the strength of the older C1 was in processing many files quickly. I used to come home from a weekend shoot with 8,000 + shots and C1 kept me from insanity.
THe new version, I believe, is a lame attempt at a me too feature race. It looks like a poor implementation of Aperrture or Lightroom and it has lost the ergonomics to be able to race through large volumes of files.
I have given up on C1 because of this release. I have started to learn better both aperture and lightroom (so far I like aperture better, esp this new release I've played with for a few hours only) because while they don't do what C1 used to do so well, nearly as effectively - what they do, they do much better that this clumsy 4.0 release.
THe C1 folks are also some of the worst bunch to deal with on issues. I think they believe the customer is always right ... only when the customer sees things exactly their way. They sure could use a bit of a lesson from Photomechanics customer attitude.
But, oh well. That is the way it goes. For me ... it's goodbye C1. A shame.
I completely disagree with you regarding their relationship with customers...maybe we have different experiences.
I discovered a serious bug on the first release of Capture One 4...the program didn't load files with GPS information on the EXIF. I contacted them about the issue, I got an answer the next day. They asked me a file, I sent them the file. A few days later one of the chief engineers sent me an email saying that the problem was solved and it would be fixed on the next release. And so it happened. Problem solved on 4.0.1.
What I think is that sometimes people refuse to change their workflow, even if it's essential for the evolution of the program. There are some issues, I give you that. But honestly I think it's better than the previous version. I'm comparing with version 3 LE, not Pro.
I own Aperture (got it as a prize on a magazine contest), I own Lightroom (got it free as former Raw Shooter user) and I still think Capture One gives you the best files.
I've been using C1 for a few years. I have both the 3.7.8 PRO release and the 4.0.1 releases on my computers. I would consider myself a software expert. The 4.0.1 release is a nice upgrade over the prior 3.7.8 release. I get better conversions and I like the interface and general workflow better also. I also own and throughly understand LR, ACR/CS3, and DxO Optics Pro 5. I'm processing 40D and G9 images. I use the application on a NEC LCD2690WUXi 26" wide screen monitor, which brings out the best in the interface layout.
C1 v4 has some really great design in the package. But, unfortunately for Phase One and many prior C1 users many critical approaches are not spelled out in the rather short manual that documents how to use the product. Phase One should probably create a short white paper on advanced workflow for their most experienced customers.
Here are a few of the things that I like and a few tips on how to avoid problems that others have encountered.
I use a tablet based workflow and a Micrsoft keyboard with the directional scroll wheel. With C1 v4 you can use your pen to hover over any slider or pane on the application and use the scroll wheel to make adjustments or scroll through images. Very fast.
Another thing that I like is the auto adjustment feature. Ctrl-Shift-F. This can give you a good/interesting starting point for making your adjustments.
I like the implementation of albums, move-to folders and output folders. I also like the new high dynamic range adjustments. I like the ability to conveniently select the specific settings that you are copying/pasting.
Things that are tripping people up. One of the biggest is that you need to use the shift key when working with groups of images. For example, if you have selected a group of images pressing shift and then clicking process will process the group. Shift works with most functions across the selected group of images.
Another thing is the ability to start and stop the process queue. There is a button on the bottom of the queue. Just press it to toggle between states.
I do think that there are some small things that Phase One can easily do for people that had a specific (especially keystoke based) workflow under 3.7.x versions. Many of the things that people comment on can be done right now if someone had a keystroke mapping utility on their computer. The really unfortunate thing is that many of the things that are causing problems are things that I have grown to really appreciate after adapting my workflow to the package.
Anyway, I like C1 v4. I rely on it when I want to work fast. My second choice is ACR/CS3 which I will also use when I am trying to do specific things with an image, but of course workflow is much slower here.
I upgraded a few weeks ago (C1 pro.) To me the results are mixed. I would be a lot happier if they had done a bit more documenting. The user interface and shortcuts are totally re-arranged and the new doco is ridiculously non-inclusive even for PhaseOne standards, which are pretty lame.
On the other hand, with some time spent messing around and some help from forums, I'm back up to speed and I have to say I really do like the new user interface better. Just seems more natural. IMO it's what I would have like to have seen in the 3.x releases. There aren't any major features missing that I can tell, it's stable, and I've not found any major bugs (suprising for such an early release of a major new version from these folks in my experience.)
On the other hand, since you are a C1 user, I assume you know what it's all about: speed in getting RAWs adjusted and output in 16 bpcpp TIFF's, and if you want a decent proof generator. There really isn't any major, or even semi-major new functionality in regard to that. No killer reason to upgrade, and don't do it until you have time to mess around a bit figuring out how to do the same old things in the new user interface without much help from the doco.
