You’re right. The full resolution preview is there saved. There’s no good reason not to resize it in preview at screen size. Even a web browser could do a better job of rescaling large image.
Like Irkrol I always export several versions for proper preview.
I sometimes need to export different images to properly see the effect on the whole image not just of sharpness-related sliders but of all customizations that affect image colour .
I can’t quite trust the PhotoLab previews. I hadn’t realised how much the blurry preview issue affects everyone else and even myself.
Forcing zooming to 75% plus does not do this M43 shooter any favours, especially not when shooting landscapes recently.
We get advice not to pixel peep - but it’s an inherent feature of the software. You can’t use it without effectively pixel peeping - and this can be a real motivation killer in editing, when you see an image you liked at normal viewing size, but are forced to magnify it by the software and start spotting flaws.
I would add my voice to those asking for images to be properly rendered at any zoom level.
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mwsilvers
(Mark - New Jersey, USA, Win10, RTX 4060, PL9, FP8, VP5, Nikon Zf )
44
To which version of PhotoLab are you referring? New in PhotoLab 9, the results of the Lens Sharpness Optimization sliders and the Unsharp Mask sliders are now viewable at all zoom levels.
Again with this? They are NOT. I have corrected you on this several times already, with examples.
DXO simply has changed the threshold from 75% to 55%.
But below 55% we have already amply proven that PL9 still is VERY inaccurate in its preview, exactly like PL8 was below 75%.
We still are VERY far from a preview that’s accurate at all zoom levels.
And if the examples I have posted in the past weeks are not enough, here is straight from DXO Customer Service:
“PhotoLab uses different preview rendering methods depending on the zoom level. At lower or intermediate zoom levels, the software displays a simplified preview to keep navigation smooth—especially with high-resolution RAW files. Full-quality rendering, including precise color, noise reduction, and detail corrections, is applied only at 100% (1:1) zoom or in exported images.
Because of this, color or micro-contrast differences can appear when viewing images at zoom levels between “Fit” and 1:1.”
mwsilvers
(Mark - New Jersey, USA, Win10, RTX 4060, PL9, FP8, VP5, Nikon Zf )
47
I have no idea why your testing shows different results than mine. I have done extensive isolated testing for months with hundreds of images from different cameras and different lenses on my 28“ 4K monitor and I’m satisfied that the sharpness problem is materially fixed, even if not 100% perfect.
I tend to take pictures that show the issue much more quickly (landscape with a lot of fine detail at high contrast)
I have better eyes
The second explanation (kind of subjects and photographic style) is the most likely. I agree that with many subjects the issue is NOT noticeable at all, but with what I shoot it’s absolutely blatant. And DxO agrees with me (which doesn’t mean that they are going to fix it soon).
And anyway, some were denying the issue already with PL7 and PL8, repeating “if I can’t see it, it’s not an issue”. Not seeing an issue doesn’t mean it’s not there (for those who are able to see it).
Looks like a misprint – you probably meant here PL8 (and PL7).
I wouldn’t say it’s always “VERY inaccurate” but it’s inaccurate indeed in specific cases. Otherwise my experience matches yours with 45mpx raws on 4k monitor. Thanks for publishing DxO response.
It’s not about sharpness but false colors/saturation.
I have given them the suggestion of ALWAYS rendering internally at 100% and then scaling down for the preview, as a user-selectable option only for those who require absolute precision. Some sort of “ultra quality preview”. It should be VERY easy to implement. They are thinking about it (which means we will see it in PL12 or PL13, maybe).
Easily accessible button for DeepPRIME preview rendering is yet another thing missing. You have it in preferences (luckily change doesn’t require PL restart) but I would like to have a quicker option too.
Easily accessible button for DeepPRIME preview rendering is yet another thing missing. You have it in preferences (luckily change doesn’t require PL restart)
Thanks for the reminder. I’d upgraded and had not pressed the magic button. Big improvement on preview. Helps me be happier about the PL9 update. My PhotoLab is on powerful hardware so can handle the performance hit (forced upgrade to be able to run PhotoLab but need lots of RAM, which means $$$$ upgrades on Apple hardware).
An update on this topic which had been going on (in several threads) for 5-6 years…
Give Ceasar what belongs to Caesar: I have downloaded PL10 trial version, and look and behold… The issue is FIXED!
The viewer now (at least with DeepPrime render activated) displays colour and sharpening correctly at every zoom level above 25%!
It’s better than PL9, and HUGELY better than PL8.
There still is a very minor, almost undetectable, shift at 25% and below, but it’s really a non-issue now.
All this while performance/lag has not got worse on my machine. Actually, it’s gotten slightly better!
It took years, but now I am satisfied, and I will definitely upgrade this year (last year I skipped exactly because they still had failed to fix the issue).
That’s great news, thanks for checking @Lucabeer! I’m surprised it’s not mentioned in the release notes anywhere. I also did not upgrade to 9 yet, but this likely pushes me over the edge for 10.