I want to start shooting RAW. What is a good program to process with?
I have one that is in my Canon software, but I don't like it.
Thanks for any suggestions.
what do you not like about the Canon software (DPP)? It can actually give you some of the best results. It just doesn't have some of the bells and whistles that other RAW converters have.
It doesn't have very many options for correction, it seems to me.
Maybe I need to learn more about it.
I just thought other systems had more adjustments and options for processing.
My friend who shoots Canon really likes Phase One Capture 1, the LE version is under $100 and doesn't hobble the conversions. I tend to use Photoshop's ACR with my Nikon. There are a lot of choices.
I guess it just depends on what options you are looking for. It does white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. You can work with the curves as well. The NR sucks, but I think the NR on all the RAW converters suck except for Bibble Pro's because they use Noise Ninja.
I suggest learning about RAW usage on DPP, since you are just getting into it. After you have a better idea of what options you would like, use the trial versions of other converters to see if they are a good fit. Most of the heavy work needs to be done in PS anyway.
There are a number, and only you can really choose which one fits the term "best"
The apps I'd look at are: ACR, Bibble, C1, SilkyPix, DxO, LightZone, Lightroom. Those are the biggies, I know I've forgotten a few more obscure ones. My own preference is Bibble Pro & I'm intrigued with LZ's features.
I'm very interested in software and RAW conversion (check my profile). One of these three programs would be a good place to start depending on what you want from your conversion:
1. Phase One Capture One V4 - Great RAW conversions, easy and quick to use.
2. Adobe Lightroom - All around package that does RAW conversions, manages your library of files, printing and other functions.
3. Adobe Camera RAW/Photoshop - Same RAW processing as in Lightroom, but all of Photoshops ability to modify images.
I also own DxO Optics Pro, but this is probably not the easiest place to start to learn about RAW processing.
C1 has a 30 day demo and a relatively short user manual ... I don't think you can go wrong starting there.
I have heard good things about Lightroom. So I attended a full day seminar on Lightroom. Impressive stuff. Still have a few reservations. At the moment its between 1) Lightroom and 2) C1.
Like to hear from other users and pros and cons of C1 vs Lightroom. Especially file management strength of Lightroom vs C1
I have both. In truth, there is no file management in C1--it is a RAW processor--and a good one. It accesses your files from your drive with your organization.
Lightroom is meant to be a seamless end to end program including DAM, RAW processing, printing plus slideshow and web creation. I now have 7+ years archived and uploaded to Lightroom with everything keyworded, but everything is referenced from 7 external harddrives that only need to be connected if I'm going to work with a file from that year (to reprocess, print, etc.) I then backup all HDs to a 1T drive kept offsite (and copy the current files to a dedicated internal HD for this and last year's files). I previously used Imatch, but prefer Lightroom. For me, LR isn't the be and endall. I also use PSCS3 so I do roundtrips (easy) from LR to PS when further processing is needed. You will need to do the same with C1 for every file. That's not true of LR. If you are satisfied with the processing in LR (and that can be true of many images), then you will not need to add a further file taking more room on your drive with a saved tiff or psd--its all done with metadata--a big plus I feel.
Since you have taken a seminar on LR, I would think the next step for you is to download demos of both and try them. You should have a better understanding for LR than most using it for the first time and can assess for yourself the pros and cons. They are really different animals. C1 would be likened to Bibble, Silkypix, etc.---the only true 'peer' of Lightroom (I've never tried it, just read about it) would be Aperture I'm guessing.
With its open architecture, a developers module (plans?), Adobe are hoping for host of plug ins as well. Something that benefited Photoshop. This may sway others who are not decided about Lightroom.
Apple is not my platform. So I dont need to worry about Aperture. But from what I have read, it appears from the user point of view and speed, Lightroom is a better solution.
My one concern is that Lightroom is now 2 years old. How long will be good for. For me, learning time is at a premium. And I dont want to be forced into upgrades or to change to another software.
And the other concern is that between the Lightroom modules, some shortcut commands and keystrokes that work in one module will not always work in another module. So a comment on this would be appreciated.
The finished product of LR has only been out for 1 year. The BETA was out earlier and there have been a few changes to the engine and options since that time. In any case it's a very good program to use.
Jerry,
How can you say you don't like it (DPP) when you're just getting into RAW processing? Are you expecting it to do certain things that an image editor will do? It's not an image "editor". It is a RAW processing program. That is the difference. Quite honestly I believe all of the RAW processing apps do the same things it's just a matter of the user liking or disliking the user interface. I would love to have continued using DPP (and saved some money) I just didn't like where the controls were located (IE user interface).
As for as options DPP has 99.9% of the options of all of the other RAW processing apps, and does probably 99% of the things you would need it to do to images if you shoot the image right in camera to begin with.
The finished product of LR has only been out for 1 year. The BETA was out earlier and there have been a few changes to the engine and options since that time.
Peace,
Cordell
Thanks Cordell
I stand corrected. I seem to remember seeing something which said Jan 2006 for Lightroom - must have been beta
Freespirit,
Beta was in 2006 but it was just released in Feb of 07. There have been 3 updates I believe. Once you learn it, it will just be some additional tweaks I'm guessing--I don't think there will be the continual learning curve of PS.
Its an extremely useful program right now--I just spent the morning putting together a portfolio that spans a number of years--easy to do using keywords and the quick collection ability--then I turned the quick collection into a named collection. I do use some keystrokes but find that it isn't an issue--may be for some, but so far I haven't found it to be. Its not the panacea for everyone--so I don't want to try and convince anyone. I have a number of RCs on my harddrive and I've been known to try several--but I would say that 75% of my processing is now done in LR--the rest in PSCS3--because of my workflow. I'm not a big volume shooter, but I do have a large archive, so its great for me. I also process a lot in mono and really like Martin Evening's technique for b/w conversion--I may tweak them some in PS, but 98% of the work for those is in LR.
Jerry (and Freespirit for LR) I still recommend you download demos. Do try DPP--its an excellent RAW processor--workflow not as good, but for some things, esp. in color, if you are a Canon shooter, you may find it the best overall, esp. if you shoot people. Try C1--maybe Bibble. I can't remember if you also have PSCS3--most people do feel the need of having a graphics app too. There is a strong support system growing for LR online--I do like books and have Martin Evening's--and Mikkel Aaland's Lightroom Adventure because its based on the real life beta excursion of a group of photographers to Iceland and how their use, day to day, was incorporated into LR.
Cordell,
I don't think my DPP is working correctly. I installed the software from another Canon camera that I had and sold. It doesn't have any sharpening info anywhere that I can tell.
I sold the camera and the software version that came with it, and the disc that I got wiith the used camera I bought is corrupted I think. Therefore, I seem to be screwed as far as using DPP. It only lets me change the contrast, brightness, hue, and saturation.
Thanks,
Jerry
I've been using DPP for about 3 years now, since I first went digital, and it is a very nice program, can give wonderful results. I also like the way you can work on many images quickly, it is like having a Camera RAW toolbar attached to Bridge.
Right now I'm in the process of switching to Lightroom. So far I'm loving it, it just has more useful tools than DPP, mainly: much better cropping control, more fine-tuned control of RAW, the fill and recovery sliders. Those alone are worth the switch for me.
