What software to work with RAW files?

dandantheadminman

hey yall

I'll be shooting in raw on a D50 in a couple of weeks or so, and need some software to deal with RAW files.

After looking through the magazines, they said you should use the same manaufactur raw package as body, so, I thought it would make sense to get Nikon Capture NX.

Is this any good? are there any others to look at (bear in mind I have a PC, NOT mac)? money isnt a issue as Ill probs download it

thnx for ya help

Hamish · Forum Veteran Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 1011

I HATE capture NX but I'm sure that other's will be on here who love it. It's very slow, crashes a lot and has a dreadful user interface. The user interface may not be much of a problem if you're not used to any others. Some people love the control points in NX but I don't like them personally. I prefer Capture 4.4 which had the function to convert to TIFF and export to photoshop automatically, which NX lacks. Capture 4.4 is slow as well. Some people say that they wouldn't buy a camera from Adobe and wouldn't buy software from Nikon and I can't see too much to make me disagree with that statement.

Capture one is good for speed and more intuitive and gives good colours. Adobe lightroom beta is out for free and has good reports but I've not tried it myself. It's based around RawShooter Essentials which is another good converter. Lots of people use Bibble which also has good reviews.

I use Adobe Camera RAW as I find it is quick and easy and you can export files straight to photoshop, which is good if you're already used to it. It doesn't apply the incamera settings, like Nikon's software but that's not a problem for me as I'm used to working with it.

I'd suggest that you download the trial versions for whatever you're interested in, have a play and see what suits you best.
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Hamish

duncan_g · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject:

I bought a digial photo mag once and it came with a free CD. On it, it had loads about shooting and editing in RAW files. They used Raw shooter essentials and it looked fast and easy to use.

Hamish · Forum Veteran Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 1011

RAW Shooter Essentianls is a good, fast programme. Some people moan about the fine image quality - e.g. fur/hair. Adobe bought the engine for this for Lightroom and a lot of people were sad to see that.
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Hamish

Roo · Forum Master Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 442

I've had a go with RAW loads of times, using RAWshooter essentials, Paintshop pro and Bibble to convert and I'm not really a fan of any of them or RAW. OK, good for studio stuff and possibly landscapes, but when I'm out shooting riding, even for a mag, on camera JPEG is the one for me.

fozzybear · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject:

I use CS2 but you have to be aware that you need RAW upgrade to 3.5..
I prefer CS2 over PS as i'm not that PS minded... I use PC's all day but I look at PS / CS2 and i'm totally confused..

dandantheadminman · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

ok, i guess ill try a few trials and see what i like
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mikedeere · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject:

I've become a big fan of the Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Bridge combination. Very powerful and very fast workflow very easily.

Make sure you get the update for RAW imports.

Hamish · Forum Veteran Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 1011

Mike - Have you calibrated ACR at all? I've heard it can make a singnificant difference but haven't got around to getting a colour chart yet.
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Hamish

bluebomberx · Quite High User Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 134

If you are on an an Apple platform, Aperture kicks ass. Lightroom isn't bad either, but I prefer Aperture.

dmrssnap · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:34 am Post subject:

I use the included raw converter with CS2, youll have to download the plugin so it works with nikon raw but other than that its real good and links nicly with bridge and photoshop.

Or if your doing less manipulation of working through loads of shots try lightroom

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