Which RAW processing program?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Ive been using trial version of Lightroom v1.x but they will expire soon and its quite complicated, plus the noise reduction does actually seem to do anything...

So what does everyone else use? And what is best for those who don't have £100s to spend on lightroom?

[Tobyh]

Hi UKWildlifeo

I'm using Lightroom 2 for some and the converter that comes with Photoshop Elements for others.

I must admit that Lightroom is pretty complicated (and resource heavy) but when I want to do alot of tweaking i'll tend to use that. If it's an image that just needs a small amount of process then I'm lazy and will plump for Elements!

I did look into the Nikon NX software but as the demo wouldn't even run for me (said it expired) even after a clean system re-install, I just gave up. I won't be even considering it in future.

*edit to add* - I use NeatImage for noise reduction and although it's really good most times, I'm seriously considering paying for Noise Ninja.

TobyH

[big bill]

Hi I use CS3 and find it very good but as you say you dont have £100`s to spare you could get elements7 which is very good which is just a cut down version of the full Photoshop version .But I believe there are other programs out there no doubt others will be able to help in this as I`m not to sure about them I have used Photoshop for the past 6 years and will not use anything else supposed you get used to a program and stick with it
go tothe post == Free Digital Software at Cameratown.com by Gobbiner and scroll down untill you see Raw shooters essentials 2005 you can try this I remember back trying this out as a freebie when it came with a photography mag its quite easy to use

[welshcameraman]

As I have got a mac I use aperture 2. I find it brilliant. I suppose like anything else you have to learn how to use a system then stick with it. I am looking around for something I can do all the trick things with, like frames and signatures, which aperture doesn't do.....but there's no rush, I need other things much more importantly.

Martin

[Tringa]

I use Silkypix which is free and supports a wide range of cameras.

Have a look at the supported camera list on this - SILKYPIX Developer Studio

Gimp is also good (& free), it will not read the RAW files from my camera(FZ28) but it will read TIFF files, and Silkypix can save in TIFF

[Trik]

Today I downloaded a trial version of DxO Optics Pro Elite v.6 and I think that, once I get used to the controls, it will be very good, especially at recovering blown highlights. I tried Lightroom 2.5, but didn`t like the UI, and decided that I would be paying extra for features that I would never use. DxO is Euros 99, so it is much cheaper than the full version of Lightroom. There is one caveat, however : on my computer, which, admittedly, is not very powerful, it takes 2 mins to process one RAW image, so if you want to batch process a load of images, you`d better have a lot of patience and/or something interesting to do while you wait

Trik

[dunlin]

capture one 4 by phase one is very good. Theres not much you cant do with it and its pretty fast. Im still getting used to it as i haven't had it long but having said that its not been to taxing to learn.
regards mark..........

[Geoff F]

Which camera? Did you get a RAW converter with your camera? Do you have other photo editing software or are you looking for a converter/editing programme?

I mostly shoot RAW and use Serif Photo Plus for editing; the latest version (X3) has it's own inbuilt converter. While this converter may not be top of the 'money no object' range it is ample for most users and relatively simply to use.

You should be able to get the X3 version for around £50 if you don't take the optional 'How to edit photos' book; although it does make an interesting read.

[Keith Talbot]

Im A Canon user so i use thier DPP software then PS, a bit of a pain using 2 progs but cheap

[tristanba]

I use Breezebrowser and find it gives excellent results and is easy to use. I also have Canon cameras