Raw Convertor, which do you use?

[russj1975]

Just wondered what people's experiences were like with the various Raw convertors available.

I have always used Capture one LE, but since waiting for their Version 4 (still in beta which doesn't work) I've been trying Adobe Lightroom, which i'm growing to like it has to be said.

[mh68]

Lightroom for me too russ, cant fault it

Mark H

[Tormentil]

I use Adobes Camera Raw plugin.

[DuncanE]

At the moment I use the Adobe RAW converter with elements 4, but after trying lightroom I want it. Trying to justify to my wife why I need it is a little harder! maybe in the new year I'll get it.

[nightshade]

I love lightroom(only tried the free version)my mate says you cannot lose an image and it is so user friendly with a none destructive editing system,
editing tools are said to be better than CS3!

[mh68]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I love lightroom(only tried the free version)my mate says you cannot lose an image and it is so user friendly with a none destructive editing system,
editing tools are said to be better than CS3!

Yep thats right, images are copied into Lightrooms own library so any editing work is done to the copy not the original....I`ve found the sharpening in particular very effective too,you can add a lot more sharpening to an image prior to resizing/exporting without aliasing of fine details and edges.

Mark H

[russj1975]

The non destructive aspect of lightroom is probably based on the adjustment layer principle in Photoshop. Of course, working with raw files will always be non destructive, whatever the software. Its quite clever that you can do the same things with jpegs, albeit with not the same resulting quality, as you can with raw files

[Sophia]

I was using the Canon software that comes with the camera. But today I've downloaded the Photoshop RAW plugin for CS2 and it works a treat.

[Bushcraft]

I use PS and it serves me well. My jammy friend has elements and downloaded an update for that and got PS3 recently! It's alright for some!

Kris

[Chris_Johnstone]

I use Lightroom and I find it excellent. It has a file system, RAW conversion functions and everything else you'd expect all build in. It's also useful for resizing images when coming to print using the export function.

Been meaning to get a handle on Aperture at some point.

Chris

[pressld2]

As a registered user of Pixmantec's RawShooter Premium, I got Lightroom for free (Adobe bought out Pixmantec).

At first I was rather irritated at having to learn a new package after the time it had taken me to get to grips with RawShooter, but now I really like Lightroom. Last night and this morning I've been playing with the Web module. It's a lot easier than writing your own html!

Dave P.

[mh68]

I`ve just been printing some A4s via lightroom for the first time tonight, and while it takes a while to get everything set up right, the results are superb.The preset function means it just takes one click to return to the settings you need, and youre printing from a rendered Raw file,not a converted copy, so quality is as good as you can get

Mark H

[big bill]

I use Photoshop CS2 for raw conversions and cannot fault it updates readily available if you update camera system

[GerryNick2]

Have been using Lightroom since Beta 1 and now the only raw converter I use as it meets all my needs. As a point of interest in a recent poll on raw convertors it transpired that 28% used Photoshop and 22% Lightroom, Capture One came in next at 7%.

Gerry

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by big bill

I use Photoshop CS2 for raw conversions and cannot fault it updates readily available if you update camera system

Same here, but I also sometimes use the software programme that came with the camera - Sony Image Data Converter SR but it's slower than CS2.

[mille19]

Lightrooms the only one for me.
I only use it as a converter if I'm going to post might photos on the WWW, you can print from Lightroom so why convert?
Hard drive are cheap nowadays (I saw an external 160gig for £55 in Aldi today) and I dont get that many keepers anyway.

[Leif]

As a Nikon user I stick to Nikon Capture as it gives the best results. Others I have tried do not give correct colours.

[russj1975]

I think i am totaly won over by lightroom now after being a loyal Capture One user. The functionality of this software really is exceptional, and the image quality is also of a very high order.

[colincurry]

I have Lightroom and have dabbled a little. It is supposed to be intuitive but I still have trouble finding my way around. Can anyone please recommend a good book on the subject, please?

Thanks

Colin

[mh68]

Not a book Colin but these may help a little.....

Lightoom tutorial videos

Mark H

[colincurry]

Thanks Mark - another helpful post - roll on 2000. I have justg reached a half century and never believed that I would do so.

Colin

[mh68]

No problem Colin, theyre very good tutorials so should help

Mark H

[John D]

Originally Posted by Leif

As a Nikon user I stick to Nikon Capture as it gives the best results. Others I have tried do not give correct colours.

As a matter of interest how do you confirm/determine correct colours?
John D

[mh68]

Originally Posted by colincurry

I have Lightroom and have dabbled a little. It is supposed to be intuitive but I still have trouble finding my way around. Can anyone please recommend a good book on the subject, please?

Thanks

Colin

Found this book Colin-

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby

and this one....

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers by Martin Evening

You should find both easily with a google search

Mark H

[colincurry]

Thanks again, Mark

Colin