Importing too dark - why?

Hi all,
I have been using Aperture 2 for a while now. I typically import photos directly from my Canon 5D. Lately, when I import photos, Aperture first imports them correctly (i.e. identical to the image on my camera) but at the end of the import process makes them quite a bit darker. It's almost as if it is applying a final filter or setting of some sort. I can't find anything in Aperture that could be doing this. I notice that Aperture does the same thing when I import the files using the EOS Utility and then import them in Aperture. Any insights anyone?
Cheers,
joel

Joel,
Welcome to the user-supported Aperture forum.
Aperture first imports them correctly (i.e. identical to the image on my camera) but at the end of the import process makes them quite a bit darker.
Your camera probably has an "embedded thumbnail" in the files it saves. In other words, your JPG or RAW files probably contain two pictures -- one very small for use with browsing in your camera, and one with all of the pixel data. (Most digital cameras do this, but I say "probably" because I don't have direct experience with Canon 5D. It's like 99.9% "probable".)
Aperture uses the embedded thumbnail as its own thumbnail upon import. Later, when it gets a chance to read the real contents of the picture, it replaces its thumbnail with one that it generates from the real pictures.
So, why the picture look different from your camera (the embedded thumbnail) versus from Aperture? Well, you're probably talking about RAW files, right? Your camera decodes its RAW data and makes the embedded thumbnail. Then after you import, Aperture *also, but independently* (obviously!) decodes the RAW file. If Aperture/MacOS does not decode the RAW data the exact same way as your camera, then they will look different. Obviously, Aperture was written by Apple, and your camera software was written by Canon, so they *do not decode* the RAW the exact same way. The Canon EOS Utility most likely contains the same RAW decoding software that is in your camera.
What to do about it? Maybe nothing. Maybe wait for a Camera RAW update...
But, there is one thing to check. Do you have any import presets? You did say you checked everything, but just in case, I thought I'd suggest that. It's possible Aperture is modifying the RAW decoding for each picture after it's imported.
nathan
Message was edited by: Mr Endo

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