.RAF raw files change look when loaded in the viewer

[Ben Dune]

I am using a File System window. I’ve pointed to a folder with some Fuji raw .raf files.

When they load up, I can see all the thumbnails. When I then select an image to view full size, it loads for a second then I see the image change its colour tone to become much “flatter” in its look.

I remember reading something about there being a setting around this, or maybe I’m mis-remembering? If so, what is the setting? If not, can you help me understand what is happening here?

Thanks

[BenB]

Similar problem with .RW2 files. However sometimes it’s fine, sometimes it’s not. Not with the same picture but with the same filetype.
Have been fiddling with the automatic settings when opening a RAW file. Sometimes it’s fine sometimes not, haven’t found a permanent solution though to get it always right when opening a file. Even after edits, it turns wrong again when re-opening the edited file.
Have been away for a while, due to personal situation, so perhaps I have to read instruction’s again -;)., or find the specific topic in the forum.

[Nik Bhatt]

The first image you are seeing is the camera-generated JPEG. That can have major differences from the decode of the original for two reasons:

1) the camera JPEG has whatever settings you put in the camera, such as Picture Styles, Dynamic Range, and Sharpening, but the RAW does not.
2) The RAW decode is not designed to look like the JPEG anyway – Apple strives for a consistent look across camera models, not matching each camera maker’s JPEG (which is a moving target and also the algorithms in the camera are not documented anyway).

The easiest way to see this is to set your camera into Monochrome mode and take an image.

You have two choices: you can have that shift occur when you enter Edit, or when you are still in 1-up, before Edit. There is a preference in the app called Quick Preview. When you set that, the app will defer the decode until Edit.

[Ben Dune]

Ok thanks for clarifying.

Perhaps related is that even with these setting off, the white balance values are wrong. I shoot manual WB of 5500K. But when I first open the edit panel for a .raf I see the white balance is already adjusted to something like 7700K and some Tint is also applied. Why is that?

[Nik Bhatt]

I don’t know. Apple’s RAW decoder will determine the white balance from the metadata of the file. Are these compressed RAF or not?

[Ben Dune]

They are uncompressed RAF. If I open the same file in darktable it shows the correct kelvin value.

[Nik Bhatt]

If you open the file in Photos and go into Edit, you can see what it shows. To do that go to Photos’ White Balance and choose Temperature / Tint.

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