Question about the function "Optimize image" on Nikon D40

[zetson]

Hi, I'm shooting only RAW on my Nikon D40 and I've read that the recommended color space to use is Adobe RGB, which is called "mode II" on the D40. Changing this color setting is achieved by using the "Optimize image"-function on the camera. So far so good.

To change the color mode I have to edit the "custom"-setting in the "Optimize image". But then I also have to specify other settings too, like sharpening, saturation, hue and tone compensation. Do these settings apply only to JPEG-images or do they affect the RAW-images too?

Or: Is RAW so "raw" that not even the color space is applied to the images??

[oriolhdz]

Hi zetson:
I had the same question (And camera) as you have time ago. I shot always in RAW, because I love to post process them. So what I did was the following.
Place the camera on a tripod and the place a subject in front of it.
I took a photo with the default settings and then other ones with sharpening, saturation and see how the result was.
So I came that when I shot portraits I turn off the saturation boost, and when I shot landscapes I turn it on. Basically what I'm saying is try it by yourself and see what results the camera gives you and compare it with the results you wish to have and then tweak the camera for your goal.

Here is a link I read too about tweaking you camera settings written by Ken Rockwell. It helped me understanding the camera capabilities.
Also I will suggest you read the manual, as there is some important info there.
Hope I helped you. Good luck!

[zetson]

Here is a link I read too about tweaking you camera settings written by Ken Rockwell. It helped me understanding the camera capabilities

Thanks! This article really did it for me. He even managed to put a little conspiracy theory there at the end of the "AdobeRG vs sRGB"-article I will go back to sRGB (mode III on the D40) since I apparently have nothing to gain by choosing AdobeRGB. The only reason I wanted to change the color space was because of the wider color spectrum, but I will probably not notice these improvement at all and instead focus on the dull colors....

Also I will suggest you read the manual, as there is some important info there.

I've read the manual but unfortunately, little help is given on this subject...

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by zetson

The only reason I wanted to change the color space was because of the wider color spectrum, but I will probably not notice these improvement at all and instead focus on the dull colors....

You only really gain from wider color spectrum if you *also* increase the bit depth, and have an output device that supports the increased gamut (like an expensive monitor expressly designed with that in mind). Or, if you don't plan on doing any picture editing and going straight to a printer you may have some benefit, but if you want to edit, colors you can't actually see make color correction nearly impossible.