From ddf8ea1286e41b1687be618aa25cc7752d28d69c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:07:49 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 1/8] add note about DRxxx/HLG/etc modes being very dark --- content/about/faq.md | 3 +++ 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 225f7941..596bb621 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ Some file formats are not supported. The camera support page has a full list. ### Why doesn’t the raw image look like the JPEG? This is explained [in the manual](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#why-doesnt-the-raw-image-look-like-the-jpeg). +### No, I mean my images are **very** dark, not just dull +If you are using Dynamic Range, Highlight Preservation, or HDR modes, your camera is deliberately underexposing the image by using a lower ISO than you've set (and is recorded in the image's metadata), and is relying on post-processing lightening to give a "normal"-looking image with better highlight definition. darktable is unable to determine the corrections needed (which are proprietary and often in the form of a custom tone curve instead of simple EV correction), so you will need to manually apply the correction. For Fujifilm, DR200 mode needs an additional +1 EV exposure correction and DR400 mode needs +2 EV. For Nikon Z-series cameras, HLG tone mode needs an additional +2 EV and probably some tone curve adjustment. + ### Why is the interface so flat and grey? The default theme has been carefully designed to limit certain optical illusions that affect how brightness, contrast and saturation are perceived. Changing to a darker theme, in particular, can lead to images that are too dark or over-saturated. This is explained in detail in the manual [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/module-reference/utility-modules/darkroom/color-assessment/), [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/preferences-settings/general/) and [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#edit-in-a-controlled-environment). From 1626c58f69b5e1ff65b96690644888f041e41d95 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:08:38 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 2/8] add note about compression formats --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 596bb621..85e20f19 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ No. Other than both being raw editors with DAM features, and looking somewhat si Please see the [camera support page](/resources/camera-support/). ### My camera is supported, but darktable can't open the photos -Some file formats are not supported. The camera support page has a full list. +Some file formats are not supported, as are some compression options for otherwise-supported formats. The camera support page has a full list. ### Why doesn’t the raw image look like the JPEG? This is explained [in the manual](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#why-doesnt-the-raw-image-look-like-the-jpeg). From 0705347524cdc4097c2093376115ed8389e675b9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:09:15 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 3/8] alternative -> replacement --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 85e20f19..7d54dac3 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ menu: "footer" ## New Users -### Is darktable a free Lightroom alternative? +### Is darktable a free Lightroom replacement? No. Other than both being raw editors with DAM features, and looking somewhat similar, they have very little in common. Darktable is a powerful and flexible raw processing toolbox, that leaves the user in charge of their workflow and provides a level of power and control that few others can match. This also means that the initial learning curve can be steep, since very little workflow and tool knowledge can be transferred from other programs. ### Is my camera supported? From 57071c21f1eafd989dab7aebc5ac3fa9aba7da57 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:28:10 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 4/8] add link to user manual --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 7d54dac3..0a19d2c0 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Some file formats are not supported, as are some compression options for otherwi This is explained [in the manual](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#why-doesnt-the-raw-image-look-like-the-jpeg). ### No, I mean my images are **very** dark, not just dull -If you are using Dynamic Range, Highlight Preservation, or HDR modes, your camera is deliberately underexposing the image by using a lower ISO than you've set (and is recorded in the image's metadata), and is relying on post-processing lightening to give a "normal"-looking image with better highlight definition. darktable is unable to determine the corrections needed (which are proprietary and often in the form of a custom tone curve instead of simple EV correction), so you will need to manually apply the correction. For Fujifilm, DR200 mode needs an additional +1 EV exposure correction and DR400 mode needs +2 EV. For Nikon Z-series cameras, HLG tone mode needs an additional +2 EV and probably some tone curve adjustment. +If you are using Dynamic Range, Highlight Preservation, or HDR modes, your camera is deliberately underexposing the image by using a lower ISO than you've set (and is recorded in the image's metadata), and is relying on post-processing lightening to give a "normal"-looking image with better highlight definition. darktable is unable to determine the corrections needed (which are proprietary and often in the form of a custom tone curve instead of simple EV correction), so [you will need to manually apply the correction](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#why-doesnt-the-raw-image-look-like-the-jpeg). For Fujifilm, DR200 mode needs an additional +1 EV exposure correction and DR400 mode needs +2 EV. For Nikon Z-series cameras, HLG tone mode needs an additional +2 EV and probably some tone curve adjustment. ### Why is the interface so flat and grey? The default theme has been carefully designed to limit certain optical illusions that affect how brightness, contrast and saturation are perceived. Changing to a darker theme, in particular, can lead to images that are too dark or over-saturated. This is explained in detail in the manual [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/module-reference/utility-modules/darkroom/color-assessment/), [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/preferences-settings/general/) and [here](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/overview/workflow/process/#edit-in-a-controlled-environment). From 6da099c35badfe79ecd3dfd35d55ded99c824fde Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:53:52 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 5/8] clarify replacement vs. alternative --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 0a19d2c0..74383ca5 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ menu: "footer" ## New Users ### Is darktable a free Lightroom replacement? -No. Other than both being raw editors with DAM features, and looking somewhat similar, they have very little in common. Darktable is a powerful and flexible raw processing toolbox, that leaves the user in charge of their workflow and provides a level of power and control that few others can match. This also means that the initial learning curve can be steep, since very little workflow and tool knowledge can be transferred from other programs. +No, darktable is an _alternative_, not a drop-in replacement. Other than both being raw editors with DAM features, and looking somewhat similar, they have very little in common. Darktable is a powerful and flexible raw processing toolbox, that leaves the user in charge of their workflow and provides a level of power and control that few others can match. This also means that the initial learning curve can be steep, since very little workflow and tool knowledge can be transferred from other programs. ### Is my camera supported? Please see the [camera support page](/resources/camera-support/). From f0e2be6934fd93aabafdc5cd0aa0136a165d3738 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:59:38 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 6/8] add link to HOWTO blog post --- content/about/faq.md | 2 ++ 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 74383ca5..0e2afa02 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ menu: "footer" ### Is darktable a free Lightroom replacement? No, darktable is an _alternative_, not a drop-in replacement. Other than both being raw editors with DAM features, and looking somewhat similar, they have very little in common. Darktable is a powerful and flexible raw processing toolbox, that leaves the user in charge of their workflow and provides a level of power and control that few others can match. This also means that the initial learning curve can be steep, since very little workflow and tool knowledge can be transferred from other programs. +We have a [blog post](https://www.darktable.org/2024/12/howto-in-5.0/) to help you figure out how to do the equivalents of Lightroom actions in darktable. + ### Is my camera supported? Please see the [camera support page](/resources/camera-support/). From 6da2472b8ecc47e52d5be9ba1111e29778cf0dad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:03:48 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 7/8] update SIGILL answer --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index 0e2afa02..d1ad608d 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ There is only one way, and that is "darktable". All lower case, in one word, exc For fast discussions and short questions it's best to visit us in IRC (on _irc.oftc.net_, channel #darktable), especially in the Western European evening hours. If you don't want to use IRC, don't know what it is or want something less transient you can use our mailing lists. See our [contact page](/contact). For Issues/bugs, please use [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues) ### darktable crashes with SIGILL. What's up? -Due to the large number of mathematically intense operations which the Image Operators (IOPs) perform, the minimum requirement for a CPU to run darktable is one which supports SSE2. If your cpu does not support SSE2 more than fifteen years after the feature's introduction, then it really is time to upgrade. Please see [the Wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSE2) for more details on SSE2-capable CPUs. +Due to the large number of mathematically intense operations which the Image Operators (IOPs) perform, the minimum requirement for an x86 CPU to run darktable is one which supports SSE2. If your CPU does not support SSE2 more than twenty years after the feature's introduction, then it really is time to upgrade. Please see [the Wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSE2) for more details on SSE2-capable CPUs. ### I attached and turned on my camera, but it doesn't show up in darktable, what's wrong? If the camera in question is supported by `libgphoto2`, then the most likely cause is that some other process is blocking the device. From 25d0aad6871240adcd93168dc29f84b73b6147ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ralfbrown Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:07:29 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 8/8] mention lensfun-update-data --- content/about/faq.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/about/faq.md b/content/about/faq.md index d1ad608d..5747034d 100644 --- a/content/about/faq.md +++ b/content/about/faq.md @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ In rare cases that might break other software accessing the camera though! If yo Yes, there are two libraries we heavily rely on: * **exiv2** is used for reading metadata from image files. If something isn't shown correctly in the [image information](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/module-reference/utility-modules/shared/image-information/) panel on the left side then please check with the command line tool `exiv2` and report any problems upstream on [their bug tracker](https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/issues) – there isn't much we can do to fix those things ourselves. -* **lensfun** is used for lens correction. If the [lens correction](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/module-reference/processing-modules/lens-correction/) module isn't showing your camera or lens, or a wrong one, then please report that to [those folks](https://github.com/lensfun/lensfun). +* **lensfun** is used for lens correction. If the [lens correction](https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/stable/en/module-reference/processing-modules/lens-correction/) module isn't showing your camera or lens, try running `lensfun-update-data` to get the newest lens database. If lens correction still does not show your camera/lens, or shows a wrong one, then please report that to [those folks](https://github.com/lensfun/lensfun). ## Linux