Nikon Z7 Technical Guide

Professional

Technical Guide

—Images—

Table of Contents

Sharpening and Softening Images ............................................................................ 3

Step 1: Make Quick Edits Using “Quick Sharp” ............................................................................ 3

Step 2: Fine-Tune “Sharpening”, “Mid-Range Sharpening”, and “Clarity” ................................. 4

“Sharpening”, “Mid-Range Sharpening”, and “Clarity” ............................................................... 7

Capture NX-D ................................................................................................................................. 9

Keeping Pictures Sharp at Small Apertures ............................................................. 10

Diraction Compensation .......................................................................................................... 10

Capture NX-D ............................................................................................................................... 10

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Sharpening and Softening Images

Adjusting the Quick sharp Picture Control setting is a quick way of making pictures sharper or softer.
Image denition can be further ne-tuned using Sharpening, Mid-range sharpening, or Clarity.

 Step 1: Make Quick Edits Using “Quick Sharp”
 Step 2: Fine-Tune “Sharpening”, “Mid-Range Sharpening”, and “Clarity”

Step 1: Make Quick Edits Using “Quick Sharp”

Adjustments to the Quick sharp Picture Control settings made by choos­ing a value between −2 (Softer in the i menu) and +2 (Sharper in the

i menu) are automatically matched by balanced adjustments to Sharp­ening, Mid-range sharpening, and Clarity. Select A to let the camera

automatically choose the optimal values for the scene.

For images that are softer overall, select a negative (softer) value. This can be used, for example, to
soften the complexions of portrait subjects.

Picture Control: Standard

Quick sharp: 0 Quick sharp: −2 (softer)

For images that are sharper overall, select a positive (sharper) value. This can be used for landscapes

and other situations in which greater overall denition may be required.

Picture Control: Standard

Quick sharp: 0 Quick sharp: +2 (sharper)

Landscapes

Positive values for Quick sharp are particularly eective when applied to distant landscapes shrouded
by mist or haze.

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Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

Step 2: Fine-Tune “Sharpening”, “Mid-Range Sharpening”, and “Clarity”

After using Quick sharp to obtain the desired overall look, you can ne­tune the results using Sharpening and its sisters. The examples below
show how to soften the complexions of portrait subjects while leaving
their eyes clearly visible. The recommended settings for images des­tined for printing vary with output size.

Original (Taken with the “Standard” Picture Control) Quick Sharp: −2 (“Softer”)

Sharpening 3
Mid-range sharpening 2
Clarity 1

A3 Output Viewed at a Distance of 60cm (2 ft) A1 Output Viewed at a Distance of 60cm (2 ft)

Sharpening 2
Mid-range sharpening 1
Clarity −1

The table lists the default values for
the Standard Picture Control.

Sharpening and Mid-range sharp­ening have been increased so that

the eyes are clearly dened, while
Clarity has been left at −1 to keep
the complexion smooth.

Sharpening −0.5
Mid-range sharpening −1
Clarity −1

Sharpening 3
Mid-range sharpening −1
Clarity −1

Selecting −2 for Quick sharp soft­ens the complexion of the portrait
subject.

Sharpening has been raised to 3
so that the eyes are clearly dened,
while Mid-range sharpening and
Clarity have been left at −1 to keep
the complexion smooth.

Choosing Picture Control Settings Based on Output Size

How an image appears when viewed from a given distance varies with the output size:

• When pictures are printed or displayed at a large size, small details will be visible. Most adjustments should
therefore be made using Sharpening, which eectively softens or sharpens ne elements.

• When pictures are printed or displayed at a small size, small details are not visible. Most adjustments
should therefore be made using Clarity, which has its greatest eect at the borders between the main
subject and the background.

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Adjusting Sharpening Settings for A3 Output

Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

Quick Sharp: −2

Sharpening −0.5
Mid-range sharpening −1
Clarity −1

Adjusted Settings

Sharpening 2
Mid-range sharpening 1
Clarity −1

Sharpening and Mid­range sharpening

have been increased so
that the eyes are clearly
dened, while Clarity
has been left at −1 to
keep the complexion
smooth.

Choosing positive values for Sharpening and Mid-range

sharpening ensures that the eyes remain sharp.

Clarity is left at a negative value for a smoother complexion.

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Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

Adjusting Sharpening Settings for A1 Output

Quick Sharp: −2

Sharpening −0.5
Mid-range sharpening −1
Clarity −1

Adjusted Settings

Sharpening 3
Mid-range sharpening −1
Clarity −1

Sharpening has been
raised to 3 so that
the eyes are clearly
dened, while Mid-
range sharpening
and Clarity have been
set to −1 to keep the
complexion smooth.

Sharpening has been set to a high positive value to ensure
that the eyes are clearly dened.

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Mid-range sharpening and Clarity are left at negative
values for a smoother complexion.

Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

“Sharpening”, “Mid-Range Sharpening”, and “Clarity”

Sharpening, Mid-range sharpening, and
Clarity each apply to dierent areas of

the image. In the picture shown here, for
example, Sharpening can be employed
in ne-tuning the appearance of eyelash­es and other ne details, while Clarity is
best used to make the subject stand out
from the background. Mid-range sharp-
ening is eective in adjusting the level of
detail visible in the middle range, such as
around the nose and mouth.

The settings best used for images that will be viewed on a display vary with the zoom ratio and other
factors.

Sharpening

Mid-range sharpening

Clarity

Clarity Mid-range sharpening Sharpening

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Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

When images are printed, the visibility of each adjustment varies with the output size.

 Sharpening: This parameter controls the sharpness of details and outlines and can be adjusted in the

range −3 to +9. Its eects are most visible when images are output at larger sizes, equivalent to A1
(approximately 0.5m2/5.4sq. ft).

Sharpening: −3 Sharpening: +9

 Mid-range sharpening: This parameter controls the sharpness of patterns and lines in the range be-

tween Sharpening and Clarity and can be set to values of from −5 to +5. Its eects are most visi­ble when images are output at sizes equivalent to A3 (approximately 0.125m2/1.3sq. ft).

Mid-range sharpening: −5 Mid-range sharpening: +5

 Clarity: This parameter controls the sharpness of the borders between the main subject and the

background and can be adjusted in the range −5 to +5. Its eects are most visible when images
are output at smaller sizes equivalent to A4 (letter size) or a 5× 7 print.

Clarity: −5 Clarity: +5

“Clarity”

Large changes to Clarity may result in apparent changes to overall contrast.

“NEF (RAW) Processing”

Sharpening and other settings for pictures shot in NEF (RAW) format can be adjusted after shooting us‑
ing Capture NX‑D or the NEF (RAW) processing option in camera’s retouch menu, whether or not they
have previously been altered on the camera.

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Sharpening and Softening Images, Continued

Capture NX-D

As of January 2019, the only cameras with Quick sharp and Mid-range sharpening are the Z7 and
Z6. Capture NX-D versions 1.5.1 and later, however, oer these parameters with all NEF (RAW) im­ages, regardless of the camera used to create them. The procedure varies depending on the camera
used for the original picture:

 In the case of NEF (RAW) pictures taken with a Z7 or Z6, Quick sharp and Mid-range sharpening will

be available via the Picture Control tool in the edit palette.

 In the case of NEF (RAW) pictures taken with a camera other than the Z7 or Z6 *, Quick sharp and Mid-

range sharpening will only be available if you click the Picture Control icon (q) in the edit palette
and select Camera compatible> Latest Picture Control from the Picture Control menu (w).

q

w

* Digital SLR and Nikon 1 cameras.

Capture NX-D can be downloaded free-of-charge from the Nikon Download Center at the URL below:

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com

Be sure to use version 1.5.1 or later. More information is available via online help.

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Keeping Pictures Sharp at Small Apertures

Enabling Diraction compensation in the photo shooting menu helps
reduce loss of denition caused by diraction in pictures taken at small
apertures (high f/-numbers).

Diffraction Compensation

While the eects of diraction may still be visible in landscapes and in other pictures taken with
aperture stopped all the way down, enabling Diraction compensation lets you shoot at small ap­ertures without worrying too much about loss of denition. It is generally recommended that you
shoot with Diraction compensation enabled, although it can be purposely disabled for photos in
which the eects of diraction are visible.

f/22, Diraction compensation o f/22, Diraction compensation on

Diraction compensation is available with Z mount lenses as well as with CPU-equipped F mount
lenses connected via an FTZ mount adapter (non-CPU lenses are not supported).

Capture NX-D

The Diraction compensation option in the Capture
NX-D Camera and Lens Corrections tool can be used
to turn diraction compensation on or o when NEF
(RAW) pictures taken with Z7 or Z6 cameras are dis­played.

“Diraction Compensation”

The Diraction compensation option in Capture NX‑D
is available only with NEF (RAW) pictures taken using a
Z7 or Z6.

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