Posted by Bill Chambers on January 24, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Is anyone else using Capture One RAW convertors. I'm currently using Capture One 4, and have been awaiting the release of version 6. It came out in Dec, and looks great, but I'm looking for any personal reviews/opinions before I pony up and upgrade mine. I'm been extremely happy and impressed with its conversion capabilities in the past (tested it against ACR and Nikon Capture NX), but would love to hear any other opinions. Thanks in advance.
I should mention I'm currently using the non-pro version as the previous PRO versions just didn't offer enough extras to warrant purchasing it, but with version 6, it does for me, so the upgrade price of $299 is a little steeper than the usual $69; hence my request for other opinions.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on January 24, 2011 at 9:23 PM
I've been using Capture one for weddings for many years. I bought version LE for $199 and through their generous upgrade program was upgraded to version 4 Pro at no charge.
I really have never used it for landscapes, I prefer to use Nikon's Capture NX, since it is the only program that reads in camera settings for saturation and contrast, it gives me a great starting point and rarely do I have to tweak the resulting image.
That being said I think their market share is very small, at least in the PPA affiliate I belong to, almost everyone uses Lightroom.
Posted by Brad Hill on January 24, 2011 at 9:32 PM
Hi Bill,
I have been using Capture One Pro for years - and recently upgraded to version 6. My primary reason was D7000 compatibility, but I have been very pleased with several of the new features. In particular, they did a very good job of implementing selective editing capabilities - in my opinion it's done much better (and more intuitive) than in Lightroom 3.
BTW: About a month before version 6 came out, I had pretty much decided to switch to Lightroom 3. I HAD been using LR3 for raw conversions of D7000 files and I THOUGHT I was happy with the results - until I installed C1 Pro 6 and converted a few of those same D7000 files again! No comparison. In a few instances (and after a tremendous amount of tweaking) I could get close to the same results using LR3 as I would get in a few clicks with C1 Pro, but more commonly I just could NOT squeeze as much quality out of the raws using LR3.
Feel free to email me if you have specific questions about C1 Pro version 6. But I can say I'm really happy I stuck with C1 Pro.
Cheers...
Brad
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 24, 2011 at 9:50 PM
I haven't used v. 6 yet but my experience is the same as Brad's. Capture One gives wonderful results in very few clicks. Like Brad, I can get there in Lightroom but it takes waaaaaayyyy longer and its not intuitive at all! I think Capture One is a far superior raw converter.
Having said all that, I've made the decision to use Lightroom instead of Capture One because of the cataloging aspects and I have gotten much better at raw conversion in LR than when I started. I really needed to get control of my image collection and Lightroom lets me do that and works fairly seamlessly with PS and Photomatix. If Capture One came out with an all-in-one package similar to Lightroom, I think I would switch back.
Posted by Brad Hill on January 24, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Hey Phillip,
Interesting. Just as an FYI - I now use LR3 for cataloging and image retrieval too, but have "re-integrated" C1 Pro into my workflow with little problem. You definitely CAN use "the best of both" in a reasonably efficient workflow.
LR3 DOES have high quality previews of RAW images (definitely good enough for initial culling and sorting). Capture One 6 purports to have a "full workflow" set of tools now, but it doesn't hold a candle to LR3 in the file management (cataloging, keywording, etc.).
Cheers...
Brad
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 24, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Thanks guys for the opinions and thoughts. I'm seriously thinking about upgrading from v.4 to v.6 PRO. It seems like a reasonable price ($299) for the amount of new features that are now available. I had forgotten I could download a trial version, so I guess I will try that first. Thanks again for your help.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on January 24, 2011 at 10:49 PM
$299? Even for owners of version 4? Yikes! Not really an upgrade price, is it?
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 24, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Rodney, the upgrade price is that high because I am currently using the non-pro version of v.4. If I was using v.4 PRO, the upgrade price would only be $99. The upgrade price from v.4 to v.6 non-pro version is only $69.
Posted by Larry Fischer on January 25, 2011 at 8:14 AM
I AGREE WITH RODNEY. I HAVE ONE 4 AND WOULD EXPECT TO UPGRADE TO 6 WITHOUT PAYING THE FULL PRICE. THOSE BRITS......
I HAVE NOT UPGRADED; I'VE ONLY USE ONE 4 OCCASIONALLY; IT DOES LOOK LIKE ONE 6 DOES A NICE JOB; THEY ARE REALLY PUSHING IT BY SENDING REPEATED EXAMPLES AND THEY DO LOOK INTRIGUING.
THE FISCH
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 25, 2011 at 8:19 AM
Larry - It's not quite the full price, but it is expensive. Full price is $399 US. Also, Germans, not Brits.
Posted by Larry Lynch on January 25, 2011 at 9:53 AM
Well, to add my two bits I have been using 6 pro even since it came out and am delighted with it. In addition the instructions I have been getting weekly have been a wonderful boost and is making me even more dependent on the program. No nits from me as I am sold on it. larry
Posted by Brad Hill on January 25, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Hey Bill,
RE: "Also, Germans, not Brits"
Actually - Danes. Phase One HQ is in Copenhagen and the company is employee-owned. No German ownership or involvement. Historically the gov't of Denmark was a major shareholder, but don't think it is anymore (tho' I could be wrong on that).
Brad
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 26, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Brad,
Ha, learn something every day! I would have sworn it was German. Oh well. I've been trying Capture One 6 Pro under the free trial for a couple of days now. Not as impressed as I thought I would be with a couple of the PRO features, but very impressed with the auto CA correction and purple fringing correction. Also impressed with the Keystone correction. Now I just have to figure out if the PRO version is worth the extra money over the Express version for my usage. Thanks all for your help and opinions.
Discussion
12 repliesI should mention I'm currently using the non-pro version as the previous PRO versions just didn't offer enough extras to warrant purchasing it, but with version 6, it does for me, so the upgrade price of $299 is a little steeper than the usual $69; hence my request for other opinions.
I really have never used it for landscapes, I prefer to use Nikon's Capture NX, since it is the only program that reads in camera settings for saturation and contrast, it gives me a great starting point and rarely do I have to tweak the resulting image.
That being said I think their market share is very small, at least in the PPA affiliate I belong to, almost everyone uses Lightroom.
I have been using Capture One Pro for years - and recently upgraded to version 6. My primary reason was D7000 compatibility, but I have been very pleased with several of the new features. In particular, they did a very good job of implementing selective editing capabilities - in my opinion it's done much better (and more intuitive) than in Lightroom 3.
BTW: About a month before version 6 came out, I had pretty much decided to switch to Lightroom 3. I HAD been using LR3 for raw conversions of D7000 files and I THOUGHT I was happy with the results - until I installed C1 Pro 6 and converted a few of those same D7000 files again! No comparison. In a few instances (and after a tremendous amount of tweaking) I could get close to the same results using LR3 as I would get in a few clicks with C1 Pro, but more commonly I just could NOT squeeze as much quality out of the raws using LR3.
Feel free to email me if you have specific questions about C1 Pro version 6. But I can say I'm really happy I stuck with C1 Pro.
Cheers...
Brad
Having said all that, I've made the decision to use Lightroom instead of Capture One because of the cataloging aspects and I have gotten much better at raw conversion in LR than when I started. I really needed to get control of my image collection and Lightroom lets me do that and works fairly seamlessly with PS and Photomatix. If Capture One came out with an all-in-one package similar to Lightroom, I think I would switch back.
Interesting. Just as an FYI - I now use LR3 for cataloging and image retrieval too, but have "re-integrated" C1 Pro into my workflow with little problem. You definitely CAN use "the best of both" in a reasonably efficient workflow.
LR3 DOES have high quality previews of RAW images (definitely good enough for initial culling and sorting). Capture One 6 purports to have a "full workflow" set of tools now, but it doesn't hold a candle to LR3 in the file management (cataloging, keywording, etc.).
Cheers...
Brad
I HAVE NOT UPGRADED; I'VE ONLY USE ONE 4 OCCASIONALLY; IT DOES LOOK LIKE ONE 6 DOES A NICE JOB; THEY ARE REALLY PUSHING IT BY SENDING REPEATED EXAMPLES AND THEY DO LOOK INTRIGUING.
THE FISCH
RE: "Also, Germans, not Brits"
Actually - Danes. Phase One HQ is in Copenhagen and the company is employee-owned. No German ownership or involvement. Historically the gov't of Denmark was a major shareholder, but don't think it is anymore (tho' I could be wrong on that).
Brad
Ha, learn something every day! I would have sworn it was German. Oh well. I've been trying Capture One 6 Pro under the free trial for a couple of days now. Not as impressed as I thought I would be with a couple of the PRO features, but very impressed with the auto CA correction and purple fringing correction. Also impressed with the Keystone correction. Now I just have to figure out if the PRO version is worth the extra money over the Express version for my usage. Thanks all for your help and opinions.