Need software

Tony3d · 01-21-2016, 04:24 AM

Hi all, my new K3-2 should be here today, and I'm now looking for raw processing software. I'm done with photoshops cloud deal, and would like software I buy once. I'm running a 12 core 3.06 gig Mac Pro desktop which is mainly used for my 3D Modeling/ Rendering software. Any suggestions on software set to work with my k3-2 raw images? Was looking at Pixelmator.

**Alex645** · 01-21-2016, 04:40 AM

As a Mac user, my top choice would have been Aperture until Apple nixed it

Apple and Adobe over the years seem to fluctuate between competing (good for consumers) and then compromising (bad for consumers) their products for Macs. I found that the old Aperture did a better and more intuitive processing of RAW files compared to LR.

So unless you can find a used version of Aperture 3, Lightroom 6 is my recommendation. I don't know what your expectations are, but the industry benchmark remains Adobe Lightroom 6 and you can still buy a non-cloud one time version either as a DVD or as a download:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 (DVD) 65237578 B&H Photo Video

Considering the long term costs for CC, the one-time version at $142 is reasonable. If you work at a school or non-profit, you can get it from sites such as creationengine for as little as $80: Creation Engine - Search Results

Tony3d · 01-21-2016, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by Alex645

As a Mac user, my top choice would have been Aperture until Apple nixed it

Apple and Adobe over the years seem to fluctuate between competing (good for consumers) and then compromising (bad for consumers) their products for Macs. I found that the old Aperture did a better and more intuitive processing of RAW files compared to LR.

So unless you can find a used version of Aperture 3, Lightroom 6 is my recommendation. I don't know what your expectations are, but the industry benchmark remains Adobe Lightroom 6 and you can still buy a non-cloud one time version either as a DVD or as a download:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 (DVD) 65237578 B&H Photo Video

Considering the long term costs for CC, the one-time version at $142 is reasonable. If you work at a school or non-profit, you can get it from sites such as creationengine for as little as $80: Creation Engine - Search Results

Is the one time version updatable? I had bought Photoshop Elements off the App Store, and that version will never see an update! Adobe also won't let me update it through thier site! Adobe really sucks!

**Alex645** · 01-21-2016, 04:59 AM

Tony, I suspect any one time version from Adobe will not have updates simply because they are trying to force photographers to be CC lifers. I, thus far, have refused to go that direction although in the long run it sort of makes the most sense as we upgrade hardware and OS frequently enough that Adobe has to make ends meet with developing new software constantly.

But consider a one time $142 investment equal to about a year on the cloud. I think if you're planning to upgrade your OS or buy the K-1, in the next couple of years, then maybe this is not the way to go. But if not, you'll probably not want or need an upgrade for perhaps 3 years, in which case, this is a good value.

Ultimately the question is: Does Pixelmator or some other RAW processor do what you need it to do with relative ease for less $$? Perhaps, but I haven't found it yet.

**UncleVanya** · 01-21-2016, 05:14 AM

I have a PC and have cc and dxo optics and their film pack and perspective manupulation software. I'm often more pleased with that package - but it doesn't do library management.

hcc · 01-21-2016, 05:18 AM - **1 Like**

Your K-3 came with Digital Camera Utility 5 (free). Why don't you use it? It is a powerful tool, albeit sometimes cumbersome.

atupdate · 01-21-2016, 05:29 AM

Corel Paint Shop Pro X7 fully supports the K-3 and can do 90+% of what Photoshop does (I use PSP X4 with my K-r). Since X8 just came out, X7 Ultimate is available at Amazon for less than $40.

Amazon.com: Corel PaintShop Pro X7 Ultimate [Old Version]: Software

Great program for such a low price.

Tim

Unregistered User · 01-21-2016, 05:31 AM

I like Silkypix. I avoid anything made by Adobe - they have a reputation for writing code that's resource-hoggy, and everything they do requires too much Adobe control and intrusion, in my opinion.

JMMM · 01-21-2016, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by Tony3d

Hi all, my new K3-2 should be here today, and I'm now looking for raw processing software. I'm done with photoshops cloud deal, and would like software I buy once. I'm running a 12 core 3.06 gig Mac Pro desktop which is mainly used for my 3D Modeling/ Rendering software. Any suggestions on software set to work with my k3-2 raw images? Was looking at Pixelmator.

This one is the best: install | darktable

Tony3d · 01-21-2016, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by hcc

Your K-3 came with Digital Camera Utility 5 (free). Why don't you use it? It is a powerful tool, albeit sometimes cumbersome.

I tried software with my K7, and found it extremely slow, and sluggish. Maybe it's improved over the years. I'll give it another shot!

veato · 01-21-2016, 06:49 AM

Affinity Photo?

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/

**boriscleto** · 01-21-2016, 07:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by atupdate

Corel Paint Shop Pro X7 fully supports the K-3 and can do 90+% of what Photoshop does (I use PSP X4 with my K-r). Since X8 just came out, X7 Ultimate is available at Amazon for less than $40.

Amazon.com: Corel PaintShop Pro X7 Ultimate [Old Version]: Software

Great program for such a low price.

Tim

And Windows only.

@Tony3d If you are not going to use Lightroom CC or 6, 6 will be upgradeable to 7 if there is a 7, then Affinity seems like the best deal in commercial software at the moment. At least download the trial version...

Darktable has its adherents as well. It's free, so you might as well try it. RawTherapee too...

RawTherapee Features

**microlight** · 01-21-2016, 08:42 AM

Tony,

If you want to use the pixel shift mode of the K-3II, you will need to get familiar with DCU5 as it's currently the only software that will handle the RAWs from PS. Also bear in mind that DCU5 has been built to get the best quality out of the RAWs and will therefore likely outperform other software, especially the free ones.

atupdate · 01-21-2016, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

And Windows only.
RawTherapee Features

You are correct. My eyes glazed over as I read through his system description and I failed to see the MacPro portion of his post. Thanks for catching that.

Tim

**baro-nite** · 01-21-2016, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by veato

Affinity Photo?

Well worth checking out; I have been using it for a while and am very impressed. But I've been using it for PP on film scans, so I haven't tried it for raw conversions yet. For that I still like the Mac-only Iridient Developer.

01-21-2016, 04:24 AM	#1
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487	Need software Hi all, my new K3-2 should be here today, and I'm now looking for raw processing software. I'm done with photoshops cloud deal, and would like software I buy once. I'm running a 12 core 3.06 gig Mac Pro desktop which is mainly used for my 3D Modeling/ Rendering software. Any suggestions on software set to work with my k3-2 raw images? Was looking at Pixelmator.

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01-21-2016, 04:40 AM	#2
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	As a Mac user, my top choice would have been Aperture until Apple nixed it Apple and Adobe over the years seem to fluctuate between competing (good for consumers) and then compromising (bad for consumers) their products for Macs. I found that the old Aperture did a better and more intuitive processing of RAW files compared to LR. So unless you can find a used version of Aperture 3, Lightroom 6 is my recommendation. I don't know what your expectations are, but the industry benchmark remains Adobe Lightroom 6 and you can still buy a non-cloud one time version either as a DVD or as a download: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 (DVD) 65237578 B&H Photo Video Considering the long term costs for CC, the one-time version at $142 is reasonable. If you work at a school or non-profit, you can get it from sites such as creationengine for as little as $80: Creation Engine - Search Results

01-21-2016, 04:44 AM	#3
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alex645 As a Mac user, my top choice would have been Aperture until Apple nixed it Apple and Adobe over the years seem to fluctuate between competing (good for consumers) and then compromising (bad for consumers) their products for Macs. I found that the old Aperture did a better and more intuitive processing of RAW files compared to LR. So unless you can find a used version of Aperture 3, Lightroom 6 is my recommendation. I don't know what your expectations are, but the industry benchmark remains Adobe Lightroom 6 and you can still buy a non-cloud one time version either as a DVD or as a download: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 (DVD) 65237578 B&H Photo Video Considering the long term costs for CC, the one-time version at $142 is reasonable. If you work at a school or non-profit, you can get it from sites such as creationengine for as little as $80: Creation Engine - Search Results Is the one time version updatable? I had bought Photoshop Elements off the App Store, and that version will never see an update! Adobe also won't let me update it through thier site! Adobe really sucks!

01-21-2016, 04:59 AM	#4
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Tony, I suspect any one time version from Adobe will not have updates simply because they are trying to force photographers to be CC lifers. I, thus far, have refused to go that direction although in the long run it sort of makes the most sense as we upgrade hardware and OS frequently enough that Adobe has to make ends meet with developing new software constantly. But consider a one time $142 investment equal to about a year on the cloud. I think if you're planning to upgrade your OS or buy the K-1, in the next couple of years, then maybe this is not the way to go. But if not, you'll probably not want or need an upgrade for perhaps 3 years, in which case, this is a good value. Ultimately the question is: Does Pixelmator or some other RAW processor do what you need it to do with relative ease for less $$? Perhaps, but I haven't found it yet.

01-21-2016, 05:14 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	I have a PC and have cc and dxo optics and their film pack and perspective manupulation software. I'm often more pleased with that package - but it doesn't do library management.

01-21-2016, 05:18 AM - 1 Like	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Your K-3 came with Digital Camera Utility 5 (free). Why don't you use it? It is a powerful tool, albeit sometimes cumbersome.

01-21-2016, 05:29 AM	#7
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,723	Corel Paint Shop Pro X7 fully supports the K-3 and can do 90+% of what Photoshop does (I use PSP X4 with my K-r). Since X8 just came out, X7 Ultimate is available at Amazon for less than $40. Amazon.com: Corel PaintShop Pro X7 Ultimate [Old Version]: Software Great program for such a low price. Tim

01-21-2016, 05:31 AM	#8
Unregistered User Guest	I like Silkypix. I avoid anything made by Adobe - they have a reputation for writing code that's resource-hoggy, and everything they do requires too much Adobe control and intrusion, in my opinion.

01-21-2016, 05:33 AM	#9
JMMM New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 24	Originally posted by Tony3d Hi all, my new K3-2 should be here today, and I'm now looking for raw processing software. I'm done with photoshops cloud deal, and would like software I buy once. I'm running a 12 core 3.06 gig Mac Pro desktop which is mainly used for my 3D Modeling/ Rendering software. Any suggestions on software set to work with my k3-2 raw images? Was looking at Pixelmator. This one is the best: install \| darktable

01-21-2016, 06:03 AM	#10
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	Originally posted by hcc Your K-3 came with Digital Camera Utility 5 (free). Why don't you use it? It is a powerful tool, albeit sometimes cumbersome. I tried software with my K7, and found it extremely slow, and sluggish. Maybe it's improved over the years. I'll give it another shot!

01-21-2016, 06:49 AM	#11
veato Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nottingham Posts: 543	Affinity Photo? https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/

01-21-2016, 07:55 AM - 1 Like	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by atupdate Corel Paint Shop Pro X7 fully supports the K-3 and can do 90+% of what Photoshop does (I use PSP X4 with my K-r). Since X8 just came out, X7 Ultimate is available at Amazon for less than $40. Amazon.com: Corel PaintShop Pro X7 Ultimate [Old Version]: Software Great program for such a low price. Tim And Windows only. @Tony3d If you are not going to use Lightroom CC or 6, 6 will be upgradeable to 7 if there is a 7, then Affinity seems like the best deal in commercial software at the moment. At least download the trial version... Darktable has its adherents as well. It's free, so you might as well try it. RawTherapee too... RawTherapee Features

01-21-2016, 08:42 AM	#13
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Tony, If you want to use the pixel shift mode of the K-3II, you will need to get familiar with DCU5 as it's currently the only software that will handle the RAWs from PS. Also bear in mind that DCU5 has been built to get the best quality out of the RAWs and will therefore likely outperform other software, especially the free ones.

01-21-2016, 08:45 AM	#14
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,723	Originally posted by boriscleto And Windows only. RawTherapee Features You are correct. My eyes glazed over as I read through his system description and I failed to see the MacPro portion of his post. Thanks for catching that. Tim

01-21-2016, 08:59 AM	#15
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by veato Affinity Photo? Well worth checking out; I have been using it for a while and am very impressed. But I've been using it for PP on film scans, so I haven't tried it for raw conversions yet. For that I still like the Mac-only Iridient Developer.