Canon G7X II raw files are constantly 1 to 2 apertures too dark in lightroom

[traveler6666]

This is related to the latest LR version 2015.8. This is not a problem of the camera since jpg are not underexposed. This problem occures mainly when shooting outside with a lot of sun and contrast and using the D+ setting of the camera.

[elie_dinur]

The way the D+ setting works when the camera is processing a jpg is that the image is intentionally underexposed by a stop by setting the ISO amplifier one stop lower. Then a tone curve is applied that raises the darkest tones by around a stop, the medium tones by roughly a half stop and the brightest  highlights not at all. thus canceling most of the underexposure. The result is that the highlights are more protected against clipping (blowing out to pure featureless white) and retain more detail, but there is also the strong chance that noise in the shadows will be more visible. This can only be done during the processing of an RGB (jpg) image, so when the camera is outputting a CR2 Raw file it merely puts a flag on the file. If the Raw conversion is done in Canon's DPP, the flag is seen and the appropriate curve is applied, but third party converters - like Lightroom - don't see the flag or don't know what it means. And thus the image remains dark until you manually do something to brighten it with the Basic Panel controls or the Curve Editor.

[F. McLion]

About the same applies to Nikon D-Lighting - thanks elie-di for the detailed explanation

If you shoot RAW, I suggest to turn off all of these gimmicks.

[Just Shoot Me]

As mentioned above. Put simply RAW is RAW and LR doesn't honor 99% of In Camera settings for RAW files.

[traveler6666]

Thanks for the many Replys. So I guess the raw converter has to be fixed, as RAW files with the D+ feature work fine for RAW files from the D5III, 7DI and 7DII.

[Per Berntsen]

I have to agree with F. McLion  - turn off the D+ setting in the camera.

elie_di has also given a very good explanation about what happens when you use it.

For more information on how to expose your photos, take a look at this article: Exposing a digital image

[F. McLion]

Very nice article about ETTR

[Per Berntsen]

Thank you!

[Jao vdL · Accepted solution]

traveler6666 wrote:

Thanks for the many Replys. So I guess the raw converter has to be fixed, as RAW files with the D+ feature work fine for RAW files from the D5III, 7DI and 7DII.

It should not work either for those cameras. My guess is that they underexpose by a smaller amount as they have more headroom to start and so you might not notice, but raw files shot in any of the dynamic modes on any camera will come in too dark in Lightroom. It simply does not read this setting at all.