Twilight Posted August 30, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since RAW developing software is continuously evolving I would like to know what is currently the best software for M9/ME files. (I know a lot has been written before but major players have evolved in there software and profiles). I use LR5 with the M9 profile but sometimes still find it difficult to get the right colors. I like LR a lot for is interface and file management. However maybe Capture 1 pro 7 or maybe Photo ninja do a better job? (PS with my Nikon I also prefer Capturne NX2 over LR). Thanks Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Hi Twilight, Take a look here best RAW developer for M9 at the moment. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
plewislambert Posted August 30, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 30, 2013 It's a very interesting question. I have been using Pshop Elements 10 but have just started to learn Lightroom in the hope of getting improved results. Are there plug-ins that members have used to get improvements? Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 30, 2013 Share #3 Posted August 30, 2013 I use Lightroom 5 with the M9 profile but sometimes still find it difficult to get the right colors. Lightroom (and Camera Raw) have very good algorithms for demosaicing, adjustments, and corrections, but their profiles for the digital Leica M cameras just suck. Fortunately, it isn't too hard to make your own profiles and use those instead. For M9, M9-P, and M-E, try these settings as a starting point: Pick a fresh DNG image file which has no settings applied yet (or if it has, delete the settings). In the Camera Calibration tab, select the existing profile "Embedded" and then adjust the colour primary values as follows: Red hue: +15 Red sat: -15 Green hue: 0 Green sat: -5 Blue hue: -15 Blue sat: -25 In the Basic Settings tab, reduce the global saturation to taste; I'd suggest -5 or -10. Save these setting as the new standard settings for M9 Digital Camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted August 30, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 30, 2013 Hi Olaf, I quite like this profile but how do I save these as the new standard settings for Leica M9 in LR and ACR? Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 30, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 30, 2013 I would say the best colours are from Capture One pro. As for Lightroom and Photoshop (Elements) the raw converting engine is identical, so you are not going to see a spectacular difference in colour. There are some advantages in Lightroom, but the main difference is the interface. Whatever postprocessing program you are using, it is wise to read up on them. For Adobe products the books by Scott Kelby are advisable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted August 30, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 30, 2013 I haven't found anything I like as much as the Huelight profiles for LR. Best $10 I've spent in a while. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted August 30, 2013 Share #7 Posted August 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think photo ninja and acdsee pro 6 are not getting the attention they deserve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted August 30, 2013 I would say the best colours are from Capture One pro. I do not know the software very well. Do you apply any special algoritm to depart from (like others suggest doing in LR)? Is it mainly better colors or are there other important benefits to C1 pro (or drawbacks) - especially conecrning image quality and workflow to print? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaBraz Posted August 30, 2013 Share #9 Posted August 30, 2013 Mark P: under the "Develop" tab, go to "New Preset", give it a name and save. Of curse once the new settings you have chosen are in use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 30, 2013 Share #10 Posted August 30, 2013 The raw devloper algorithms are very good, it seems to squeeze just that bit more resolution from the files and the colour controls are excellent and very elaborate. It is software you either like or hate, I find it very intuitive (except for the library function) but others dislike the interface. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted August 30, 2013 I think photo ninja and acdsee pro 6 are not getting the attention they deserve. Please share your experience with them and the M9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted August 31, 2013 Share #12 Posted August 31, 2013 Please share your experience with them and the M9 Not much to say really. I downloaded the trial versions a while back, and I was pleasantly surprised by the better color profiles and demosaicing algorithms than LR. however, having used ACR for many years, it's too difficult for me to change so I ended up not purchasing any. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
120 Posted September 1, 2013 Share #13 Posted September 1, 2013 The raw devloper algorithms are very good, it seems to squeeze just that bit more resolution from the files and the colour controls are excellent and very elaborate. It is software you either like or hate, I find it very intuitive (except for the library function) but others dislike the interface. I agree with the wise owl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsie Posted September 1, 2013 Share #14 Posted September 1, 2013 The raw devloper algorithms are very good, it seems to squeeze just that bit more resolution from the files and the colour controls are excellent and very elaborate. It is software you either like or hate, I find it very intuitive (except for the library function) but others dislike the interface. +1. I'm back to capture one after playing around with LR while waiting for monochrom support. LR is very good, but I just favour capture one on balance, not just for the pure processing power but also the ability to customise the interface and work the way you want to. I guess it's that Danish form! I wish they had proper side by side soft-proofing, although I've discovered how to make this a bit easier using a profile recipe. Luminous landscapes is about to launch a further set of video tutorials which will be great in terms of getting further guidance on this software from some experts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart D Posted September 2, 2013 Share #15 Posted September 2, 2013 I quite like DxO Optics. I have been using it since I started with digital in 2007. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Posted September 2, 2013 Share #16 Posted September 2, 2013 The latest version of Photo Ninja (http://www.picturecode.com) literally mops the floor with Lightroom in many respects (demosaicing, noise reduction, sharpening and clarity algorithms, exposure adjustment, chrom.aberration, b/w conversion) while still requiring significant development work in other areas (local adjustments, performance). The standalone version is accompanied by a Photoshop plugin which can replace ACR for opening raw files. I find it practical for this purpose alone since I'm sticking with CS5, for which ACR is no longer being updated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charby57 Posted September 15, 2013 Share #17 Posted September 15, 2013 I have switched back to Capture One since the release of v.7. Lightroom Is certainly à very capable software but the skin tone on m9 files Is not à pleasant one, at least to my eyes. Since we can process the Monochrom files as well, then it became my standard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woorob Posted September 16, 2013 Share #18 Posted September 16, 2013 I've had the best experience creating my own color profiles in LR5 using the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport and supplied software. This is by Pantone, they really know pro color well. Easy to set up as well. They have helpful tutorials; try a Google search and check it out! Bob Woods Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted September 19, 2013 Is there anyone using the cheaper capture one express (or photo ninja) followed by lightroom the workflow? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycym Posted September 21, 2013 Share #20 Posted September 21, 2013 I quite like DxO Optics. I have been using it since I started with digital in 2007. I agree and it just keeps on getting better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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