Tips for getting exposure and color balance right in-camera?

While I知 generally happy with the shots I get from my D7100, I feel like I知 spending too much time post-processing my shots (RAW) for exposure and white balance, not to mention sharpening, noise reduction, etc., especially when using vintage manual lenses.

Wondering if the D7100 gurus can share their favorite techniques / tips to get better shots in-camera that require little to no post-processing. Thanks in advance!


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Are you choosing one of the profiles? Some are Adobe Profiles and others are Camera Profiles. For example, the Landscape profiles tend to offer more contrast. The Portrait profiles have much less contrast. Each profile has its own characteristics. You can toggle through them to see how their differences affect your image. They try to replicate the jpeg images you see on the back of your camera.

As for white balance, I try Auto as well as some of the presets. If I don't find one that quite suits me, then I customize one.

For sharpening, you should be able to create a preset that will apply automatically. I use the default for sharpening so I haven't done it myself.

Originally Posted by hark

Are you choosing one of the profiles? Some are Adobe Profiles and others are Camera Profiles. For example, the Landscape profiles tend to offer more contrast. The Portrait profiles have much less contrast. Each profile has its own characteristics. You can toggle through them to see how their differences affect your image. They try to replicate the jpeg images you see on the back of your camera.

As for white balance, I try Auto as well as some of the presets. If I don't find one that quite suits me, then I customize one.

For sharpening, you should be able to create a preset that will apply automatically. I use the default for sharpening so I haven't done it myself.

Cindy, thanks! Not very familiar with using profiles and presets. Thanks for the tip


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Originally Posted by Bikerbrent

Unfortunately, most raw photographs will require some post processing. The only way to completely avoid post processing is to shoot in JPEG mode.

Fair point, Brent. Not looking to completely avoid post processing (although that would be very welcome ), but hoping to minimize it.


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Originally Posted by 480sparky

Use the camera's sharpening, noise reduction etc.

Good idea, thanks I haven稚 looked at my in-camera settings for sharpening and NR in a while. Last I remember I壇 set sharpening to 7 or 8 (although I thought that only applied to JPG), and NR off. Will check what I have and report back.


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If you are using LightRoom for Post CC Classic the latest version has profiles in it. I have found utilizing them saves me some time. There are a lot of profiles to choose from and there is quite a bit of difference moving one from another.

I do not use much vintage glass I do have a 60mm 2.8D and a 50 1.8 D and that is about as vintage as I get.

Originally Posted by Danno

If you are using LightRoom for Post CC Classic the latest version has profiles in it. I have found utilizing them saves me some time. There are a lot of profiles to choose from and there is quite a bit of difference moving one from another.

I do not use much vintage glass I do have a 60mm 2.8D and a 50 1.8 D and that is about as vintage as I get.

Good to know. I知 using Adobe Camera Raw that comes with CS6. I believe it has some profiles and presets, but I haven稚 really explored them.



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I feel my original post might not have stated my problem clearly. My issue seems to be that I知 not getting the right exposure / white balance / etc. to begin with, so I知 having to post process more heavily than I壇 like. I was wondering if any of the D7100 features could help reduce the extent of post-processing needed - but the more I think about it, I feel I need to be more disciplined about applying the basics like the exposure triangle, the built-in light meter, custom WB, etc. to ensure high quality RAW shots from the get go. Otherwise, it results in a crapshoot (literally and figuratively ), often requiring extensive post-processing Thoughts?


Thank you all for your pointers and suggestions!!


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