Create Lightroom Preset (.xmp) to better match Nikon D200 RAW NEF to colour of embedded thumbnail.
1. Extract the embedded thumbnail from the NEF file.
2. In Lightroom make the NEF image as close as possible to the thumbnail (eg. profile "Adaptive Color", Shadows +37).
3. Do not use curve adjustments as they will be provided by this program.
4. Export the image as NEF.jpg (which will be used as your 'NEF Render').
5. Upload both files and use either the grid curve and/or manual points curve.
6. View results and 'Export Lightroom Preset (.xmp)' when happy.
7. Adjust the RGB curves in Lr to remove large humps created by 'Cubic Spline interpolation'. Save your own preset and enjoy.
use NEF.jpg
use THUMB.jpg
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1. NEF Render (Source) — each cell = average RGB of all pixels in cell. Click image to toggle labels.
2. Embedded Thumb (Target) — each cell = average RGB of all pixels in cell. Click image to toggle labels.
3. Calculated Curve Adjusted Result. Click image to toggle labels.
4. Measured Tone Curves
5. Compare Images - Raw, Thumb, Calculated
click a button, or press R / T / Y
6. Manual Curve Points — click the RAW image to add a point, click an existing box to remove it
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Every pixel in the box is a candidate for the average — variance above decides which are included, seeded from the box's center pixel. Existing points keep whatever variance was used when added; changing it only affects new points.