Which software for RAW extraction?

VE2CJW · 07-24-2011, 08:22 PM

Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks.
Mike.

cats_five · 07-24-2011, 11:40 PM

Try both and see which you prefer - after all they are your photos and you are the one using the software.

rawr · 07-25-2011, 01:04 AM

The Pentax software, particularly the latest version, is a very good RAW processor.

I'd start there with any RAW processing and only go to something else if you really feel limited by the Pentax software. The Pentax software is free, powerful and can produce great results. Strengths of the Pentax software include full support for all the in-camera custom image settings available in your model camera, as well as full support for Pentax lens corrections (geometric distortion, CA etc) and (with the latest version) very good high ISO noise reduction too.

ACR+Elements is also a very good combo. ACR is an excellent RAW convertor and Elements is a powerful image editor, whereas the Pentax software isn't really an image editor at all.

So there is no harm in buying Elements. A good image editor is handy to have no matter what RAW processor you use.

Catalana · 07-30-2011, 12:02 AM

You might also give this a shot. I was cleaning my hard drive and found an older version in a folder. That prompted me to go to the web site and they now have a newer beta version (Windows XP/7). Even supports Pentax K-5.

Scarab Darkroom

Marc Sabatella · 07-30-2011, 12:45 PM - **1 Like**

Also, see the many, many existing threads comparing different RAW processing programs. My opinion - differences in output are miniscule, subjective, and almost completely irrelevant. Differences in capabilities and simplicity of workflow are huge and the only things worth thinking about.

**volley** · 07-31-2011, 02:56 AM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Also, see the many, many existing threads comparing different RAW processing programs. My opinion - differences in output are miniscule, subjective, and almost completely irrelevant. Differences in capabilities and simplicity of workflow are huge and the only things worth thinking about.

+1

... I would also suggest to stick with whatever software you use for a while at least. With every software package you will need to learn and practise for a while to find out what is working well and what's not in order to achieve the results you prefer.

Krzys · 08-23-2011, 06:01 AM

Ive just started taking Raw with JPEG. Now Ive got to do some IT jiggerypokery on my PC to bring the image alive! Can anyone suggest an EASY TO USE and inexpensive software to do this. I tend to store all my images on Picasa and am not into Photoshop style cheating!! I am not good with IT and dont want to spend hours with every image I take!

SpecialK · 08-23-2011, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by Krzys

Ive just started taking Raw with JPEG. Now Ive got to do some IT jiggerypokery on my PC to bring the image alive! Can anyone suggest an EASY TO USE and inexpensive software to do this. I tend to store all my images on Picasa and am not into Photoshop style cheating!! I am not good with IT and dont want to spend hours with every image I take!

As mentioned, all the answers (and there are many) are in previous threads of this section. Even the "photoshop is cheating" thread is around, somewhere. :-)

Workingdog · 08-30-2011, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by VE2CJW

Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks.
Mike.

Try UFRAW and RAWtherapee too, both free. I decided on UFRAW for myself mostly because it's easier to use than the Pentax utility and works nicely with aftermarket denoising software (Topaz).

07-24-2011, 08:22 PM	#1
VE2CJW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Candiac, QC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 403	Which software for RAW extraction? Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks. Mike.

08-23-2011, 06:01 AM	#7
Krzys Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London Posts: 12	So what is the recommendation? Ive just started taking Raw with JPEG. Now Ive got to do some IT jiggerypokery on my PC to bring the image alive! Can anyone suggest an EASY TO USE and inexpensive software to do this. I tend to store all my images on Picasa and am not into Photoshop style cheating!! I am not good with IT and dont want to spend hours with every image I take!

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07-24-2011, 11:40 PM	#2
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Try both and see which you prefer - after all they are your photos and you are the one using the software.

07-25-2011, 01:04 AM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	The Pentax software, particularly the latest version, is a very good RAW processor. I'd start there with any RAW processing and only go to something else if you really feel limited by the Pentax software. The Pentax software is free, powerful and can produce great results. Strengths of the Pentax software include full support for all the in-camera custom image settings available in your model camera, as well as full support for Pentax lens corrections (geometric distortion, CA etc) and (with the latest version) very good high ISO noise reduction too. ACR+Elements is also a very good combo. ACR is an excellent RAW convertor and Elements is a powerful image editor, whereas the Pentax software isn't really an image editor at all. So there is no harm in buying Elements. A good image editor is handy to have no matter what RAW processor you use.

07-30-2011, 12:02 AM	#4
Catalana Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 190	You might also give this a shot. I was cleaning my hard drive and found an older version in a folder. That prompted me to go to the web site and they now have a newer beta version (Windows XP/7). Even supports Pentax K-5. Scarab Darkroom

07-30-2011, 12:45 PM - 1 Like	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Also, see the many, many existing threads comparing different RAW processing programs. My opinion - differences in output are miniscule, subjective, and almost completely irrelevant. Differences in capabilities and simplicity of workflow are huge and the only things worth thinking about.

07-31-2011, 02:56 AM	#6
volley Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springe Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,693	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Also, see the many, many existing threads comparing different RAW processing programs. My opinion - differences in output are miniscule, subjective, and almost completely irrelevant. Differences in capabilities and simplicity of workflow are huge and the only things worth thinking about. +1 ... I would also suggest to stick with whatever software you use for a while at least. With every software package you will need to learn and practise for a while to find out what is working well and what's not in order to achieve the results you prefer.

08-23-2011, 12:52 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by Krzys Ive just started taking Raw with JPEG. Now Ive got to do some IT jiggerypokery on my PC to bring the image alive! Can anyone suggest an EASY TO USE and inexpensive software to do this. I tend to store all my images on Picasa and am not into Photoshop style cheating!! I am not good with IT and dont want to spend hours with every image I take! As mentioned, all the answers (and there are many) are in previous threads of this section. Even the "photoshop is cheating" thread is around, somewhere. :-)

08-30-2011, 11:30 AM	#9
Workingdog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: York, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 736	Originally posted by VE2CJW Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks. Mike. Try UFRAW and RAWtherapee too, both free. I decided on UFRAW for myself mostly because it's easier to use than the Pentax utility and works nicely with aftermarket denoising software (Topaz).