Lightroom problem?

[n8]

I noticed today when trying to import some pics into lightroom (3.41) that the thumbnails are significantly degraded. Once they import they're fine, but I'm pretty sure this wasn't an issue last time I used it...but I may be imagining things. I've used different cards, and have reinstalled the program, but I'm still getting some nasty previews when in grid mode. The single preview renders just fine.

[ksbryan0]

When they offered the upgrade from 3.0 to either 3.1 or 3.3 three, that was one of the known consequences of making the move. I held off until the 3.41 upgrade, and the lower quality previews have been very noticeable. However some of the more functional problems I was having with 3.0 are now fixed, so I guess it was a worthwhile tradeoff!

[n8]

Well, I'm glad to hear it's not an isolated issue. I hope they take care of it in 3.5 or whatever's next.

[WesternGuy]

I noticed today when trying to import some pics into lightroom (3.41) that the thumbnails are significantly degraded. Once they import they're fine, but I'm pretty sure this wasn't an issue last time I used it...but I may be imagining things. I've used different cards, and have reinstalled the program, but I'm still getting some nasty previews when in grid mode. The single preview renders just fine.

N8, are you shooting raw - I will assume you are - because it has a little bearing on how Lightroom builds previews depending on how you set up your preview and import options initially. The way mine works (I shoot raw), Lightroom starts by assuming everything is in the sRGB space. It imports, as a first pass at the thumbnails, and displays the jpg conversion of my raw images - this usually appears pixelated and of low quality. Once LR has completed the initial import, it makes a second pass, during which it processes the raw data and provides a greater level of detail, particularly when displaying large thumbnails. If requested, from the options you have chosen, it will make a third pass to render even higher quality 1:1 resolution previews. There are a few other variables involved in this "rendering" of previews, but it is a 2 or 3 stage process, depending on some of the options you have selected during Import. This also explains why the single preview renders okay.

I am not sure exactly how you import your images and how you have told LR to set up the thumbnails, but I am just relaying how mine work and yes the first cut at the thumbs are often ugly, but it doesn't take LR long to "reprocess" the thumbs and give me decent images.

Ken, I was interested that you have noticed changes from version 3.0 to 3.3 or 3.4, because I have not noticed any difference in the way LR processes my thumbs during the recent upgrades, even 3.4.1 did not obviously change the way it appears to process thumbs for my display - my experience FWIW. HTH.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[n8]

I do shoot raw, but I had the same issues with jpegs and raws. These were all pre-import.

[readingr]

Hmmm just been in to check mine and no differences in mine at all. All the thumbnails from V2 to 3.4.1 are the same, as WesternGuy says it is a several stage pass to get them all sorted and it can take a while while it does it depending on the number being loaded.

Roger R.

[SmartWombat]

I use really tiny thumbnails so for me the quality doesn't matter.
But the preview quality is important.
So if LR is slow generating those in the background, I'll use the menu to build them explicitly.