Tone Curves for the Canon 1D(s) Cameras

The histogram and LCD preview of images taken with the 1 series cameras does not accurately reflect the tonal range available to you when shooting RAW images.

In addition, the default tone curve is applied to JPG images, darkening the shadows, and brightening the highlights.  This might be fine for controlled lighting, but is a disaster when shooting high-dynamic-range scenes.

The curves available *here* allow you to take control of your JPG exposures, and give you a more accurate histogram.
(Please note: after application of these curves, there is NO headroom-the blinking highlights are well and truly *blown*.)

These curves must be uploaded to your 1 series via the firewire port.  This is a simple procedure, which the following steps illustrate..
Download the curves from the above hyperlink.
Start FVU.
Attach your camera to the PC using the Firewire cable, and turn the camera ON.
In the File Menu, chose the Camera Settings option.

Click the Detailed Settings Tab.
Click the Parameters Button.

Select a Set tab (Set1-Set3).
Select a Tone Curve (TCD1-TCD3)
Click the User-defined Tone Curve button.
Click the Open button, and navigate to the folder which holds the unzipped files you downloaded.  Select one of those tone curves.
Click the Apply to Camera button.

Rinse and Repeat (apply any other curves to the other 2 TCD parameters).

Shut off the camera and detach the Firewire cable.
Turn the camera back on, and press the Menu button.
Navigate to the camera settings tab (the first tab).
Select the Parameters option.
Select a set (Set 1-Set 3).  This activates the tone curve.
Take pictures.

These screen shots illustrate the four curves contained in the zip file.

dflt.TCD The default curve supplied by Canon darkens the shadows at lower left, and brightens the highlights at upper right... The default tone curve is applied to the thumbnail image (and full-size JPG image, if you record one) that is shown on the LCD. Unfortunately, the tone curve also affects the histogram for RAW files, and the blinking 'blown highlight' indicator.  This can lead to underexposed images (especially landscapes with bright sky).

nslh.TCD This curve leaves the shadows mostly unchanged, and 'linearizes' the highlights...

sbslh.TCD This curve brightens the shadows more...

vbssbh.TCD And this curve is my best attempt at a completely linear curve...