just went to try some skinning out today. and now im in complete agreement. i dont like the new lighting. the colour balance is good but the gamma or general light everywhere is wickedly bright at times. it seems to have even less contrast bright to dark than it did before. it felt more vibrant previously. before the change the rivetts and panel details were semi hidden now there out there far to visible without any way to really tone them down. i enjoyed bringing that detail out myself through the skin.

maybe you are right, as you have certainly more knowledge about lighening than me, but my impression is the complete opposite. for me it seems that everything is too dark now.