RAW processors

[emalvick]

I've recently decided to purchase a RAW processor and have begun the process of trying programs out for use with my K10d files.

I will download some trials, but I have a slow internet connection and am trying to narrow my choices down, so I am not downloading a ton of programs over my slow connection.

Has anyone here used Capture One v4.? I see it gets decent reviews, but I also see hesitation by people as well. It is one program I haven't seen discussed on this forum much, so I am not sure how well it works for Pentax files.


As a background, I have already downloaded Silkypix for a trial. I have used Raw Therapee, but I've felt its performance has been lacking a bit for me, and it doesn't have batch processing. I'm avoiding Lightroom because it is a bit costly and it is really more than I need.

That being said, another feature I need is the ability to read DNG files (and not the Pentax ones). My wife and I received all of our wedding photos in DNG format from our secondary photographer, which were converted from CR2 files (I think). I wanted the CR2 files, but he wouldn't let us have them. Anyway, I am hopeful that whatever program I get can deal with those as well, which is why I haven't considered Bibble yet.

Anyway, the main point again is whether anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) with Capture One 4. I'm also open to other suggestions. I'll download some trials once I get a feeling that 2 or 3 programs could be my choices.

Thank you,

Erik

[tybeck]

I tried CaptureOne 4 while it was in beta. I really liked the output for people shots or higher noise situations. I ended up going with RAW Developer because CaptureOne was pretty slow on my old Mac and I actually preferred the interface for CaptureOne LE 3.7. Lots of people sware by CaptureOne and I've seen tons of great pictures come out of it. You're testing of various software is about the best thing you can do to help you decide which to invest in.

[emalvick]

Yes, I would test them all if I could, but I am trying to narrow down my software to test to a couple of programs since it takes too much time to download them all (the limitation of a slow connection).

[arbutusq]

I found Capture One did funny things with WB on PEFs from my K100. I use LR now and play with Silkypix lite every so often.

[bc_the_path]

I use Pentax Photo Laboratory most frequently. Its user interface is poor; however, it functions nicely.

I occasionally use UFRAW+Gimp and I am satisfied with that combination.

I have tried RawTherapee but it does not seem to like Pentax's anti-alias approach and diagonal lines generally end up jagged.

For images that need careful - focal enhancements/corrections I use LightZone (for Linux) which does a very good job. I am thinking of buying it some time soon. Its pricier version supports batch processing; if I remember correctly.

[davemdsn]

My primary processor is Mac only unfortunately, but I do use and love ACR from Adobe as well. It comes with Adobe Lightroom for about $300 and with Photoshop Elements for about $100.

[bbpa103]

Originally Posted by emalvick

That being said, another feature I need is the ability to read DNG files (and not the Pentax ones). Erik

Hi Erik. Perhaps you already figured this out but just in case. From page 47 of the PPB3 Operating Manual - "memo" "DNG RAW files cannot be opened with Pentax Photo Browser 3 or PPL3. So sounds like PPB/L is not a solution.

.... But for what it's worth, you can create a DNG file from a Pentax PEF file in the PP Browser and then open the DNG file in the PP Lab. Hopefully I haven't made it more confusing.....this took me a little while to sort out... I use a K100D. Ken.

[emalvick]

Originally Posted by bbpa103

Hi Erik. Perhaps you already figured this out but just in case. From page 47 of the PPB3 Operating Manual - "memo" "DNG RAW files cannot be opened with Pentax Photo Browser 3 or PPL3. So sounds like PPB/L is not a solution.

.... But for what it's worth, you can create a DNG file from a Pentax PEF file in the PP Browser and then open the DNG file in the PP Lab. Hopefully I haven't made it more confusing.....this took me a little while to sort out... I use a K100D. Ken.

Well, part of the reason for the original post is that I don't like the PPB/L combo. The other reason is that I have DNGs from a family member that are not from a Pentax and were converted using Adobe's DNG converter.

I also purchased a home recently (After the camera) and so when I got into RAW, I started with RawTherapee and UFRAW because they were free. I am increasingly not liking RawTherapee, and I probably didn't give UFRAW a fair chance.

However, I also thought of trying some of the more affordable commercial programs. This is what led me to thinking of trying Silkypix and Capture One. They both can use DNG (Adobe not Pentax version) and PEF files (which is ultimately more important to me). I could possibly try Bibble, but I don't think it can handle any old DNG, and Lightroom is just too expensive for me. I am also trying to limit the number of programs I try mostly because I don't have the connection to download too many programs (no high speed internet available to me).

Anyway, I had head about the earlier comment with regard to Capture One and WB, and was wondering if the version 4 had that fixed, but it also seems that so few people are using it here, that it might not be worth downloading for a try.

A good friend of mine is not much of a fan of ACR (he has a k10d), and for myself, I think I'd rather buy Lightroom than Elements if I could afford to go the Adobe route, or better put, I'd rather buy Capture One or Silkypix than Elements since they are dedicated RAW converters.

I am not much of a fan of doing much beyond the initial raw processing... I prefer getting good photos off the bat and doing very little on the computer.

Erik

[Venturi]

Have you tried LightZone? From what you've typed in thus far it has everything you need plus a very robust set of tools should you decide you want more and in an intuitive interface (for me at least and I share your dissatisfaction with RawTherapee and UFRaw). It is often compared to Lightroom in power and features but with a significantly lower price tag.

[garys]

I use Lightroom for most everything. It really does a great job. I don't know if Cap.4 or other software works different for RAWs but I do know that Lightroom is really good. I don't see any need to get any other software.

[emalvick]

Originally Posted by garys

I use Lightroom for most everything. It really does a great job. I don't know if Cap.4 or other software works different for RAWs but I do know that Lightroom is really good. I don't see any need to get any other software.

At this point (as I mentioned earlier), I just can't justify buying lightroom (i.e. can't afford to at the moment). I could probably save and get it in a few months, and maybe I will. I do like the descriptions and features of Light Zone and might give that one a try.

[Andreas]

You can get LightRoom with an educational license. If you have a child that goes to school, he/she qualifies... almost any age will do. That would be an option.

I have Lightroom, and I got also an older version of Silkypix (SP) with limited tweakability that produces TIFFs. First I did not like SP at all... the portraits were overdone IMO, a bit too spectacular. But now I find it often superior to LR if you tone it down a bit. It has beautiful colors but I guess you already noticed that. The full version is not cheap either.

I also tried RawTherapee and while it's not bad, it's a bit slow and it often "guesses" wrong so you have to adjust. But I keep an eye on it.

The Pentax software delivers decent images, but there is something wrong with its 16 bit images. (The color histograms of the resulting files have spikes and gaps, as though it's been 8 bit somewhere down the process.)

The combination that works best for me at the moment is Lightroom (database, batch processing, ease of use, import PEF and convert to compressed DNG on the fly) but for my best images I usually use SP.

[bwield]

With the Education Discount, Lightroom can be bought (not downloaded) from adobe.com for 99.00!!

[jlomo]

Originally Posted by bc_the_path

I use Pentax Photo Laboratory most frequently. Its user interface is poor; however, it functions nicely.

I occasionally use UFRAW+Gimp and I am satisfied with that combination.

I have tried RawTherapee but it does not seem to like Pentax's anti-alias approach and diagonal lines generally end up jagged.

For images that need careful - focal enhancements/corrections I use LightZone (for Linux) which does a very good job. I am thinking of buying it some time soon. Its pricier version supports batch processing; if I remember correctly.

I use GIMP for my mainly JPG and TIFF image processing (also PhotoFiltre). When I want to start from RAW (and DNG). I just started to use UFRAW, looks quite well.
Worth mentioning: all those programs are free.
I also just bought DXO Pro (Standard) (150 EUR tax included from their site www.dxo.com): looks very nice processing the Pentax DNG files, it even knows some of it lenses.
UFRAW and DXO can process 14-bit per color images (GIMP cannot).
Much pleasure with RAW and DNG!
Jan

[paulusta]

Whenever I shoot RAW, I use DNG in my K10D.
for RAW processor, I like Bibble because it can handle batch processing and not as expensive as Lightroom.

I haven't tried Lightroom though, so I am not sure if it is worth the price.