[MD Optofonik]

I use Lightroom, but not very often because the catalog system annoys me.

Have you read Martin Evening's book? It's very "textbook" but worth the time and effort to get through it. I had to re-read the cataloging section a couple of times to get my head around it. It's pretty dry reading but sticks to the facts without trying to be entertaining and distracting from the point (like someone else's books that are certainly informative but try too hard to be entertaining). Sounds like YMV.

[JimmyDranox]

No, I didn't, and buying a book outside my country can be very expensive. Almost double the price.

[Andi Lo]

I know this might not help the OP but it's worth mentioning in this thread since we're discussing lightroom. Since I started processing 24mp images, Lightroom library mode have really slowed to the point of being hard to use. For the initial sorting I now use Photomechanic, it's lightning fast compared to Lightroom for this purpose. I color tag them in Photomechanic and reimport in Lightroom, and it retains the color tag. I separate the photos into separate folder then work on them. Much faster than doing the sorting in Lightroom.

[stevebrot]

Since I started processing 24mp images, Lightroom library mode have really slowed to the point of being hard to use.

That is strange. Library uses cached preview images and catalog metadata to drive the view. The original file sizes should not change anything except for the time to import and the time to display other than the previews. I don't remember any particular lag in performance for general Library functions when I got my K-3.


Steve

[sadatoni]

Here's another vote for Lightroom. I've used various versions of Elements for several years (7, 10 and 12). Finally decided to try Lightroom and now I wish I had switched a long time ago.

Also, FastStone Image Viewer cannot process K-3 .PEF files. Press "A" to load in the raw data, and get nothing but color streaks. Works fine with the K-5 .PEF files.

John

[cxdoo]

@Andi Lo
This could be issue with Lightroom buildin 1:1 previews as you go through pictures. Try the option of building them on import, wait for it to finish and see if it makes any difference.

[Andi Lo]

@Andi Lo
This could be issue with Lightroom buildin 1:1 previews as you go through pictures. Try the option of building them on import, wait for it to finish and see if it makes any difference.

I will try that next time. From what you descibed I assume that it will end up take some time to render the previews during import. Photo Mechanic seems to not need that time at all, everything is instant, but it's great to know!

"Standard" might be better option for initial previewing I suspect. Do you know if there is a command to "build 1:1 previews" on selected photos only after everything is imported?

That is strange. Library uses cached preview images and catalog metadata to drive the view. The original file sizes should not change anything except for the time to import and the time to display other than the previews. I don't remember any particular lag in performance for general Library functions when I got my K-3.

Probably what cxdoo said above, Lightroom may take a bit longer to build 1:1 previews on bigger files. Once it's loaded I find 24mp not that much different from 12mp though.

[cxdoo]

I will try that next time. From what you descibed I assume that it will end up take some time to render the previews during import. Photo Mechanic seems to not need that time at all, everything is instant, but it's great to know!

"Standard" might be better option for initial previewing I suspect. Do you know if there is a command to "build 1:1 previews" on selected photos only after everything is imported?

I believe they are built when you select a photo to view. The lag between seeing slightly fuzzy image and sharp one is supposedly due to 1:1 preview being built.

Now, if you want to build previews for a set of pictures do the following:
1) In Library mode, choose the photos
2) Go to Library/Previews/Build 1:1 Previews


Also note that previews are discarded after some time of non-use. I think default is 30 days. So if you revisit a photo after some months, 1:1 preview needs to be rebuilt.

[Andi Lo]

I believe they are built when you select a photo to view. The lag between seeing slightly fuzzy image and sharp one is supposedly due to 1:1 preview being built.

Now, if you want to build previews for a set of pictures do the following:
1) In Library mode, choose the photos
2) Go to Library/Previews/Build 1:1 Previews


Also note that previews are discarded after some time of non-use. I think default is 30 days. So if you revisit a photo after some months, 1:1 preview needs to be rebuilt.

Thank you that's a very helpful info

[psoo]

This thread addresses my own need to upgrade my current photo processing software. I own a Mac computer and it came with iPhoto for processing my images. I find it easy to use and it satisfies my current needs for processing and making slide DVD's with music. However, nobody seems to talk about iPhoto so I assume it is too primitive for most serious photographers. Is this true? Based on the above comments I think that something like Lightroom would be an ideal upgrade for me. I think it will be more versatile than iPhoto but will it be faster and give better images? Also, how do I transfer my current photos from iPhoto to Lightroom?

[Miguel]

I find it easy to use and it satisfies my current needs for processing and making slide DVD's with music. However, nobody seems to talk about iPhoto so I assume it is too primitive for most serious photographers.

Well, since it meets your current needs, why would you change? It's best to use tools that meet your own specific capabilities and only you know what "serious" really means. Lightroom is a lot more complicated than iPhoto. I've used it since version 1, and think it's the cat's pajamas, but there is a significant learning curve that involves learning both the tool and what the sliders really mean. That may not benefit you, or it may.

Apple will be releasing a new Photos application that will replace both iPhoto and Aperture. Anyone who knows what this software does cannot talk about it, but my guess is that it will be more powerful than iPhoto and not quite as heavy as Lightroom. Plug-in capacity will possibly expand the software's sophistication.

I'd recommend you hold off a couple months and see what Photos is all about.

M

[psoo]

Hi Miguel. thanks for your comments. iPhoto does meet my current needs but I'm always willing to learn additional things that new software offers. I don't want to sit in my own small comfy environment and think I know it all. I hear many people talk about the great things you can do with Photoshop and I think I would like to do more things with my photos than what I do now. That said, I think your advice to hold off to see what Apple comes out with next is a very good idea. Thanks again.

[Vitalii]

If its about photo manipulation, then definetly photoshop.

if its about PP of raw, then Phase one Capture one. best choice for any kind of specialised photography. it even has extendet tempreture range for IR photography, what camera raw and lr definetly dont have.althogh more choises for dynamic range editing.

there is free trial with full possibilities. try it out.

[LensBeginner]

I'd second RawTherapee, and add Photo Mate R2 (it's on Google Play) if you need to look at your photos on an Android device, or develop some of them in a pinch.
I've got very good results with it.

When I'm away from home I always backup my pictures on the SD in my tablet with a USB OTG cable, so that 1. I have another backup and 2. I can watch them on a bigger screen.

[kadajawi]

Just get Lightroom. If you will eventually want to do edits that require a more advanced program, Photoshop will be great of course, or Photoshop Elements. I liked Paint Shop Pro too, it is quite intuitive IIRC, though Photoshop is simply more powerful. GIMP is (or at least was) a usability nightmare, so if possible I'd skip it.