I’ve consistently been annoyed by the non-removable lens profiles in Lightroom when using Nikon Z cameras. But with some of the newer Z cameras and certain lenses, the issue (mostly) no longer applies. Here’s what I know at the moment.
The short version of the story is that with the Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z7 II specifically, the distortion profiles can now be turned on and off for at least the following lenses:
- Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
- Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S
- Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Whereas with at least the following lenses, it still applies, no matter what camera you’re using:
- Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
- Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3
- Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4
- Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4
I no longer have most of the other Nikon Z lenses and can’t confirm which category everything falls under (crowdsourced tests would be appreciated!) but the general idea is this. With the f/2.8 zooms as well as most or possibly all Nikon Z prime lenses, you can now turn off the distortion profiles in Lightroom – but only if you’re using the Z6 II or Z7 II. With other Nikon Z cameras, the distortion profiles are still automatically applied, no matter what lens you use.
So, that’s how the distortion profiles work now. But something of further interest – not totally new information but something that I don’t see mentioned that often – is that Lightroom is taking a strange approach to the vignetting correction with Nikon Z lenses.
Rather than the built-in lens profile automatically applying a certain amount of vignetting correction, Lightroom actually reads how much in-camera vignetting correction you selected. Puzzlingly, it takes your in-camera selection as the un-erring truth and applies it to your photos, without allowing you to change this value within the Lens Corrections tab.
Of course, the Effects tab further down in Lightroom has its own vignetting tool, but it tends to work better for adding vignetting rather than precisely removing it. So, my recommendation for Nikon Z shooters is to keep the vignetting correction in-camera turned to High, even if you’re shooting .NEF files. That signals Lightroom to apply full vignetting corrections as part of the built-in lens profile. If the effect ends up looking too strong (a definite possibility), you can add back your desired level of vignetting in the Effects panel.
The vignetting weirdness is true regardless of the Nikon Z camera you’re using, as best as I can tell. Some documentation from Adobe or Nikon on how this works would be nice.
Uncorrected vignetting on the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4, shot in raw with in-camera vignetting turned off
I understand why Lightroom would have some built-in corrections that are automatically applied to certain Nikon lenses, especially a lens like the 14-30mm f/4 that has almost fisheye levels of distortion. But the whole decision about non-removable profiles isn’t something I can get behind. Why not just apply these corrections automatically (including vignetting – not tied to the level selected in camera) and then allow us to turn them off if we want? At this point, I don’t know if it’s Adobe or Nikon who is at fault, but the situation has gotten very strange.
We’ll be updating our Nikon Z lens reviews over the coming days to reflect the different behavior with the Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II. Meanwhile, if you happen to have a Z6 II / Z7 II and any of the lenses I haven’t been able to test, I’d appreciate some info in the comments section so I can add to the lists at the start of the article!
I have been having lots of issues with distortion with 24-70 F4 on my Z7 and my LR classic 10.3 does not even show a profile for this lens … but there is a box I check to NOT remove Chromatic aberration and NOT enable profile corrections… but I want to ! WHY would Adobe after all this time ignore the mirrorless kit lens?
Hi Spencer, I also have trouble with the color profile AND lens corrections. I use my Z7 and I have to apply -20 for the color tint to get the color neutral. When I use my Z6II I have no corrections at all to get a neutral color. Lens corrections are really messed up that I won’t use my Z7 and Z6II camera as a dual camera setup, I have too many tweaks/corrections that needs to be done. I am glad I am not the only one here who has this issue!
Yes, that can happen with the Z6 and Z7. The F-mount integration is much smoother by comparison.
I have 6 of the Z lenses you have mentioned, and I shoot professionally with a Z7 & Z7ii. The corrections work so beautifully that I don’t understand why it’s a problem. Everything is doing what it’s supposed to. I have no visible distortion even with the 14-30 f:4 at 14mm on architecture (when leveled), and I have no discernible vignetting to speak of. I’m curious why one would want to disable some of the engineered corrections.
Hi Spencer,
Could it be an Adobe Camera Raw issue? Just installed version 13.3
Found some NEF samples made with a Z7 with DPReview. Opened these files in Photoshop.
Indeed when settings in the RAW opening screen are set to Default or Auto the lens profile settings cannot be altered (Make Model and Profile all set to Built In).
But when I choose Setup Custom – Nikon I cannot find a profile for the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 nor for any other Z lens.
When I open the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 files in DxO Photolab 4 all the options like Distortion are available. One example shows terrible Purple Fringe in the corners which is not corrected. Could be a bad example of the lens. Another example is OK.
If you want me to convert one of your files in DxO Photolab 4 and return thema as TIFF back to you can sent them to me using didero.wetransfer.com.
I use the Tamron 15-30 with my Nikon z6, and even though during Lightroom import into the Library I selected my Tamron 15-30 lens, all my photos are set with that “built in Lens” setting, so it is doing the same thing with lenses other than Nikon lenses on the Z6
As an information : conversion to DNG + exiftool manipulation works. But of course it’s far from being ideal in a “newer version than LR6” workflow.
I need to search the internet because it’s been quite some time but there is a thread on an adobe forum somewhere that I participated in that some Adobe engineer adds information about why they chose to lock overrided out as opposed to other editing software like ON1 etc. In that thread they announce that they only intend to support the functionality in newer cameras going forward so they did not intend to go back and adjust the z6 and z7 which is quite infuriating to me.
Spencer,
I have a Z6 and a Z7 II. It seems like the Z7 II and Z6 with the latest firmware update allows one to turn off vignette control and auto distortion control for a number of lenses, specifically (other than the ones you mentioned – parentheses are the camera I tested these with, but I imagine it will apply to both)
24 mm F/1.8 (Z6)
35 mm F/1.8 (Z6)
50 mm F/1.2 (Z7 II)
With the 14-30 mm F/4 on the Z6 one still cannot turn off auto distortion control.
Off-topic, but I got the last beast of a lens recently for star photography and had the opportunity to test it a few days back – it seems pretty good. Some aberration at the corners, but I guess that is not unusual. This image was put together from 8 camera positions for sky and land (I should have had a few more on the right to get more of the sea, but I’ll do so next time:)
www.smugmug.com/galle…-3vgXSVK/A
Still deciding whether to keep the lens or not:) Happy to hear your thoughts!
Really excellent photo, thanks for sharing it! The 50mm f/1.2 is an excellent lens. Was that shot at f/1.2?
I’ve found that although the vignetting profile can seemingly be turned on and off in Lightroom, clicking it doesn’t actually do anything on some lenses. I’m not sure about the ones you specifically list though. Either way, the corrections in Lightroom are far from perfect.
Yes, shot at f/1.2 – I wanted to see how it does wide open.
Spencer, do you really need to use LR? Have you already tried native Nikon’s sw – NX studio or actual TIPA winner – Zoner?
This comment is right up my alley. I use Capture NX-D for my raw processing, and Zoner Photo Studio (since 2014) for my jpeg processing. Works like a dream, and I’ve never ever used a catalog or had to convert to DNG, though they have those features. I make my own sorting folders and I’m good to go. From all the complaints of LR over the years, I keep wondering why everybody stays with it.
I haven’t tried Zoner but need to. I’ve tried many other alternatives in search of something that would let me switch, but I kept returning to Lightroom. It has plenty of flaws, but nothing I’ve found has been as comprehensive of an organizing and editing replacement.
I’m probably stuck in the Adobe system at this point, though. I don’t want to lose access to editing all my old photos, and there are too many to want to re-edit them from scratch in different software. Doesn’t really bother me. I don’t hate Lightroom.
I’m still using Lightroom 5 because I refuse to do the adobe subscription program (I am so tired of being bullied by corporations) and don’t want to learn new software. I know resistance is futile but…
Since LR 5 characterizes any lens I use on my X-H1 as a Fuji x100 fixed 23mm I can’t use it. Somehow I survive. I shot film for many years, developed it and made prints in my own darkroom. I’m no Ansel Adams. I don’t mind photos that are not perfect. Indeed I find most of the perfectly composed, perfectly processed images I see on the web, boring and lacking a feeling of authenticity and character; it’s like they all came off an assembly line. I hear this talk about processing images to fit one’s individual artistic vision but it seem like everyone must have the same vision.
Oh yeah, LR5 doesn’t recognize my X-H1 raw files (RAF) either. A conversion to DNG fixes that.
What you’re describing is definitely frustrating! I’ve been wondering about the “uniqueness” thing with my photos for a while, too – whether mine are unique, whether it matters, all that stuff. Haven’t found satisfying answers yet. Anyway, your DNG trick is a good one and also works to fix the Z lens profile issue.