Photoshop to Gimp conversion question

[RokleM]

I'm trying to get use to GIMP (open source/free Photoshop look-a-like) due to not having the latest version of Photoshop which is needed for my camera to process RAW/NEF files (Nikon D90).

A couple of things I'm struggling to find. Specifically, most importantly is accurate color correction.

In photoshop, INFO on the upper right, you can see RGB/CMYK numbers when you scroll over a pixel. This is super important when adjusting levels (image-adjustments-levels). You can manually select the sidebar, but using the black, gray, white droppers is by far the best. I zoom in on images and use the RGB data on the right to get the best pixel I can that fits the black/gray/white info.

The problem is, I can do all of that in GIMP (colors-levels, and have histogram up)... but I can't find the RGB pixel info when I scroll over anything and am trying to set the black/gray/white.

I hope one of you knows what on earth I'm talking about More questions to follow as I play with the package. It is a little cumbersome, but you can't get any cheaper or cooler than open source!

 

[Misled]

Forget GIMP and go to Nikon's website and get the patch. You may have to dump and reload photoshop to get rid of old files. You can also dump photoshop, load the software that came with the camera and then reload photoshop.

 

[RokleM]

What patch? Photoshop has to support the NEF file, which isn't possible until CS3.

None the less, still looking for the GIMP answer.

 

[H@rry]

I adjust the RAW photo in Picasa, save is as JPEG, and edit that in GIMP.

 

[RokleM]

Why? Gimp has RAW plugins if that's what you're looking for.

http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/

 

[H@rry]

I tried UFRAW and didn't like it at all.

 

[RokleM]

What about it? If the raw conversion colors are off, they have profiles to match many cameras.

 

[BlueCorn]

Something that you have to understand about RAW conversion software is that the camera maker doesn't "share" with anyone. 3rd party RAW convertors have to reverse engineer the file format so quality varies quite a bit.

I recommend that you try converting via the camera that came with your camera and ufraw and then compare the two (at 100%). Gimp is a capable pixel editor but I think that you'll get better results if you use your Nikon software for the conversion.

 

[RokleM]

Good to know. I'll take a look. Capture NX2?

Any thoughts on the color level question (RGB info by pixel)?

 

[RokleM]

Hit a whole bunch of websites/tutorials last night, and I'm still not seeing where anyone covers this. I find it hard to imagine how the color level dropper/reader works properly if you can't see the RGB data for the space you're clicking on.

 

[RokleM]

FYI, the answer is "Windows->Dockable Dialogs->Pointer"

 

[kilroy217]

I use Lightroom - which only cost $100. I don't even have Photoshop loaded on my computer. Upon import, it automatically converts .NEFs to .DNGs (digital negatives) and I store those as my raw files. for more on .DNG, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Negative_(file_format)