Creating Custom tone curves (TCD1 and TCD2) for the Canon 1dmk2
So the trick to creating curves is using Eos Viewer Utilitiy (im using version 1.0.0.30) and having the Camera set to take RAW files, it won't work otherwise. Take a RAW picture then open the raw tools pallet. From there click on the curves button and you can modify and save curves. Then in the same location you set your cameras personal functions with in windows, you can upload the saved curves as TCD1 and TCD2.I accomplished what I was trying to do, so I thought I'd share the results. My goal was to boost the shadows and midtones, but keep the highlights the same. I wanted to do this in camera during the raw conversion, rather than manipulating the jpgs in photoshop. I never liked how dark the shadows were out of the camera and found myself constantly over exposing to compensate. Now I don't have to.
here are the two curves I created if someone wants to download and try them, here you go:
http://lastnightphoto.com/canon/shadow_boost.TCD
http://lastnightphoto.com/canon/brighter.TCD
The images below were all taken with the same exposure, the only difference is the in-camera processing of the picture.
standard curve - note how dark the walls are.
shadow boost curve - note the brightness in the lamp is the same, but the rest of the room doens't look so dark. Effectively this increased my dynamic range, allowing me to fit a wider range of brightness levels in one exposure.
brighter curve - this brightens the midtones, you can see the lamp is a bit blown out.
Here is what the two custom curves I created look like. The Standard curve looks like a straight line from corner to corner. Below is my shadow boost curve
shadow_boost
brighter
Here is a comparison of my 1dmk2 using my custom shadow_boost curve and my 5D using standard picture styles. Both cameras were set to ISO800, f/6.3, 1/60 Sec.
1dmk2
5d
Looking at the lamp in each picture, you can see highlights in both pictures are roughly equal. I much prefer the look of the 1dmk2 over the 5d. It's a shame canon replaced custom curves with picture styles, I don't think the same effect is possible with picture styles. While it's true the shadow brightening effect can be done in post with photoshop, its better to have the effect done during the conversion from RAW to JPG. Not only is there an improvement in quality, but pics look so much better out of the camera.
Here is another comparison, 1dmk2 vs. 5d. ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/160 Sec
1dmk2
5d
Note how much greener the grass is, especially beind the shadow from the rocks in the 1dmk2 picture.
Here are a couple more comparisons:
std curve
shadow boost
