Z8 Color Shift not fixed

Photo AI


Original

Blues turn Magenta. Cyan Fringe.

Nikon Z8 Current Firmware / Nikon Z 70-200mm S lens

Steps to reproduce issue:

  1. Lightroom Raw NEF file=> File =>Plug in Extras => Process with Topaz Photo AI
    Blues turn Magenta
  2. Export to Adobe LrC

Problem does not exist when taken into Photo AI from Photoshop.

Topaz Photo AI [v3.0.3] on [Windows 11]

Would you mind sending in some more information to get a better understanding of the problem you are having with this particular type of image? Please send the following information:

  1. The original image file.
  2. The processed image.
  3. A screenshot or description of the settings panel so I can see what adjustments were turned on.

You can securely submit your image(s) to my Dropbox using the link below.

Dropbox File Request

Please be sure to send me a note to let me know you sent something.

John,

Thanks for the reply. I sent the original NEF image as well as the Processed DNG file. I don’t know exactly what settings I used but the enhancements were DeNoise, Face Recovery and Sharpening. The first 2 were what the AI model chose and I added the sharpening. The color shift happened before I applied the sharpening. The ISO was 20,000 if that helps.

Other than the color shift, the images looked great.

Thanks,

David

I was able to replicate this color shift you are reporting on my machine and have reached out to some of the developers and will be sure to let you know once I have more information regarding this issue.

A current workaround you could try using is processing this image with the External Editor plugin which is accessed through the following path Photo > Edit In > Topaz Photo AI

Thanks. I did try it as a plugin in PS and noted that it does not exhibit the bug in my initial report.

Hello,
I’m using Lightroom classic with Topaz AI as extras. I processed the picture from Lightroom to work in Topaz, when I export in Lightroom the new picture appears correct but when I paste the masks done in the original picture, I get a picture with colors changed !
Best regards
Guy

Would you mind sharing some screenshot examples of the problem you are having? Also please confirm which Lightroom Classic plugin you are using:

  • The RAW plugin, accessed through File > Plug-in Extras > Process with Topaz Photo AI
  • The External Editor plugin, accessed through Photo > Edit in > Topaz Photo AI

Hello,
Currently I’m not available, so I will answer to you in few days.
Regards
Guy

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Hello,
I extract the dng file with Topaz from the original folder. I let work the automatic process of Topaz. Next I export in Lightroom classic (version 13.4, camera raw 16.4). When I put on this new file (Z08_5066-Topaz-Denoise-Sharpen.dng) the masks worked in Lightroom, the colors are changed.
It’s exactly the same result using: File > Plug-in Extras > Process with Topaz Photo AI.
You will find below different attached files to understand the trouble:

  • screenshot of the original dng file in LR
    -screenshot of the Topaz window after automatic noise-sharpen process (colors are already changed)
  • screenshot of the exported Topaz file in LR (colors are correct !)
  • screenshot of the exported Topaz file with LR masks
  • screenshot of the dng file with LR masks without Topaz process.jpg
    You can observe that the result is fully different when we compared the LR file with masks and the Topaz file with masks !
    It was not the case with the previous version.
    Best regards
    Guy

Thanks for sending in all that information and screenshots.

This color shift you are reporting could be associated with the file type you are using and how our application reads that file type.

Could you tell me what type of camera you are using and if this color shift appears with all images or just this particular file type?

If you would like you can send in some example files to my Dropbox using the link below.

Dropbox File Request

Please be sure to send me a note to let me know you sent something.

Hello,
I’m using a Nikon Z8, whateverthe dng picture I got the trouble of colors.
I will send you some pictures by Dropbox.
Thanks
Guy

@john.topazlabs I’m having the same color shift issue applying RAW denoise to Z8 NEF files, including in Photo AI version 3.1.0.

The workaround you suggested (Photo > Edit In > Topaz Photo AI) avoids the color shift bug, but my vague understanding of the description of RAW denoise is that it has advantages over the generic denoise enhancement.

Can you share more information about the benefits of RAW denoise over the generic denoise and differences in how the two enhancements work? That would help me determine if I want to wait to process some photos until the color shift bug is fixed. Also, do you have an estimate of when the bug will be fixed?

The RAW Denoise enhancement specifically processes RAW images using a proprietary demosaicing algorithm. This algorithm converts sensor data to pixel information, retaining more image data and details than pixels. Instead of estimating missing color information for each pixel based on neighbouring pixels, the AI model uses context from the entire image and compensates for noise that hinders traditional demosaicing methods. RAW Denoise typically provides superior noise reduction and detail preservation for RAW files.

The generic Denoise filter eliminates distracting noise cause by low-light conditions or file compression while recovering crisp details. It can be applied to various image formats such as JPEG, TIFF, and PNG. While effective it does not leverage specific advantages of RAW data, such as the roader color depth and dynamic range available in RAW files.

Regarding the color shift bug you are experiencing while using the Z8 files our team is actively working on resolving this issue, but I do not have an exact timeline for when the fix will be available. I can assure you that this is high priority for our developers to resolve.

3 Likes

Thank you for the helpful information and for ensuring that resolving the issue is a high priority!

1 Like

Hello,
I sent you some files as you requested via dropbox on the 13 th of July. Since I have no answer regarding the trouble of colors.
Best regards.
Guy

Our developers and team are working on resolving this color shift problem with the Nikon Z8 camera model. As stated above, I do not personally have an exact timeframe as to when the fix will be available; however, I can assure you that this is a high priority for our developers to resolve with future updates.

1 Like

Thank you for this answer. I cannot use Topaz AI for the time beeing, so I hope that the solution will be found quickly.
Best regards.
Guy

Get this out of the way…I realize I can process TIFF files instead of Raw. That’s a poor work around professionally. All I want to do is denoise and sharpen.

Issues when moving RAW files from Lightroom to Photo AI:
Color shifts - It seems to affect blues the most.

Histogram shifts - Histograms shift to the left roughly 1 stop to the left, under exposed. They also shorten and widen. The Basic panel adjustments (the numbers and slider positions) are the same on the DNG file when it returns as on the Raw file that was shipped over, but the image needs to have Basic panel re-adjustments when it returns from Photo AI after just sharpening and denoise.

Crop adjustment not kept - Files transfer in from Lightroom with the crop adjustment intact, but after denoise and sharpening the crop is dropped when the DNG transfers back to Lightroom. I have to re-crop the file or copy and paste development settings from the Raw file to the Topaz generated DNG file.

Multiple files open - Occasionally, if I had to put a number on it I’d say once every 25-30 times, when I transfer a file to Photo AI it opens fine. Then after a moment or two other files open as well. When I close Photo AI it will re-open by itself and open those same photos. If I close Photo AI again it stays closed and when I transfer the file again only it opens.

Hangs - When transferring a DNG file back to Lightroom after denoise and sharpening, occasionally Photo AI will hang while processing. I’ve left it for 20 minutes to see what happens and it still is hung and I have to force quit the application on the MacBook.

Crashes - this is similar to hangs, When transferring a DNG file back to Lightroom after denoise and sharpening, occasionally Photo AI will crash.

Steps to reproduce issue:

  1. Make Basic panel and crop adjustments to a Raw file in Lightroom.
  2. Transfer the file to Photo AI by selecting File → Plug-in Extras → Process with Topaz Photo AI.
  3. Use Denoise and Sharpen subject on the file in Photo AI.
  4. Return the post processed DNG file to Lightroom in a stack.

Topaz Photo AI [v3.1.0] on [Macbook Pro, M2 Max, 64 Gb RAM, MacOS Sonoma 14.5], Nikon Z8 (Firmware 2.01) & Z7II (Firmware 1.62)

Would you mind sending in some more information to get a better understanding of the problem you are having with this particular type of image? Please send the following information:

  1. The original image file.
  2. The processed image.
  3. A screenshot or description of the settings panel so I can see what adjustments were turned on.

You can securely submit your image(s) to my Dropbox using the link below.

Dropbox File Request

Please be sure to send me a note to let me know you sent something.

Sorry, John. The Photo AI processed file is 161 MB and exceeds the file size limit set by Topaz from the thread. I’ll upload the files to your DropBox.

1 Like