RAW file sharpness from Canon 5DMk2 vs. 5DMk3

[Per Martinsson]

My only digital camera so far has been the 5DMk2. I have now also gotten a 5DMk3. When I view the RAW files in Canon’s DPP straight from the camera I experience a different feel to the images from the Mk2 and Mk3. Color and contrast are not quite the same, since my eyes have been used to the Mk2 the new Mk3 RAW files don’t feel “right”. The worst thing is that the sharpness of the Mk3 RAW files appears to be lower than from my old Mk2. I have not yet ruled out the possibility of a front/back focus issue being at play. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I have checked focus setup with the lens (500/4) and 5DMk3 and the conclusion is that a -3 micro adjustment can bump the sharpness a fraction. But the sharpness impression, or lack of sharpness impression compared to 5DMk2 to be correct, is still there. I use the same hands-on technique actually taking the pictures, so that factor can be ruled out. The other option would be that the 5DMk3 AF system reacts ‘differently’ in the field with a real live target in the viewfinder. Most of the time I used single point AF with the center point.

The 5DMk3 has firmware 1.1.3. and the DPP is ver. 3.11.31.0.

I realize that DPP is maybe not the preferred software for many but the relation between the results from the 5DMk2 and 5DMk3 should logically be similar regardless of selected software.

Can this be a Canon DPP RAW conversion issue? Or is the difference in color and contrast straight from the cameras playing tricks with my eyes? I do also have Lightroom 3.6 and Photoshop 5 but I have not yet upgraded to the latest version hence my question if anyone has the same experience with Canon’s DPP.

[arash_hazeghi]

the 5D3 and 5D2 RAW files are almost indistinguishable . I think you are using the wrong settings for 5D3 in DPP. It defaults to a different setting for 5D3. Use sharpness in the RAW tab instead of unsharp mask and make sure luminance NR is set to OFF.

[Roger Clark]

Hi Per,

I suggest trying this test:

Set your camera up on a tripod with the lens axis perpendicular to a flat subject, like a brick wall, or newspaper taped to a wall, or some other flat subject with fine detail. Use mirror lock-up. Take an image with normal phase detect AF, and then with live view contrast detect AF. Do you see a difference in the image sharpness? If there is a difference, the "live view" focus should be sharper and you have a microadjustment error. The live view focus on both the 5D2 and 5D3 should produce very similar images.

Roger

[Doug Brown]

You could also try opening up the RAW files in another program and see if the results are the same. DPP definitely had some major issues with 5D3 RAW files when the camera first came out.

[Per Martinsson]

I knew about the sharpness setting but I had missed that had by default turned on Luminance NR and Chrominance NR. Turning them off regained some sharpness.

[Per Martinsson]

The phase shift error was about -3 on the lens- camera combo, checking the other night. Together with the default NR turned on for the 5DMk3 in Canon DPP it explains for some of my 'soft' impression. Once I get my Lightroom updated to 4 I may gain a bit more if I interpet you guys right. Thanks.

[arash_hazeghi]

I knew about the sharpness setting but I had missed that had by default turned on Luminance NR and Chrominance NR. Turning them off regained some sharpness.

That should fix it. Also make sure ALO is set to off (it is applied by default for 5D3)

DPP renders 5D3 files sharper than third party converters and output is less grainy too. I wouldn't use LR if you are comfortable with using DPP.