Hawthorn
About this recipe
Hawthorn is a free Nikon Flexible Color Picture Control by Mihai Serban, shared as an .NP3 file. It works with the Z9, Z8, Z6 III, Z5 II, Zf, Z50 II, and ZR. The Z8 needs firmware 3.00 or later, the Z9 5.30 or later, and the Zf 2.00 or later. Copy the file to the NIKON/CUSTOMPC folder on a memory card, then load it into a custom Picture Control slot (C-1 to C-9).
Hawthorn is a Nikon recipe made for the soft October light of northern Europe; it excels at capturing moody scenes through earthy tones that reflect the quiet atmosphere of autumn.
Picture Control values
Base: Flexible Color- Sharpening
- +1.50
- Mid-range sharpening
- +0.25
- Clarity
- +0.75
- Saturation
- -8
- Tone curve
- Custom
Color Blender
| Color | Hue | Chroma | Brightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | +4 | -8 | +8 |
| Orange | +6 | +15 | +2 |
| Yellow | -5 | +10 | -10 |
| Green | -34 | -48 | -12 |
| Cyan | +6 | -18 | -6 |
| Blue | -42 | -41 | +4 |
| Purple | -12 | -32 | 0 |
| Magenta | -6 | -22 | +8 |
Color Grading
| Zone | Hue | Chroma | Brightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights | 50° | +10 | -8 |
| Midtones | 42° | +14 | -32 |
| Shadows | 36° | +24 | -64 |
Read from the .NP3 file. Its custom tone curve replaces Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, White level and Black level.
In-camera settings
- White balance
- Daylight Flourescent (DY)
- WB shift
- B1.5 G0.25
- Active D-Lighting
- Low or Auto
- EV comp
- -1 to -1/3
Before using this recipe
This recipe or downloadable preset may not include all settings recommended by the original creator. For the intended look, also set the recommended White Balance, WB shift, exposure compensation (EV), and any other camera settings.
Recommended settings
Values recorded in this library are shown below. Confirm them against the creator’s current instructions.
- White Balance
- Daylight Flourescent (DY)
- WB shift
- B1.5 G0.25
- Exposure compensation (EV)
- -1 to -1/3
- Active D-Lighting
- Low or Auto
Please visit Mihai Serban — creator’s website for complete instructions and the latest updates. The exact original recipe page has not yet been verified. The recipe or file hosted here may be an older version.
How to apply
Nikon · File importFor: Nikon Z cameras (Z5, Z6, Z7, Z8, Z9, Z30, Z50, Z fc, Zf…) and recent DSLRs such as the D780
- 1
Download the file
Save the .NP3 file to your computer. Keep the original name — it becomes the Picture Control name on the camera.
- 2
Copy it to the memory card
Use a card formatted in the camera. Put the file in the NIKON/CUSTOMPC folder (create it if missing) or in the card root.
- 3
Load it into the camera
Choose the file, then pick a free custom slot (C-1 to C-9). You can rename it on the camera.
MENUPhoto shooting menuManage Picture ControlLoad/saveCopy to camera - 4
Select the look and shoot
Pick the custom slot you just filled. It is also available from the i menu.
MENUPhoto shooting menuSet Picture ControlC-1…C-9
- The look is baked into JPEG/HEIF files. RAW files keep it as metadata — NX Studio shows it, Lightroom does not.
- Copy file to memory card under NIKON/CUSTOMPC/ folder, then load via Menu › Manage Picture Control › Load/save › Copy to camera.
- Flexible Color presets require a Nikon Zf (firmware 2.00+), Z6 III, Z8 (firmware 3.00+), Z9 (firmware 5.30+), Z50 II, Z5 II, or ZR.
- The Zf, Z6 III, Z50 II, and Z5 II can also sync Picture Controls wirelessly via Nikon Imaging Cloud or Nikon NX Studio.
- Menu names vary slightly by model and firmware.
Hawthorn
Original creator
Mihai Serban
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Check Nikon Compatibility
Select your Nikon camera to check if this NP3 file loads directly:
Works with
This newer NP3 format requires Flexible Color support. Z6 and Z6 II cannot import Flexible Color presets. Z8 requires firmware 3.00 or later, Z9 5.30 or later, and Zf 2.00 or later.
Hawthorn
NP3 file · 1012 B · 2 files below