[JerryCoyote]

Hi out there. I'm a newbie on this forum. I just got a K-1 and am trying to kick my work up to a higher level. I work on a Dell PC platform, not a Mac. Should I stick with the PCDU5 program that came with the camera, or go to something else - full SilkyPix or ? I have been using Corel PhotoPaint X6 and working only with Jpeg images. So far, I am just becoming familiar with PCDU5 and processing RAW images. I guess one of my questions is this - if you get it right in the camera to begin with, is there really any reason to not go direct to Jpeg and size for printing? I am really comfortable with the Corel program, and wonder if it's really worth it to spend a lot of time in RAW...JerryCoyote

[Adam]

If you're happy with the JPEG output, then there's no need to go to RAW. However, you can get better detail and colors from a raw files if you put in the time. It is also much easier to recover from errors in exposure.

I'd recommend photoshop or lightroom as the next step. LR in particular is both powerful and intuitive.

[SpecialK]

There are several "jpg vs raw" threads. It will be somewhat tedious reading through them. Let me summarize :-)

"Getting it right in camera" = an approximation. If you can adjust parameters successfully for individual shots on the fly, using the LCD, more power to you.

However, there is normally something that can be improved - minor cropping, cloning, horizon leveling, etc, so that an extra step or two in raw software is not really a time-consumer. A lot of my time is spent on chimping/file-handling/renaming.

Also, there are like 5 adjustments to 5 settings (sharpness, saturation, etc) in camera but many more such as "black" in raw software. Further and finally, you can individually tailor the settings for each image to make them the best they can be - is not that why you have a good DSLR?

I went from Pentax software v3.51 to Adobe Elements 6 years ago, and have leapfrogged updates to now being on v15. I do not tag or catalog, which is what most people like about Lightroom. I also use the free FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ... program for a lot of file handling and browsing. Not sure it is updated for the K1, but I would give it a shot.

[pschlute]

I have used Silkypix for many years. I now am using Silkypix DS pro 7. It is a raw converter with a lot of depth to it. The latest version DS Pro 8 is pricey, although there is a cheaper reduced functionalty version. If you want to go down the RAW route, then I recommend it. You can download a trial version for 30 days.

RAW processing does not need to add a lot to your workflow. You can set up a profile with standard or tweaked settings and batch process RAW files. Or spend hours finely tuning one picture. The choice is yours.

[JerryCoyote]

I have used Silkypix for many years. I now am using Silkypix DS pro 7. It is a raw converter with a lot of depth to it. The latest version DS Pro 8 is pricey, although there is a cheaper reduced functionalty version. If you want to go down the RAW route, then I recommend it. You can download a trial version for 30 days.

RAW processing does not need to add a lot to your workflow. You can set up a profile with standard or tweaked settings and batch process RAW files. Or spend hours finely tuning one picture. The choice is yours.

I will investigate SilkyPix DS Pro 8. Prefer to buy a stand-alone product, seems Lightroom and Photoshop are now all by monthly subscription. Perhaps I just have not worked with PDCU5 enough yet, but it does not seem so intuitive as my Corel Photo-Paint X 6, but that program does not support RAW.

[photolady95]

Another program you might want to check out is Photoshop Elements I use this program and have for the last years. It's standalone, and it allows the use collections, share options, etc And it's not that expensive

About Photoshop Elements:

What is Photoshop Elements 15? | Adobe Photoshop Elements tutorials

[pschlute]

I will investigate SilkyPix DS Pro 8

It is a great RAW converter and has a lot of depth so you will never need to get another. But do understand it is a RAW converter, without the catalogueing features of say Photoshop Elements. I use Elements too both for catalogueing and also because I like some of the editing tools like cloning. If I am working on one particular picture I usually do the RAW conversion in Silkypix getting WB; exposure; contrast; colour; any lens corrections correct in that first. Then output as a TIFF which I can then edit further in PSE using layers, then convert to JPEG.

For the majority of my general pictures I simply use Silkypix to RAW convert, using a profile I have set up and just crop and batch convert to JPEG.

Don't be put off by Silkypix's Japanese-English terms, some of which can sound rather wierd in translation ! The manual can be accessed by clicking on the help icons next to each setting and do explain things in detail. You can also edit JPEG files with it.

[clickclick]

You can still buy Lightroom outright and not do the subscription thing:

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

You might also want to check out Corel Aftershot Pro 3. You can download a free 30 day trial:

Aftershot Pro Raw Photo Editor by Corel - Official Site

and you might also want to check out Topaz Labs and not only their plugins, but also Studio:

Photography Software from Topaz Labs

And DxO is doing a free license of DxO OpticsPro 11 Essential version until the end of November

DxO & PracticalPhotography | DxO.com


There's more out there, but that should keep you busy for awhile.

[thazooo]

You can always shoot Raw + Jpeg and try processing both. PDCU can convert your RAW to Jpeg or Tiff and then you can process away in Photo Paint.
Photo Paint is a strong program and can match PS in most ways. PS has a bit of an advantage with 48 bit images. The Pixel Shift part of the K-1 is different and I've read complains about other RAW converts not doing it right.
Good Luck.

[JerryCoyote]

I have been very pleased with Corel PhotoPaint. I am shooting both RAW and Jpeg images, doing some work with the PDCU-5 that came with my K1 on the RAW images. Getting more familiar with it, but it does not do some things (at least not intuitively) that are simple with PhotoPaint. So, here is a hypothetical question: If I have an image that I consider spot on when viewing it on-screen in both RAW and Jpeg, just as it was shot with no editing at all, and I print that image from the Jpeg file and the RAW file converted to Jpeg, will there be any visual difference in the two prints?

[rechmbrs]

Have a good look at Rawtherapee.com program. Probably harder to learn but the payoff is in the potential benefits to your images. Pixel Shift methology is best available. Just be patient when you start and learn as you go.
And it is FREE!
RONC

[thazooo]

I have been very pleased with Corel PhotoPaint. I am shooting both RAW and Jpeg images, doing some work with the PDCU-5 that came with my K1 on the RAW images. Getting more familiar with it, but it does not do some things (at least not intuitively) that are simple with PhotoPaint. So, here is a hypothetical question: If I have an image that I consider spot on when viewing it on-screen in both RAW and Jpeg, just as it was shot with no editing at all, and I print that image from the Jpeg file and the RAW file converted to Jpeg, will there be any visual difference in the two prints?

Shouldn't be if both JPG are similar on screen. It's been awhile since I printed out of Corel. Before the new color management engine it was a Pain to get color similar to what was seen on the screen. I switched to a RIP years ago and haven't tried Corel printing since.

[Adam]

Since you posted a new thread with a more concise question, let's continue discussion there:
PDCU 5 algorithms for enlargement? - PentaxForums.com