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Let me first apologize for asking the question that probably had been asked and answered a gadzillion times; I have read many threads but still cannot find a definitive answer. Second, let me thank all those who can find the patience and goodness to answer.

 

What is the best software to ride shotgun with Photoshop --> Capture One, Lightroom or Aperture?

 

Thanks in advance for all your comments.

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Capture one is mainly a RAW processor, but, imo, mandatory for optimal quality of both Leica and DMR files (yeah-yeah, I know about Flexcolour ;)).

So my preferred workflow is: C1, export to CS4 for postprocessing.

But you'll get a host of different answers...:(

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Has anyone done any straight 'AB' comparisons between the various RAW converters? You know, take the same RAW image and convert using for example Aperture, ACR, C1, Lightroom etc.

 

It would be an interesting exercise. If not maybe I'll try it when I get the M8 next week.

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Yes- there was an ACR-C1 comparison in LFI about 18 months ago.

C1 had more detail and better colour, ACR the easier interface. Now that C1 has gone over to the "Lightroom-look" interface and has made their conversion even - considerably- better, there is much to be said for the C1 4.8.1 as the converter of choice.

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Has anyone done any straight 'AB' comparisons between the various RAW converters? You know, take the same RAW image and convert using for example Aperture, ACR, C1, Lightroom etc.

 

It would be an interesting exercise. If not maybe I'll try it when I get the M8 next week.

A lot of us have done it.

It helps to outline a goal of what you want in image quality, then it's easier to find the RAW converter that get's you most of what you want.

 

If you test without a goal, then you will just get confused.

 

H

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Yes- there was an ACR-C1 comparison in LFI about 18 months ago.

C1 had more detail and better colour, ACR the easier interface. Now that C1 has gone over to the "Lightroom-look" interface and has made their conversion even - considerably- better, there is much to be said for the C1 4.8.1 as the converter of choice.

 

I read the article, I just wondered if things had moved on since then. What about Aperture? I would favour the converter which extracts the most detail - well after splashing out on an M8 and that expensive Leica glass it would be mad not to!

 

A lot of us have done it.

It helps to outline a goal of what you want in image quality, then it's easier to find the RAW converter that get's you most of what you want.

 

If you test without a goal, then you will just get confused.

 

H

 

Firstly I am mostly confused anyway!

 

Personally, I would always be looking for the best image quality from PP which means for me getting it right 'in camera' (focus, DOF, exposure) and then not losing any of this during PP. I'm not a big fan of excessive PP.

 

I can see me doing my own tests for RAW converters, sharpening (I use Photokit via PS3 at present) and of course exposure/dynamic range - I like to know my camera well so I can get the best out of it and I am expecting exposure with the M8 to throw me some challenges in initially. I'm guessing that I'll need less PP sharpening than I typically use with the D2x?

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OK, here we go again :p

 

You'll typically find that we all have our favourite program. In the end you'll just have to make a choice and stick with it for a longer period. Otherwise you keep on trying and fiddling and will never get to grips with what it's all about: a good post processed photo. Only if you understand the basics (I don't know where you are on the digital learning curve) can you spot the differences between one program and the other.

 

A thought about Lightroom: the RAW engine is actually the same as Photoshop. LR is a very handy first processing tool and CS can be used for detailed work.

 

Aperture uses a different engine, but in effect does the same as LR.

 

C1 is somewhat like LR, but, and Jaap and others will confirm this, has a very good RAW engine under the hood.

 

Some more things you'll find searching through the forum:

- aperture is slow on most machines

- C1 needs some getting used to interface wise

 

Have fun!

 

Marco

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I can see me doing my own tests for RAW converters, sharpening (I use Photokit via PS3 at present) and of course exposure/dynamic range - I like to know my camera well so I can get the best out of it and I am expecting exposure with the M8 to throw me some challenges in initially. I'm guessing that I'll need less PP sharpening than I typically use with the D2x?

I don't know, this will probably change from image to image with the change in lighting and contrast.

 

Do you have any fast lenses?

Maybe you can help me in my thread about the noise "veil" in out of phocus areas? my question is if it's comon to see this veil when shooting at f-stop 1.4?

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I don't know, this will probably change from image to image with the change in lighting and contrast.

 

Do you have any fast lenses?

Maybe you can help me in my thread about the noise "veil" in out of phocus areas? my question is if it's comon to see this veil when shooting at f-stop 1.4?

 

I am possibly not the best one to advise on this as I am still M8-less until next week! I would suggest you post the image here. As a general rule though in my experience, OOF areas can show up more noise, particularly if they show areas of even colour, particularly darker colour and of course in areas that are underexposed.

 

I have fast lenses (f1.4) with my D2x but with the new M8 I will have only the 35 cron (f2) initially.

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I am possibly not the best one to advise on this as I am still M8-less until next week! I would suggest you post the image here. As a general rule though in my experience, OOF areas can show up more noise, particularly if they show areas of even colour, particularly darker colour and of course in areas that are underexposed.

 

I have fast lenses (f1.4) with my D2x but with the new M8 I will have only the 35 cron (f2) initially.

 

Thanks, the image is a bit underexposed and the OOF area is an even shade of white, so this might be a part of the problem.

What do you do in PS to get rid of this, just noise removal?

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Thanks, the image is a bit underexposed and the OOF area is an even shade of white, so this might be a part of the problem.

What do you do in PS to get rid of this, just noise removal?

 

Mostly but you I'd focus the NR on those areas worse affected. Also, if I sharpen I tend not to sharpen OOF areas which can throw up artifacts if sharpened. As always, exposure is critical and best sorted 'in camera'. Hope this helps.

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OK, here we go again :p

 

You'll typically find that we all have our favourite program. In the end you'll just have to make a choice and stick with it for a longer period. Otherwise you keep on trying and fiddling and will never get to grips with what it's all about: a good post processed photo. Only if you understand the basics (I don't know where you are on the digital learning curve) can you spot the differences between one program and the other.

 

A thought about Lightroom: the RAW engine is actually the same as Photoshop. LR is a very handy first processing tool and CS can be used for detailed work.

 

Aperture uses a different engine, but in effect does the same as LR.

 

C1 is somewhat like LR, but, and Jaap and others will confirm this, has a very good RAW engine under the hood.

 

Some more things you'll find searching through the forum:

- aperture is slow on most machines

- C1 needs some getting used to interface wise

 

Have fun!

 

Marco

 

I'm not a professional photographer but I have been using Photoshop for over 15 years (when I was err... 5? Hehe). I remember the good old days when we had to create simple effects like a proper emboss using the custom and offset features! In the past few years, I have laid off the heavy duty photoshopping work to the young and adventurous, while I concentrated on more difficult tasks like finger-pointing and tongue-lashing.

 

Anyway, never felt that I needed anything other than PS until the past year, when I began to notice Aperture and Lightroom and Capture One; they all made quite compelling cases. I have been using Aperture for organization, PS for any editing that I need to do, don't own Lightroom and don't think I'll be getting it and didn't consider Capture One though from the remarks, I should certainly load it and give it a whirl! :)

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I don't know, this will probably change from image to image with the change in lighting and contrast.

 

Do you have any fast lenses?

Maybe you can help me in my thread about the noise "veil" in out of phocus areas? my question is if it's comon to see this veil when shooting at f-stop 1.4?

No. But it may be, as it is your widest aperture, that you have a tendency to underexpose. That would bring out quite a bit of noise.

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