at ads for Alpas and Technikas (my favourite ever camera) and Copal shutters. Ah, for the simplicity of the gold old days

If you want the fun of using kit like that and you're not afraid of a bit of budget creep have a talk to Linhof Studio, Robert White, Teamwork or The Flash Centre about digital backs. I use a Linhof Technikardan and Leaf digital back and if you've the time and patience its a joy.

I used to spend too much money and time at the Linhof Studio and esp. Robert White - got much of my large format stuff from them. I've been doing that disaster preview 'man maths' thing working out whether to square the cost of a camera with a second hand back, with thoughts of the anticipated retirement present sports car now ditched, with the idea that even higher resolution/newer models will come on the sh market and down in price in the future, but wonder about the depreciation on any I start with. I'd love a Master Technika again and lust after the Alpas!

Patience wise I'll have plenty of time as I've just taken early retirement excepting for my own consultancy business doing just 3 or 4 days a month, so little excuse on that front. I'm lucky enough that after years of waiting and working way too much I can now make life the way I want, which is to spend catching up time travelling and making pictures so I admit I'm tempted.

[markmullen]

Alpa is a favourite of mine too. I did once price up a usable kit with a new back and passed £100k with a modest selection of lenses though!

[LastLight]

Ouch! I knew they were pricey, but hadn't got that far. I stopped torturing myself when I hit £30K and still hadn't finished window shopping.

I do wonder if a good sh Technika, often in EBay for c.£2000 with 2 or 3 lenses and a second hand Phase or similar might be worth a long term bet? I saw quite a few including some refurbs at dealers sites yesterday. I just put two mint Leica lenses up for sale as part of the plot to move on so will see if that makes my mind up for me.

[tim-b]

rich888 said:

Must say that the 15" MacBook Pro is a decent bit of kit, but you can't beat a decent sized monitor when viewing images, I have a 15" MacBook Pro and also a 24" iMac and much prefer using the iMac for photo or video editing. ...

My problem with my 15" MBP is....it's too good. At least the screen is - everything looks sharper and more vibrant than it actually is. It slows down the process of choosing which shots to use since you have to zoom in and really scrutinise each shot (otherwise it can lead to some nasty surprises when viewing the same shots on a 'normal' monitor), making it harder to distinguish which shots are sharp and punchy and which just look that way thanks to the screen. I tend to do my final processing on a cheap 24" Benq - which to be fair is a decent monitor - and gives much less flattering, but more honest, outcomes....This probably sounds crazy, but since 99% of my published photography is online, it makes more sense to optimise for mediocre displays!