I have read where the Silkypix software should be used to convert the Raw image because it is better suited to the Pentax color look. Does anyone do this, and then make their adjustments (contrast, sharpening etc using other software such as ACR or Bibble or whatever?'
I assume you are refering to the Silkypix Developer Studio, and NOT the software that is included with Pentax cameras ?
I usually do all my processing in Silkypix, including: white balance;exposure;contrast;gamma adjustment;selective colour adjustment;capture sharpening;noise reduction;cropping;resizing; and finally USM before saving as jpeg.
There are other tools such as CA removal;curves;perspective adjustments.
I generally resort to Photoshop Elements if I want to do selective adjustments.So to reduce noise or change exposure/colour in a selected part of the picture I will save from Silkypix as a full size TIFF (without USM). After working in PSE I will resize and apply USM.
So to answer your question, you can do everything in Silkypix with the exception of selective work.
Actually I was referring to the software that comes with the camera.
Is Silkypix Developer additional software you have to buy?
My question I guess is can I use the software that comes with the camera to take the Raw image onto my computer and the do all other adjustments in another program like ACR or Bibble of PSE?
The software that comes with the camera is "powered by" Silkypix. The actual Silkypix Developer Studio software is a completely different product :you can find the details here Official SILKYPIX page: the best RAW converter for digital images Well worth the purchase, I dont even have the Pentax software installed.
To answer your question however you can use the Pentax software to process raw images and then do further adjustments in another program like PSE. When you save the raw image you should save it as a TIFF file with no resizing. Then you can open that in PSE and edit it.
Adobe Camera Raw is also a raw converter. You would process the raw file in either the Pentax software or ACR, but not both. Once you have run a raw file through a converter you save the image as another type of file, jpeg,TIFF etc. The raw file remains untouched.
Peter- Excellent explanation!-now I understand it (almost)! I just have one more related question-if I open it with the Silkypix software that comes with the camera, then save as a Tiff, have I lost the benefit of shooting in Raw when making adjustments to the Tiff file?
Peter- Excellent explanation!-now I understand it (almost)! I just have one more related question-if I open it with the Silkypix software that comes with the camera, then save as a Tiff, have I lost the benefit of shooting in Raw when making adjustments to the Tiff file?
Bob
Well yes. Any adjustment is best done in the converter.
The "benefit" of using raw is the ability to work on the raw file which contains all the data captured by the sensor. This work is done in the raw converter. Some raw converters have more features than others. you will only "lose benefit" by using a raw converter with fewer features, or not applying any settings in the raw converter.
Once you have set WB;exposure;contrast;gamma adjustment;colour adjustment;capture sharpening/noise reduction in the raw converter you should not need to change those settings again so you can save the image as a TIFF or jpeg. If you want to do "selective" adjustment to a part of the image you can now do that in PSE or other software.
I have read where the Silkypix software should be used to convert the Raw image because it is better suited to the Pentax color look.
Some think that; others think ACR is better; others find other programs better. It's purely personal taste.
Does anyone do this, and then make their adjustments (contrast, sharpening etc using other software such as ACR or Bibble or whatever?'
If you're going to make those adjustments you are always better off during it in your RAW processing program than after conversion. If all you do is convert to JPEG using default settings and *then* edit using another program, you might as well just shoot JPEG in the first place, because you aren't getting any of the benefits of RAW.
If all you do is convert to JPEG using default settings and *then* edit using another program, you might as well just shoot JPEG in the first place, because you aren't getting any of the benefits of RAW.
Totally agree. If you're using a RAW workflow you shouldn't need to do anything else to the JPEG you export. I actually only convert to JPEG for output to email or the web (like to upload to Flickr)
Reading Gabe's article suggests to me that it might be smart to shoot in RAW+JPEG, which of course gives you total control, by picture, whether it is "good enough" for your intended use of the picture. I realize this requires larger capacity cards but they are cheap as you all know.
As I wrote, I shoot in RAW for planned shoots and JPEG for snaps (family, holiday, parties, etc.). Basically, it's RAW when I know I'm going to do post-processing (ie. I've planned to) and JPEG for the rest.
RAW+JPEG is a good idea when you're not sure or just to be safe and have the best possible quality in the RAW just in case, but access to the JPEG that's ready to share as is. It all depends on what you shot and your post workflow.
I shot about 20 pics over the weekend on the Raw+JPEG with my K10D and other than the quick use of the SD card capacity (!) I like the flexibility that you mention.
using other software such as ACR or Bibble or whatever?'
