Why do RAW photos look sharp at first in Aperture, then softer than in Finder?
Asked 6/2/2013
1 views
2 answers
0
When I import photos from a Samsung NX1000 into Aperture, each image initially looks sharp, but after a moment it becomes noticeably softer. If I open the original file in Finder instead, it looks sharp.
I have not edited the files. Aperture shows the camera correctly, but the lens is listed as "Unknown Lens" for my 20–50mm f/3.5–5.6 lens.
Why would the image look sharper in Finder than in Aperture, and is the unknown lens identification related?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
5
You are probably working with RAW files. RAW files include a preview of the image rendered as the camera would have made a JPEG, which includes some sharpening applied. When you first load the image in a program like aperture, the preview JPEG is displayed until the RAW file can be processed. Since the RAW file has no sharpening applied, it appears to get more blurry after processing finishes.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is most likely normal RAW-file behavior, not a lens-recognition problem.
A RAW file usually contains an embedded JPEG preview made by the camera. That preview has the camera’s own processing applied, including sharpening. When Aperture first opens the file, it may briefly show that embedded preview. Then, once Aperture finishes rendering the actual RAW data, the image can look softer because RAW processing starts with less sharpening.
Finder is likely showing the embedded preview or a processed version that appears sharper, while Aperture is showing its own RAW interpretation.
So the softness you see is probably due to different rendering and sharpening, not because Aperture says "Unknown Lens." If needed, apply sharpening in Aperture to match the look of the camera preview.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI13y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why does my Canon 70D look sharp in Live View but softer after capture?
Why do photos from my Nikon D3200 look less sharp than they do in the viewfinder?
Why do my photos look softer at f/22 than at f/14 on a tripod?
Why is my Samsung NX1000 suddenly overexposing photos in A/S modes?
Why does my Samsung NX1000 say “No lens fitted” with the kit lens attached?