Posted by Jim Casteel on November 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Do any of you guys use RAW converters? I have seen many interesting articles on reasons to use Capture 1, DPP, ACR, and DxO. I have just been using Lightroom which isn't as precise as ACR but has enough of the functionality.
What RAW converters do you use and why?
I may try and pick up Capture 1 because it seems to do magic with landscapes.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 10, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I have just been using Lightroom which isn't as precise as ACR but has enough of the functionality.
I thought the RAW converter in ACR and LR were exactly the same. Can you please elaborate?
Posted by Jim Casteel on November 10, 2009 at 5:45 PM
From what I understand it uses the same guts of ACR but an image can't be tweaked as much in Lightroom as it can in Camera RAW. I could be incorrect in my understanding though. I will look really quick to see what I can find about it.
Posted by Jim Casteel on November 10, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Apparently there was a difference between ACR & Lightroom but it doesn't appear there is any longer.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 10, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Thanks, Jim!
Have you considered giving a trial version of C1 a shot? I'd be real interested in hearing your thoughts and conclusions.
Posted by Phillip Noll on November 10, 2009 at 6:26 PM
I used to use Capture One before Lightroom came out. It's a very nice program but it lacks the DAM features of Lightroom (and the slide shows, and the printing, etc.). When I compare RAW images I've converted using Capture One vs. Lightroom/ACR, the C1 images always come out looking better to my eye. C1 seems to be able to pull out subtle differences in color far more effectively than Lightroom---especially with the warm colors (reds. oranges, yellows). Usually, I can get there in Lightroom but it takes way more effort to get to the same level that C1 spits out with just a few tweaks. I'm getting better with Lightroom and the DAM features are really important to me so I've decided to just go with Lightroom....for now. Its convenient. I haven't tried the latest C1 version yet. I've also heard that DxO does wonders with RAW conversions but I have not tried it personally.
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 11, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Call me old school, but I process in ACR via CS3. My 5Dmk2 files I want to process get some Adobe DNG converter love first, then on over to ACR. I love the C1 for the thousands of sports images I process each event, but was not thrilled with it for landscapes.
Posted by Don Grall on November 11, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Capture One is great, but I like the work flow with ACR and CS3 much better so that is what I use.
Posted by Nat Coalson on November 11, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I also used to use C1 and liked it a lot... before Lightroom.
The key to getting the best possible rendering in Lightroom (or ACR for that matter) is DNG Profiles.
The DNG profiles that Adobe made are very good... but if you use a custom profile for your camera Lightroom will give the best possible rendering.
I've made lots of camera profiles for clients; it's super easy and all it requires an X-Rite Color Checker and the DNG Profile Editor... let me know if you have questions about this.
In the meantime, before you proceed with processing your photo in Lightroom, try the different Profiles first. (And leave all the Camera Calibration sliders at zero.)
Discussion
8 repliesWhat RAW converters do you use and why?
I may try and pick up Capture 1 because it seems to do magic with landscapes.
I thought the RAW converter in ACR and LR were exactly the same. Can you please elaborate?
Have you considered giving a trial version of C1 a shot? I'd be real interested in hearing your thoughts and conclusions.
The key to getting the best possible rendering in Lightroom (or ACR for that matter) is DNG Profiles.
The DNG profiles that Adobe made are very good... but if you use a custom profile for your camera Lightroom will give the best possible rendering.
I've made lots of camera profiles for clients; it's super easy and all it requires an X-Rite Color Checker and the DNG Profile Editor... let me know if you have questions about this.
In the meantime, before you proceed with processing your photo in Lightroom, try the different Profiles first. (And leave all the Camera Calibration sliders at zero.)