Via Thom Hogan:
Nikon issues firmware update L 1.006 for all current DSLRs (D700 is not included so I guess they don't consider it current). The update is for new lens distortion correction data. Here is the firmware and list of affected lenses:
Firmware Update: Distortion Control Data (D90, D3X00, D5X00, D7000, D4, D800/E)
(18 posts) (10 voices)-
Posted 10 months ago #
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Nikon updated the D700 firmware less than a month ago. I think it already included lens data, thus it not being included.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Has anyone noticed any improvement over the previous version? Just curious, as usual.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I believe that these adjustments are a part of the "Retouch" feature. I don't use this feature, but I believe you choose an image, go into the "retouch" menu and then select distortion correction. You can then save the corrected image (I believe as a jpeg (or tiff?), but I could be wrong). I suspect that the only time the correction data is used is for this in-camera processing. I don't believe that this data is used automatically or that it is stored in an NEF file.
However, I wish it were stored in the NEF file so that the various processing programs could pull it right from the image...With this new data I expect that Adobe will be updating the profiles in their distortion module as well.
That's a long way of saying I haven't seen any differences and don't expect to.
Posted 10 months ago # -
But I thought D700 update was for firmwares A & B only (unless L was included anyway). D300s is not included either but then again maybe it's just because those two cameras will be replaced soon (D600 & D400). Also, both D3x and D3s are not included which is a bit weird... specially when you consider the fact that the D90 is updated.
Good guess Eric. That's probably what the firmware is for.
EDIT: Apparently the D700, D300s, D3x and D3s don't have an L firmware and that's why they were not included in this update. A simple google image search confirmed this.
Posted 10 months ago # -
If you shoot jpeg you can set up auto distortion control, that's what this is for.
I installed it for fun, but for raw shooters this won't matter.Posted 10 months ago # -
After reading Gabbb's post. I searched the manual and found a distortion control function on the shooting menu as well. Unlike the HDR option, the Auto Distortion Control feature does not dim when RAW is selected. I decided to run a test. I used the 14-24 @ 14mm. I set up my tripod and took two RAW photos of a keyboard, one with auto distortion control off and one with it on. When I looked at the images on the Camera LCD, the one with the control on was clearly straightened. I removed the card and looked at it in Lightroom, prior to importing the images one was barreled and one was much straighter. Once I imported the images they both had significant (identical) barrel distortion which the Lightroom profile correction seemed to fix in an identical fashion to the in-camera processing.
So, Gabbb is correct, and the distortion correction is automatically applied to jpegs as they are shot, including the jpeg preview associated with the NEF file. If you look at the image associated with the RAW file, you can see the correction on the thumbnail, but it is not in the RAW file.
It looks as if the corrections available in Lightroom are similar if not identical to the ones that Nikon applies to jpegs in-camera.
So. This firmware update adds additional lens and/or improved lens profiles for use in the auto distortion control feature. This feature can be used to automatically correct jpegs for lens distortions as they are taken. This feature may also be used to retouch jpegs or RAWS (subsequently saved as jpegs) to remove lens distortions.
Posted 10 months ago # -
That's interesting, if it affects the jpeg preview of the raw it's not useless for me after all. Thanks for pointing that out!
Posted 10 months ago # -
wonder if NX2 imports this info on raw images, seems its Nikon's software. So if auto correction is enabled and applied in camera on the raw preview, i know NX uses picture controls on import, anyone tried can confirm if NX imports Raw files with lens corrections same as picture controls??
Posted 10 months ago # -
NX2 supports distortion correction, but it seems to be a strictly manual operation with a slider that corrects either simple barrel or pincushion. DXO uses their own profiles, but they don't support all of the lenses that Nikon does. When I played with Lightroom, I checked to see if distortion correction was automatically enabled for those images that were shot with the camera function turned on. It was not.
I did notice that after an import, but without any other adjustments, the barrel correction remained on the thumbnail of the corrected image. So LR does not re-write the thumbnail on import.
From what I have been able to find regarding the NEF file format, it does not appear that there is a place in the NEF file for lens distortion data, although lens information is saved.
FYI Using the in-camera distortion correction does slow down the image write time, so when using this function the frame buffer will fill faster and take longer to flush.
<i>Test</i>,<i>Test</i>,iTest/iPosted 10 months ago # -
If you wait and just use the Capture NX2 Distortion control under the Adjust section, you can only adjust pincushion or barrel distortion. The default appears to be a setting of 10 which corrects a slight barrel distortion. The setting is applied regardless of what lens is used. I tested images from the 24-70 and 70-200 in Capture and the same default adjustment was applied. This setting appears unrelated to the lens or the camera.
The lens correction being applied in this firmware seems to be something different. I think the firmware applies a lens specific correction but have not had a chance to test it yet.
The embedded JPEG does reflect the correction. Nikon View and Nikon Capture honor the correction. And Photo Mechanic appears to honor the correction.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I wonder if this also corrects chromatic abrasion. I just installed it. I have the older version and use it. I figure if Nikon took the time to do it and release it then it is probably worth having.
@JohnSebs...is is just a firmware for lens corrections. So if you are worried about it messing with the function of the camera it shouldn't do anything. It isn't an operational firmware update.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I did a little test for chromatic abrasion. Shot with D7000, 35mm f1.8G
From f1.8 to f5 before and after update.
Images are full size, converted to .jpg with View NX2http://www.flickr.com/photos/bojanm/7472178822/in/set-72157630354864546
Posted 10 months ago # -
Thanks for the test bojan79m!
Is it just me though or do the after photos show more CA?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Unfortunately yes.
Posted 10 months ago # -
bojan79m said:
I did a little test for chromatic abrasion. Shot with D7000, 35mm f1.8G
From f1.8 to f5 before and after update.
Images are full size, converted to .jpg with View NX2http://www.flickr.com/photos/bojanm/7472178822/in/set-72157630354864546
It would be interesting see what happens with normal green/red axial CAs, creating an overexposed shot and then showing what it does with purple fringing is not all that informative imo.
Posted 10 months ago #
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