Photographer Begs Nikon to Add A number of Publicity RAW Seize Again

Sandra Bartocha Nikon petition — © Sandra Bartocha

Wonderful artwork photographer Sandra Bartocha is an skilled with a number of publicity methods. For some motive, Nikon Z cameras are considerably worse for a number of publicity pictures than Nikon’s DSLR cameras to the diploma that Bartocha has began a petition in hopes of encouraging Nikon to handle the issue.

For a very long time, Nikon DSLR cameras allowed photographers to make use of in-camera a number of publicity mode and save the composite picture as a full-resolution RAW picture. Nikon Z mirrorless cameras have eliminated this feature, forcing photographers to avoid wasting the output as an 8-bit JPEG picture.

“For so long as cameras have existed, photographers have been in a position to make use of a number of exposures to create artistic photographs. The mix of images, the overlay of constructions, the fascinating addition of various components of the picture are necessary instruments in creative pictures. This has at all times been attainable in each analog and digital pictures with SLR cameras,” explains Bartocha in her Change.org petition.

Whereas a number of publicity pictures is admittedly a distinct segment pictures specialty, it maintains a small however enthusiastic group of supporters. Bartocha’s petition has reached almost 630 signatures on the time of publication, with over 140 individuals having signed it simply right this moment.

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Why Did Nikon Change the Characteristic for Mirrorless Cameras?

Nikon digital SLR cameras since a minimum of the D200 allowed photographers to seize a number of publicity RAW photographs. That spans many APS-C and full-frame cameras with various picture sensors. Why did Nikon take away this function from mirrorless cameras?

PetaPixel contacted Nikon for remark and its Nikon’s official stance on the matter is as follows:

Whereas we will’t touch upon future releases, we’ll at all times contemplate buyer suggestions for improvement of merchandise and options.

PetaPixel requested Nikon why the flexibility to seize a number of publicity images in RAW format has been faraway from Z cameras, however Nikon did immediately reply.

What Can Nikon Z Cameras do for Photographers Like Bartocha?

Talking to PetaPixel, Bartocha explains that with the Z6 and Z7 cameras, there’s a workaround that enables photographers to avoid wasting the output file as a 16-bit TIFF, which she says “continues to be not the perfect answer, as you continuously want the file format when taking pictures.” Nevertheless, she provides that Nikon has eliminated this workaround with the Z8 and Z9.

Save for that tedious workaround, the one choice photographers have when utilizing the a number of publicity mode on Z cameras is to avoid wasting the composite output picture as an 8-bit JPEG file. Particular person images that comprise the composite might be saved as RAW information, which is sweet, however ideally, photographers might save the output as a RAW file as was attainable earlier than.

Why Not Use Photoshop?

Many individuals, particularly those that aren’t multiple-exposure artists themselves, might surprise what the issue is. Why not simply Photoshop and mix RAW information?

“The argument that these single RAW information are simply mixed with Photoshop isn’t really easy both,” Bartocha tells PetaPixel. “As I perceive a number of exposures, two underexposed frames can be layered as unfavorable multiply to type an accurate publicity.”

“Photoshop would possibly work for 2 or three information, however I don’t get how you’d do 10. Not less than, I’m lacking proof to date. Both manner, I want to spare that point in simply getting the choice again, which has by no means been an issue earlier than,” Bartocha provides.

“The argument that photographs can be mixed in post-processing on the pc misses the spontaneous and artistic second that photographers around the globe worth when utilizing this operate. It’s not in regards to the nostalgic simulation of a operate from analog occasions that has lengthy since develop into redundant, however in regards to the artistic course of on the photograph location, the magic of trial and error, and the thrilling momentum of coincidence that stands in distinction to the superbly organized composing on the pc. It’s due to this fact in regards to the magic of pictures itself,” Bartocha explains in her petition.

This is a vital level, as a result of even when Photoshop had been an ideal substitute from a performance perspective, which Bartocha thinks it isn’t, post-processing won’t ever be capable to replicate the workflows that in-camera processing options allow. As evidenced by well-liked cameras with retro-inspired styling and plenty of dials, that are arguably slower than customized operate buttons for adjusting settings, photographers care in regards to the “expertise” of pictures so much, typically much more than the outcomes themselves.

The a number of publicity mode in Nikon cameras permits photographers to decide on between three overlay modes: add, common, lighten, and darken.

Within the add mode, exposures are overlaid with out modification and acquire isn’t adjusted. Within the common mode, acquire is adjusted earlier than exposures are overlaid, and the acquire for every publicity is the same as one divided by the overall variety of exposures taken. Rounding out the modes, the digicam compares pixels in every picture and makes use of solely the brightest within the lighten overlay mode. Unsurprisingly, the darken mode is the alternative — solely the darkest pixels are used.

In the course of the taking pictures, combos, and creations emerge that mirror the emotion of a location or the sentiments of a fleeting second. Moods that can’t simply be reproduced on the pc. On location, the attainable choices can be higher assessed and additional developed, which contributes considerably to the coherent last consequence.

Is There an Inherent Limitation in Mirrorless Cameras?

Whereas Nikon itself didn’t clarify why its mirrorless cameras have omitted a function that was lengthy accessible in Nikon DSLR cameras, photographers don’t appear to have a lot by means of rationalization both.

“It’s unclear why Nikon solely saves multi-exposures as JPEGs within the mirrorless cameras. The choice to do that appears fully arbitrary,” Bartocha says.

It does appear that Nikon’s cameras are actually highly effective sufficient to ship her requested function. Nikon Skilled Providers in Germany, the place Bartocha lives, tells her that they haven’t any rationalization both, as they imagine that Nikon’s Z cameras must be able to providing the function.

To Canon’s credit score, as Bartocha factors out, some Canon EOS R-series mirrorless cameras can save a number of publicity composites as RAW information. For instance, the favored Canon EOS R5 and R6 cameras can do it.

Nevertheless, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II can not. Some individuals speculate that it has one thing to do with in depth in-camera lens corrections utilized in mirrorless cameras. Nevertheless, if that’s the case, that ought to have additionally been true of the R5 and R6.

Nevertheless, so as to add some weight to this rationalization, when utilizing the a number of publicity function on Canon cameras, some lenses forestall the mode from getting used, in line with Bartocha.

PetaPixel additionally reached out to Canon to touch upon this story, despite the fact that the petition considerations Nikon Z cameras. Canon USA’s substantive response is as follows:

It’s true some earlier cameras had been in a position to seize multi-exposure in digicam in RAW with some lens restrictions (not all lenses had been supported). Nevertheless, with the brand new fashions such because the EOS R6 Mark II, this function solely permits for JPEG seize. In an effort to assist a number of the EOS R6 Mark II’s enhancements, this function for multi-exposure seize in RAW couldn’t be achieved. Canon acknowledges it’s a requested function and can proceed to take heed to the dear suggestions prospects present.

So, lenses do appear to be concerned, however it’s not clear particularly which Canon EOS R6 II function prevents the supply of in-camera a number of publicity RAW photographs.

Subsequent Steps and Hopes for the Way forward for A number of Publicity Pictures within the Mirrorless Age

“A number of exposures taken in-camera are as such a really area of interest factor. It’s primarily utilized by photographers as a artistic software. They need to do it within the area and the need to have a high-quality file, that enables for additional changes, printing, and so on. Many ICM photographers use it,” Bartocha says.

Once more, this isn’t some throwaway function, even when that’s exactly how Nikon handled it within the transition to mirrorless. Bartocha says that she had heard from some photographers that they don’t seem to be upgrading to a mirrorless digicam due to this situation. She is aware of of others who’ve switched to Canon — though that transfer might backfire if future cameras go the best way of the R6 II. She has additionally heard about individuals who need Nikon’s thrilling Z cameras, however is not going to purchase one as a result of this function is unavailable.

Whereas these are anecdotal studies and never full-fledged surveys, they hit on one thing necessary.

It’s a function that folks need, it’s a function that was beforehand accessible, and there’s no apparent motive why it can’t be introduced again.

As Nikon tells PetaPixel, the corporate listens to buyer suggestions. By firmware updates, Nikon has delivered many important enhancements and new options to current Z cameras. In some instances, the adjustments are huge. Maybe that is one other occasion the place Nikon can cater to its prospects and add — or deliver again, on this case — a requested function.

Photographers focused on becoming a member of Bartocha’s trigger can sign up on Change.org. It is crucial that folks’s voices are heard and it does appear to be Nikon is listening.