NX Capture - ProPhoto RGB

[UURickRose]

I would like to switch my working color space to ProPhoto RGB but concerned about something.

By the way - don't want this to turn into a debate about sRGB, AdobeRGB and/or ProPhotoRGB.

The question/concern lies in the way I'm finding that Nikon Capture NX handles this color space.

I have a Nikon D2x and shoot in RAW mode. The camera is set for AdobeRGB Mode II. Doesn't really matter in theory because I'm capturing in RAW and this can changed in the RAW processing program as we all know. Or can it?

In Lightroom, I can simply assign ProPhotoRGB
If using CS3's RAW capture utility, I can also simply assign ProPhotoRGB

Here's the catch. In Nikon's Capture NX software, there is no setting which allows you to "assign" the file to ProPhoto RGB without having to go into the upper menu and selecting "Adjust, color profile" every time - time consuming. Unfortunately, there isn't a quick drop down for this in the toolbar section like there is for Lightroom and CS3. You CAN howevrer, set ProPhotoRGB as your default color space and then check the box that states "use this instead of embedded profile". The problem I have with this is that Nikon Capture opens your file tagged as an AdobeRGB file (given you can only select from sRGB or AdobeRGB to begin with). In turn, the help file associated with this option says "This option causes Capture NX to automatically convert the image from the embedded profile to the profile as defined in the Default RGB space."

So - my concern here is that NX capture isn't actually "assigning" the profile but rather "converting the file from AdobeRGB to ProPhotoRGB. 2 very different things.

Hoping one of our resident color scientists can chime in for a response here

Remember - no interest in a debate about the benefits of using a particular color space here

Thanks

[AndrewRodney]

I don't know squat about NX. But it should be converting from Raw to some internal color space for processing then give you ProPhoto RGB if you ask for it (its not assigning, its converting from the native color space). If the color appearance in NX and Photoshop match while Photoshop is showing you the document is embedded in ProPhoto RGB, you're fine. Now it is possible the internal color space is Adobe RGB or similar and not ProPhoto RGB. We don't know. I suspect Aperture is using Adobe RGB (1998) (probably with a linear encoding). Lightroom and CR do use ProPhoto RGB as the internal processing color space (linear gamma), then convert to a gamma corrected space you ask for (sRGB, Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB). If the internal color space has a smaller gamut than the scene (or another converter), its possible colors are being clipped.

[UURickRose]

Thanks Andrew, I was actually hoping you would jump in with a response

When the image is brought into Photoshop, it is marked as embedded with AdobeRGB. Makes sense because the D2x only gives you 2 options to begin with (AdobeRGB or sRGB) and I always set my default as AdobeRGB and Mode II. Therefore, its logical that it would assign what I had the camera set too even though my working space in NX is something different (ProPhoto RGB). As I said, I do have the option of going into the menu above from within NX but its painful because of how slow NX scrolls through my color directory before getting to ProPhoto RGB to have it assigned (vs converted) - software GUI issue - there is no scroll bar as you would expect. I am in fact concerned about the clipping which is why I want the image files to be assigned a space vs being converted.

The only reason I'm partial to NX is because after extensive cross-testing between apps, I've always been more pleased with the colors I'm seeing. I guess I've been of the belief that Nikon has the best algorithim for converting its raw images to color - vs that of Adobe (CS3 or Lightroom). Maybe I need to get over it and just start using Lightroom for the initial part of my workflow vs NX. I only use NX for the initial capture anyhow. I use CS3 for all my editing. Thinking maybe I should use Lightroom and then CS3 moving forward.

Thanks for your response.

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by UURickRose

Thanks Andrew, I was actually hoping you would jump in with a response
When the image is brought into Photoshop, it is marked as embedded with AdobeRGB. Makes sense because the D2x only gives you 2 options to begin with (AdobeRGB or sRGB) and I always set my default as AdobeRGB and Mode II.

The matrix settings are just for in-camera JPEGs. Raw's have no color space. The converter should have a set of color space options it will encode after rendering the pixels. Has nothing to do with the settings on the camera.

[UURickRose]

Ok, in this event, I shouldn't be afraid to simply use ProPhoto RGB as the working space and check the box that says to "use this instead of embedded color space"

So I'll just follow that route.

Thanks again