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susan_fischer

5 Messages

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110 Points

Sat, Aug 18, 2012 1:00 PM

Lightroom? Can't get a high res. full screen image to preview in import mode

I cannot get a high res.full screen image to preview in Import mode! Importing from Nikon D300.
Need this to choose what to discard as even when large, thumbnails don't provide enough detail.
Have tried toggling between grid and full screen, "E", 1:1,double click, etc.
I am new to LR and am trying to learn via the Kelby book and other online info but have yet to find the answer. Seems silly to be stuck on this very first basic step..
What am I doing wrong?( Working on an iMac.)
Thanks for your help!

Problems

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Updated 

8 years ago

96

5

Responses

john_beardsworth

1.3K Messages

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22.5K Points

8 years ago

Simply import the files and don't make keep/trash decisions as part of the import phase. The tools for properly evaluating your pictures are far better once you have the pictures safely-recorded in the Library and copied to a backup location.

1

0

susan_fischer

5 Messages

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110 Points

Thanks for your response. I'm sure I'll end up just importing all the files if I don't find a solution. I really was under the impression that being able to properly preview/cull images was part of the import process. Actually, one of the organizational tools that LR is known for in order to facilitate workflow..
I the meantime, I'll keep trying to figure this out.. Thanks for your input!

Like

8 years ago

0

rory_hill

248 Messages

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4.1K Points

8 years ago

The whole point of being able to zoom to 1:1 in the import module is to be able to eliminate obvious culls from the import process. I use it all the time to eliminate images which do not have critical focus or sharpness. Why import and render 1:1 in LR for hundreds of images if you do not need to? Unfortunately LR has some memory management problems in the import caching process and quickly consumes available memory and then flails around a bit. This is why many photographers use photo mechanic to filter the import before continuing on to LR.

Susan - in the import module a double click on the thumbnail should show you a loupe view of the image and the cursor should now look like a magnifying glass. A single click will zoom to 1:1. You might want to check the documentation for your D300. I am wondering if your camera is embedding a reduced size JPG in the NEF file. In the shooting menu, check to see if you have image quality set to NEF + JPG. If so, next check image size, and make sure it is set to Large. It is the embedded JPG that is rendered when viewing in the import module. If the embedded JPG is small then the loupe view may already be at 100%.

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john_verne

Champion

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704 Messages

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8.5K Points

You are making this too hard. If an obvious cull is obvious at import, then don't import it. Just import it and tear through the import hitting shift-x for the not-so-obvious culls.

At some point we have to decide when to create 1:1 previews, and /after/ the import is the most logical place for that to take place.

Like

8 years ago

0

susan_fischer

5 Messages

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110 Points

Roy Hill:
I think you may be on to something; my camera is set at NEF and JPG ("fine" which I believe is one up from "large")..didn't realize it was the JPG that was rendered;good to know. That being said, it doesn't really solve my problem..although I am able to sometimes get a larger image it is so truncated that I can barely make it out..I'm determined to find a solution to be able to cull my images prior to import so I'll keep posting, reading, asking..! Thanks for your input and let me know if you think of anything else!

John Verne:
The point is, the cull is not obvious from the thumbnails prior to import..I thought that this process was one of the major advantages of LR? Maybe I am complicating my life..? Anyways, thanks for your thoughts and let me know if you have any other ideas!

Like

8 years ago

0

john_beardsworth

1.3K Messages

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22.5K Points

Then if it's not too obvious, import it and make the keep/trash decision properly when you can use compare view, for example. Import's main function is the physical safekeeping of your pictures, copying them from the card and into two places on separate hard drives. Making keep/trash decisions should only be seen as an incidental function.

Like

8 years ago

0

susan_fischer

5 Messages

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110 Points

8 years ago

Ok, so I don't have this issue when trying to import JPGs already onmy mac into LR...I can double click and get an enlarged image..
So, I'm thinking that it has to do with camera settings..right now on RAW & JPG fine..Should I try RAW only? Does anyone think that might help?
Rory Hill?

2

0

lee_jay_fingersh

946 Messages

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13.8K Points

Different cameras use different sized embedded previews for raw files. I don't know what size your camera uses, but LR only has access to that size. If you side-car JPEG is a "small" that would explain your problem. The raw-only option might use a "large" - or it might not.

Still, John B. is right - import everything and cull later. It's faster that way because the import and render operation can be going on in the background while you are culling the first imported images.

Like

8 years ago

0

rory_hill

248 Messages

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4.1K Points

I usually do this too Lee Jay, but mainly because the image review in the import module still needs TLC. A lot of users do their cull in another program such as photo mechanic for this reason. It is hard to be happy with LR after using a program like photo mechanic to review images quickly. I wish LR had to option to use the embedded previews or the rendered previews in the library. I would use the embedded previews to do the initial cull, render LR previews for the rest, and switch use the rendered previews in library. I guess I just hate to wait for a preview to be rendered on the screen in the library, an all to common experience in LR, even after rendering 1:1s.

Like

8 years ago

0

rory_hill

248 Messages

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4.1K Points

8 years ago

Susan - the image size is a separate function in Nikon cameras. Your jpg fine selection relates to image quality and has nothing to do with size. Check your image size setting.

Also, you should decide if you really want both NEF and JPG. If you are using LR anyway, then you likely do not need the JPG. A JPG will be embedded into the NEF either way.

0

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susan_fischer

5 Messages

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110 Points

8 years ago

Thank-You all for your advice! Seems I should just skip the preview prior to import..
Just trying to improve my workflow..
I've never hear of photo mechanic.. Can anyone give me a quick synopsis of its function and capabilities?

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