645Z Raw Converter??

creative69 · 11-17-2015, 09:20 AM

AS a self confessed pixel peeper I'm interested to know which converter you guys are using for your 645Z/D files. I have been using Capture One for my Canon files prior to getting the 645Z. Obviously now I need something else. I have been using LR CC by default because its convenient, its obviously not the best when it comes to image quality imho. I have tried the included Pentax software which is far too slow with no gains in IQ as far as I can see. I use iridient developer for my Fuji files which seems to do a good job with the Pentax files too. I'm currently testing out DXO Optics Pro 10 which so far looks promising.

Kolor-Pikker · 11-17-2015, 10:07 AM

Also a former C1 user here that I regret not having to process my 645Z files with. oh well. what I don't regret is moving away from my Canon system, even if there were some tangible benefits to it's algorithms, it wouldn't have magically given me 3~4 extra stops of DR.

For the time being I'm content with Lightroom, it's definitely not the mess it used to be in the pre-v4 days, and most other options are either just not as good, or are too obtuse to use as a daily driver. I may try out DXO OP10, but my experience with it 4-5 versions ago wasn't that great.

**jrpower10** · 11-17-2015, 10:32 AM

Lightroom. Never used anything else so I don't have anything to compare to.

12345 · 11-17-2015, 11:30 AM

I've always used Lightroom too, but I've dabbled with RawTherapee, and I would give it a slight edge in the IQ race, (of course depending on your develop settings). I definitely like RT's sharpening tools better than Lightroom 5...

CDW · 11-17-2015, 11:47 AM

Here is a link to a thread on getDPI | Photography at its best. A technically capable individual developed an alternative DNG profile for the 645Z that can be used as a LR plugin. Users seem to universally agree it is superior to the LR profile for the 645Z. The profile can be downloaded at no charge.

New custom DNG profile for Pentax 645z

creative69 · 11-17-2015, 11:57 AM

Hey thanks for the reply guys! *Update* DXO OP 10 is not the ONE after all. It has some great stuff but I'm starting to miss capture one now.
As I said LR wins a lot of fans by default its not til you compare it to something else will you see the difference. Head scratching time

---------- Post added 11-17-15 at 11:59 AM ----------

Originally posted by CDW

Here is a link to a thread on getDPI | Photography at its best. A technically capable individual developed an alternative DNG profile for the 645Z that can be used as a LR plugin. Users seem to universally agree it is superior to the LR profile for the 645Z. The profile can be downloaded at no charge.

New custom DNG profile for Pentax 645z

Thanks for this although I'm not sure its specifically a colour thing, will this improve the conversion too?

---------- Post added 11-17-15 at 12:05 PM ----------

Being new to Pentax, is there a reason why they cannot make their own software that is usable?

**jrpower10** · 11-17-2015, 12:30 PM

For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy?

seanjmc · 11-17-2015, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by jrpower10

For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy?

Hi, one can use Capture One if you use the Capture Fix program...can process out and everything..I have posted a new thread asking what are good general settings besides setting ICC profile to a camera that uses the same Sony sensor....

gha128 · 11-17-2015, 02:11 PM

Lightroom cc with a good profile

So much head room in the z files that to make the most of them...photoshop becomes the answer

creative69 · 11-17-2015, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by jrpower10

For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy?

From my experience the native applications offer the best conversion for obvious reasons. Processing fuji files in Silky Pixs the results are impressive, same with Canon and DPP etc. The problem is these apps offer only partial workflows, meaning other apps need to be used. Don't get me wrong Capture One is far from perfect rather a happy medium which offers the best of Lightroom with better conversion. Granted I'm yet to try CO Pro with the Pentax files so I could be barking up the wrong tree here. But I'm guessing there is a reason why Alex Munuoz has gone to such lengths to use CO Pro with his 645Z files.

seanjmc · 11-18-2015, 12:26 AM

Alex might be sort of a Pentax secret agent in a way as well....

Carsten_R · 11-18-2015, 05:55 AM

You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White.

Carsten

creative69 · 11-18-2015, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by Carsten_R

You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White.

Carsten

I've heard this but sounds like overkill for me life is far too short! I believe Photo Ninja V2 is imminent... I wait with baited breath.

creative69 · 11-29-2015, 02:45 AM

Hi some of you may find this helpful. After more testing I have found Lightroom to be frustratingly poor at raw conversion for my Fuji files and now my Pentax files. Granted if you never used anything else you may not be aware of the shortcomings. I have found that Apple Aperture does a stellar job with way more tonal range and clarity with the 645d files. For the 645z Iridient Developer is impressive as Aperture does not support the 645z files. Iridient seems to give consistently good results across most brands but some initial colour profile settings may be required.

analog65 · 12-29-2015, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by Carsten_R

You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White.

Carsten

Can you provide more details on this fix? I have Capture one 9 and it won't recognize my 645Z files (which I am aware of). You say that if you chance the "Model" to IQ250 it will work. I can't find how to do that.

Thanks

11-17-2015, 09:20 AM	#1
creative69 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121	645Z Raw Converter?? AS a self confessed pixel peeper I'm interested to know which converter you guys are using for your 645Z/D files. I have been using Capture One for my Canon files prior to getting the 645Z. Obviously now I need something else. I have been using LR CC by default because its convenient, its obviously not the best when it comes to image quality imho. I have tried the included Pentax software which is far too slow with no gains in IQ as far as I can see. I use iridient developer for my Fuji files which seems to do a good job with the Pentax files too. I'm currently testing out DXO Optics Pro 10 which so far looks promising.

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11-17-2015, 10:07 AM	#2
Kolor-Pikker Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 344	Also a former C1 user here that I regret not having to process my 645Z files with. oh well. what I don't regret is moving away from my Canon system, even if there were some tangible benefits to it's algorithms, it wouldn't have magically given me 3~4 extra stops of DR. For the time being I'm content with Lightroom, it's definitely not the mess it used to be in the pre-v4 days, and most other options are either just not as good, or are too obtuse to use as a daily driver. I may try out DXO OP10, but my experience with it 4-5 versions ago wasn't that great.

11-17-2015, 10:32 AM	#3
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	Lightroom. Never used anything else so I don't have anything to compare to.

11-17-2015, 11:30 AM	#4
12345 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 520	I've always used Lightroom too, but I've dabbled with RawTherapee, and I would give it a slight edge in the IQ race, (of course depending on your develop settings). I definitely like RT's sharpening tools better than Lightroom 5...

11-17-2015, 11:47 AM	#5
CDW Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Big Island, Hawaii & Utah Posts: 457	Here is a link to a thread on getDPI \| Photography at its best. A technically capable individual developed an alternative DNG profile for the 645Z that can be used as a LR plugin. Users seem to universally agree it is superior to the LR profile for the 645Z. The profile can be downloaded at no charge. New custom DNG profile for Pentax 645z

11-17-2015, 11:57 AM	#6
creative69 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	Hey thanks for the reply guys! Update DXO OP 10 is not the ONE after all. It has some great stuff but I'm starting to miss capture one now. As I said LR wins a lot of fans by default its not til you compare it to something else will you see the difference. Head scratching time ---------- Post added 11-17-15 at 11:59 AM ---------- Originally posted by CDW Here is a link to a thread on getDPI \| Photography at its best. A technically capable individual developed an alternative DNG profile for the 645Z that can be used as a LR plugin. Users seem to universally agree it is superior to the LR profile for the 645Z. The profile can be downloaded at no charge. New custom DNG profile for Pentax 645z Thanks for this although I'm not sure its specifically a colour thing, will this improve the conversion too? ---------- Post added 11-17-15 at 12:05 PM ---------- Being new to Pentax, is there a reason why they cannot make their own software that is usable?

11-17-2015, 12:30 PM	#7
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy?

11-17-2015, 12:49 PM	#8
seanjmc New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New York City Posts: 19	Originally posted by jrpower10 For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy? Hi, one can use Capture One if you use the Capture Fix program...can process out and everything..I have posted a new thread asking what are good general settings besides setting ICC profile to a camera that uses the same Sony sensor....

11-17-2015, 02:11 PM	#9
gha128 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 49	Lightroom cc with a good profile So much head room in the z files that to make the most of them...photoshop becomes the answer

11-17-2015, 02:52 PM	#10
creative69 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	Originally posted by jrpower10 For my own education, what do you find Capture One does better than Lightroom? My quick research on Google indicates C1 and DXO do a bit better at preserving highlights and at transitions to blown areas, and maybe better at noise reduction. There was also discussion of getting punchier (more saturated, contrasty) conversions, but I would've thought you could deal with that via LR adjustments. I'm definitely curious about the highlights/noise reduction, though, as LR isn't great at transitions from blown areas (very harsh transition IMHO). Bad enough, in fact, that if I have a truly blown area I won't even try to recover any highlights as it only makes it worse. Anything else you find noteworthy? From my experience the native applications offer the best conversion for obvious reasons. Processing fuji files in Silky Pixs the results are impressive, same with Canon and DPP etc. The problem is these apps offer only partial workflows, meaning other apps need to be used. Don't get me wrong Capture One is far from perfect rather a happy medium which offers the best of Lightroom with better conversion. Granted I'm yet to try CO Pro with the Pentax files so I could be barking up the wrong tree here. But I'm guessing there is a reason why Alex Munuoz has gone to such lengths to use CO Pro with his 645Z files.

11-18-2015, 12:26 AM	#11
seanjmc New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New York City Posts: 19	Alex might be sort of a Pentax secret agent in a way as well....

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11-18-2015, 05:55 AM	#12
Carsten_R Guest	You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White. Carsten

11-18-2015, 01:56 PM	#13
creative69 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	Originally posted by Carsten_R You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White. Carsten I've heard this but sounds like overkill for me life is far too short! I believe Photo Ninja V2 is imminent... I wait with baited breath.

11-29-2015, 02:45 AM	#14
creative69 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	Hi some of you may find this helpful. After more testing I have found Lightroom to be frustratingly poor at raw conversion for my Fuji files and now my Pentax files. Granted if you never used anything else you may not be aware of the shortcomings. I have found that Apple Aperture does a stellar job with way more tonal range and clarity with the 645d files. For the 645z Iridient Developer is impressive as Aperture does not support the 645z files. Iridient seems to give consistently good results across most brands but some initial colour profile settings may be required.

12-29-2015, 05:19 PM	#15
analog65 New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 6	Originally posted by Carsten_R You can use Capture One after renaming "Model" in Exif from 645z to IQ250. I give you right that C1 is better, but most often I just use LR for ease of use. Sometimes I try alternatively a conversion with Photo Ninja, especially for black and White. Carsten Can you provide more details on this fix? I have Capture one 9 and it won't recognize my 645Z files (which I am aware of). You say that if you chance the "Model" to IQ250 it will work. I can't find how to do that. Thanks