Adobe RGB vs. sRGB

[Sime]

Originally Posted by arjudd

The reason I have the interest would strictly be the increased color gamut and therefore more accurate colors in my prints. Right now I do use online services (mpix.com) as well as some store based printers (costco or Inkley's/Ritz). I just can't figure out on my own if the Adobe makes a significant and visible difference in the end product.

Here you go, from mpix website support section..

Mpix.com - Help

Why sRGB color space? sRGB is the working space for all our photographic printers. Consequently, working in a larger color space does not offer any advantage from a printing standpoint. It's a similar question to the one above about bit depth. A larger color space, in theory, allows a greater range of colors and dynamic range to be captured and manipulated. We suggest sRGB as the working space because that is the color space that the printers require. Before images are printed here they must be converted to sRGB. By suggesting that clients use sRGB as their working space, they are insuring that what they see will be what they get as much as possible.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by arjudd

if I understand all of this, if I shoot in RAW, it really doesn't matter what the color space is? My computer will simply process the data from the camera sensor, correct?

You'll pick the color space when you process the Raw file into a JPEG.

The JPEG has a color space associated with it because it's an image; the Raw file doesn't because it's just sensor data.

if I correctly understand the info from one of the links, there really isn't a difference in the colors available by each color space, just the spacing between their colors?

It's both. Adobe RGB can represent slightly deeper greens than sRGB can because it uses a slightly wider spacing between levels.

Really, though, the differences between Adobe RGB and sRGB are tiny. The differences in step are so small as to be unnoticeable in just about any photo, and precious few photos contain a deep green that Adobe RGB can represent that sRGB can't. And even when they do, there aren't many output devices (printers and monitors) that could display it anyway. The main place that Adobe RGB matters is for color magazines.

In general, if someone wants Adobe RGB (like a stock photo agency), then give them Adobe RGB. For most everyday work, sRGB is simpler and does the job.

[arjudd]

Doug,

Thank you so much for your help. Your explanations and the external sites you shared were perfect. You helped answer my questions clearly and completely!

Hope you're having a great day!