distortion - can it be nullified after post processing???

[naresh]

After reviewing so many websites i found that there will be always distortion in most of the lenses(especially in case cheaper lenses Ex: 18-105mm).


 q1 : can i get rid of these distortions in Photoshop ??

          i. barrel distortion ?
         ii. pincushion distortion ??

 q2 : Vignetting - how to overcome this problem in Photoshop


If i check sample images in dpreview, pixel-peeper, fliker for particular lens ... they are flawless. 
 
can any masters please through some light on this issue

[Arun B]

Naresh, it would be great, if you find general answers from the internet - so many (video) tutorials are there - and post specific questions along with images here for further guidance.

[Madhav Bhakta]

In Photoshop there is an option called 'Lens Correction'. Hope it will answer all your queries for sure.

[lightwave]

Madhav has kept two drops of water for a thirsty man. Heh heh couldn't help using your own words Madhav

[Madhav Bhakta]

Madhav has kept two drops of water for a thirsty man. Heh heh couldn't help using your own words Madhav

 

I had only two drops Doc. So shared it.

Naresh asked for masters opinion and i am a student here.

[Hellwrath]

Madhav has kept two drops of water for a thirsty man. Heh heh couldn't help using your own words Madhav

 

I had only two drops Doc. So shared it.

Ha ha, without a context, this could mean so many things . A recent bollywood movie comes to my mind .

[naresh]

Thanks madhav for ur suggestion,

I have done these steps

  1. opened one JPEG file in pp
  2. tried to apply lens correction on that image.
  3. It updated lens database cache
  4. My camera(Nikon D5100) is not available in camera list - default setting used
  5. My lens(18-105 mm Nikon lens) is also not available ... so unable to correct that particular lens distortion.


Please help me to update my camera and lens profile......in camera options 

[amitk26]

Thanks madhav for ur suggestion,

I have done these steps

  1. opened one JPEG file in pp
  2. tried to apply lens correction on that image.
  3. It updated lens database cache
  4. My camera(Nikon D5100) is not available in camera list - default setting used
  5. My lens(18-105 mm Nikon lens) is also not available ... so unable to correct that particular lens distortion.


Please help me to update my camera and lens profile......in camera options

Try UFRaw lensfun lib

[VikramF]

Thanks madhav for ur suggestion,

I have done these steps

  1. opened one JPEG file in pp
  2. tried to apply lens correction on that image.
  3. It updated lens database cache
  4. My camera(Nikon D5100) is not available in camera list - default setting used
  5. My lens(18-105 mm Nikon lens) is also not available ... so unable to correct that particular lens distortion.

Please help me to update my camera and lens profile......in camera options

Heh ... wrote a long reply, then realised I'd missed asking a fundamental question .... was your computer connected to the internet when you updated the lens database cache?

Which version of Photoshop are you using? You should definitely have the D5100 and the 18-105 listed there.

You also have the option of adjust things manually.

[naresh]

@vikram 

Yes, Its connected to internet.
I am using cs5. But my camera is not available in the list .

i am just working with manual correction but it is very sensitive.

[VikramF]

i am just working with manual correction but it is very sensitive.

Yes, that's the idea. It allows for small corrections. Imagine what a 1mm change in distortion on a 15" screen will look like if an image is blown up to 5 ft?

Not sure why you can't see them as I can, even Adobe Camera Raw (version 6.4.0.121) has the lens profile for the 18-105 kit lens as well as for the D5100 (the new version is 6.7, so this is an older ACR version - you'll need to update ACR).

Have you downloaded the Adobe Lens Profile Downloader? This tool will also allow you to find the profile and save it to disk.

[theqca]

pardon me for being a bit dumb but im surprised that a lens like an 18-105 has barrel distortion, pincushion distortion and Vignetting that is significant enough that it needs correction? id like to see some examples if you dont mind...

[Madhav Bhakta]

pardon me for being a bit dumb but im surprised that a lens like an 18-105 has barrel distortion, pincushion distortion and Vignetting that is significant enough that it needs correction? id like to see some examples if you dont mind...

Ayaz most of the wedding photographers here in Kerala click with Nikon D90 and 18-105 lens for wedding photography. I have seen distortion in many group photos, that the persons standing at extreme left/right of the frame looks very broad as if the frame is stretched. This distortion needs to be corrected in post processing but many photographers/designers ignore this due to shortage of time. I don't have sample pics handy but can arrange the same if you really want to take a look.

[theqca]

hmmm..ok...im personally quite okay with distortion and vigenetting..infact i quite like it but i guess it depends on the type of phtoographs you are taking.

I havnet come across photographers having an issue with distortion with a "kit lens" type of a lens..its usually UWA's that ppl complain about....so was keen on knowing what are the pics that the OP is facing a challenge with and that too barrel distortion, pincushion distortion and Vignetting in almost all pics...

[Madhav Bhakta]

I havnet come across photographers having an issue with distortion with a "kit lens" type of a lens..its usually UWA's that ppl complain about....so was keen on knowing what are the pics that the OP is facing a challenge with and that too barrel distortion, pincushion distortion and Vignetting in almost all pics...

Even i am also thinking about the same to ask OP about the Pic.

@Naresh : Can you share the pic here?

[naresh]

Yes madhav ji .... currently away from my gear ... upload the pics as soon as possible

[neocore]

pardon me for being a bit dumb but im surprised that a lens like an 18-105 has barrel distortion, pincushion distortion and Vignetting that is significant enough that it needs correction? id like to see some examples if you dont mind...

Ayaz at 18mm, the lens shows a significant barrel distortion more than 3.5% which can be seen in field(if you shoot group shots and architecture). But if your subject is in center frame or you shoot landscapes its barely noticeable.