Our Processing of Sigma (Foveon) Raw Files (updated)

We use a Sigma DP2 Merrill camera with a Foveon sensor. The Foveon sensor samples all three RGB channels at each pixel. This results in a very different kind of raw processing. So far only the free Sigma Photo Pro raw converter (SPP) can do the job properly. The overall workflow with only SPP would be not nearly as refined and complete as we are used to with Lightroom. That is why we use SPP as a raw preprocessor for Lightroom.
Sigma Photo Pro UI If we have properly exposed images we actually use SPP in batch mode, which can save us a lot of time. If time were not that much of an issue we would tweak the following properties in SPP:

• White Balance
• Exposure to avoid clipped highlights (our default is -0.3)
• Some X3 Fill Light to open up the shadows a bit (our default was +1.0, maybe a bit agressive as others suggest to stay below +0.3 to avoid banding)

Here is how you can define the processing parameters for your batch run. Select one image and adjust it as you like. Save these settings as a new named preset.

Here are the controls that are saved in SPP when saving processing settings:

• Exp
• Contr
• Shad
• Highl
• Satura
• Shrpnss
• X3 Fill Light
• And also the color wheel

Then select all the images you want to process and choose the previously saved preset as you processing:

Save Images with a defined processing Preset

Often we just save the results as very low compressed JPEGs to save space. In some cases you may actually want to use 16-bit TIFFs. We save the converted images into a subfolder located with the original raw images. Lightroom won't be able to even import the original ".X3F" files and you only will see the converted images.
We leave these operations to Lightroom:
• White Balance fine tuning (has to be in the right ballpark before)
• Exposure fine tuning (has to be in the right ballpark before)
• Opening Shadows
• Global and local contrast
• Final black and white point
• Vibrance and/or Saturation
• Selective color tuning
• CA removal (not much todo here)
• Lens distortion correction
• Perspective corrections
• Gradients (major)
• Adjustment Brushes (very powerful)
• Artistic look creation
• B&W conversion

Here are two samples that show the results we get from batch-processed images.

From SPPProcessed in LightroomFrom SPPAfter LR processing Because we batch process our images in SPP the workflow is not as bad as it seems. It helps us to enjoy the very special look of these Foveon images.

Learn more about Lightroom from our e-books:

Comments

[Jonne Naarala]

Hi!
Thank you so much for this very informative post! I just recently got Sigma DP2M and now I am trying to get to know it and post-processing procedures. You stated in the post that you export as JPEGs. Do you feel that you still could do the post-processing in LR to those JPEGs or are you using TIFFs if you need to process extensively in LR?

I feel that we can do quite much for JPEGs and it saves so much disk space.

One question more about SPP. Is there any other way to change WB beside that pop-up list? Is there any sliders for WB at all?

Thanks for your nice site. I have been reading it regularly.

Best wishes,

Jonne

[Uwe Steinmueller]

>One question more about SPP. Is there any other way to change WB beside that pop-up list? Is there any sliders for WB at all?

I do WB in post in LR (not ideal though). But you should be also able to use the color picker with the color wheel.