Adobe RGB input space

[AlanGauld]

Camera
- Olympus OM-D EM-5(II)
- Color space = Adobe RGB.

Software
- Corel aftershot 3 Pro on
- Linux Mint 17.

When I load images from the camera it initially is correctly exposed but way over saturated.
When I set the input color space to Adobe RGB (to match the camera) the image becomes way too dark.
After lifting the exposure control (about 2-3 'stops') the exposure is fine and the colours are much better.
But...

Adjusting exposure & color space for every image is a pain. How do I set Adobe as the
default input colour space and ensure the brightness is correct when the image first loads?
I assume there are settings for this somewhere but I'm not seeing them...

Alan G

[hannes_hab]

there is no input color space (noting to set here) - you shoot raw - and the image is converted from the native camera color profile to the
working space color profile.
Where do you (try to) set input color space (you can only set the output color space)?
If the raw image from the camera is too saturated there is something wrong with your default camera settings (did you change anything there? Then try to: settings - reset all settings CTR+ALT+r) or with the camera-profile that is provided from ASP.

[AlanGauld]

there is no input color space (noting to set here) - you shoot raw - and the image is converted from the native camera color profile to the
working space color profile.
Where do you (try to) set input color space (you can only set the output color space)?
If the raw image from the camera is too saturated there is something wrong with your default camera settings (did you change anything there? Then try to: settings - reset all settings CTR+ALT+r) or with the camera-profile that is provided from ASP.

Yes, I realized earlier today that something was wrong because raw files don't have a colour space. However, ASP does have an input colour profile setting on the Color tab. Near the bottom, under color management, and one option is adobe.... That's what made me think I should be using it.

Now back to the problem of over saturated colours... (which BTW appear in both Darktable and PSE as well as ASP, so definitely a camera issue)

Thanks for the reply.

[hannes_hab]

..." ASP does have an input colour profile setting " ... - is it possible to provide a screenshot ?=
can you upload your raw file (dropbox or something else ...)

[AlanGauld]

I've attached a screenshot showing the Color Management tab.
Not sure whether the screenshot will make it to the forum, if not I'll post it on flickr with a link.
To select Adobe I clicked on the folder of the Custom input profile setting.

Alan g.

[hannes_hab]

Ok - normally there is no need to set the input (Camera-) profile. And its completely wrong to choose something like Adobe RGB for a raw file. This would be for a custom (scanned) image. But also here: if the profile is provided (embedded) which normally is, this would be done automatically.
For raw files this would be a extraordinary way, if you would create an on custom camera profile (which is not recommended).

See the user Guide:
aftershot-pro-3.pdf

page 63

Custom Input Profile — advanced users can choose to create an
input profile from the linear data associated with a camera profile

page 211

Input profiles
Input profiles are used as the starting point for color management.
Every image file in Corel AfterShot Pro has an input profile. For
supported RAW files, Corel performs detailed color calibration and
profiling techniques to produce unique Color Profiles for the various
supported cameras. For TIFF and JPEG files, Corel AfterShot Pro will use
the color profile embedded within the master file, if one exists. If no
profile is found, JPEG files that begin with an underscore character are
assumed to use the Adobe RGB color profile (as many cameras use this
filename format when writing out Adobe RGB JPEG'). Otherwise, the
input profile is determined by the settings you choose in Preferences
for TIFF and JPEG files.
Many digital cameras offer a choice of sRGB or Adobe RGB. This is
meaningful only within the JPEG file written by the camera — this
setting has no effect on image quality or color accuracy for RAW files
in Corel AfterShot Pro

And from "The AfterShot Survival Guide" (which is not available any more):

page 39

3.5.2. Custom Camera Profiles
While we provide the steps for profiling (with ArgyllCMS and a supported color chart)
a camera here, we do not recommend it!

[AlanGauld]

...
Many digital cameras offer a choice of sRGB or Adobe RGB. This is
meaningful only within the JPEG file written by the camera — this
setting has no effect on image quality or color accuracy for RAW files
in Corel AfterShot Pro

I should really have known this but had forgotten. I was focusing on the fact
that I'd just switched to AdobeRGB in the camera settings and therefore
assumed that was the cause of the color issues I was having, but forgot
that it didn't apply to raw files. When I saw "input profile" I grabbed at a
straw!

I've switched back to sRGB and the color issue is still there so I must
have flipped something else in the settings (and on an Olympus that's
very easy to do!). I think I'll do a factory reset and reapply my usual
settings.

The issue is definitely in the camera not the software.

Thanks for your help.