Digilux 2 - what software do you use for processing RAW files?

[K I]

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Aperture, Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One Pro, Plug-Ins and all... Use and learn as much as you can, every app has its strength and weaknesses. Personally, it depends on the final look or output which usually determines which app or a combination of apps i use to get what i want.

 

I use them all...

 

KI

[h00ligan]

KI that's a great POV. I hope to learn more about photoshop, lightroom, aperture, and the vast array of plugins in order to fit my needs - thanks for the well stated reminder.

[LuxBob]

I didn't know about the Aperture certification but I am interested, not that I have reached that stage yet. I too am a long time IT pro, very long time but I try not to get religious about systems. Now I also have time for writing and photography and sometimes I even get paid. One of the keys to Aperture is organisation, R W Boyer blogs and writes well on this - RB Design – Aperture – Lightroom – Photography .

When inmporting it helps if you have a project structure, in fact this is key to success. At import I take the time to complete some key metadata, especially keywords. Next I make a pass adding individual metadata, usually refining the keywords and sometimes adding captions. The keywords are important because this auto cross references these images to appear in other projects, e.g. old cars. If it has been a shoot, I select those that I want to show and quickly make any adjustments and so on.

Also key is that editing is non destructive of the master image.

From what I hear LR has its adherents and I am sure that it is also a good chocie - you pay your money (after the freebie) and make that choice.

[John Thawley]

Your first quote is ABSOLUTELY designed to piss me off -

 

Don't flatter yourself.

[K I]

KI that's a great POV. I hope to learn more about photoshop, lightroom, aperture, and the vast array of plugins in order to fit my needs - thanks for the well stated reminder.

 

Thanks Edward... BTW, i just upgraded to Bibble Pro 5 as well as waiting for Lightroom 3 and Aperture X, i am also testing Photoshop CS5 or CS5 apps can't say much yet on this... All will have a place in my workflow. I also have certification in Aperture as well as a slew of Adobe products. I own and run an Adobe training business ( IdeaInteractiveMedia ) and teach some of this stuff too.

 

Its all fun stuff, another reason i love photography, especially Leica.

 

KI

[h00ligan]

oh I do realize I typod grammar as well - the perils of late night typing when up at 4am.

 

KI - people on other forums have really been blasting Bibble - saying they are so far behind now there's no point. Thoughts?

[K I]

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Edward, i haven't read the posts, but i can see why they are being blasted. They simply took too long in releasing 5 and in my opinion initially upon opening 5 and fiddling with it, it isn't that impressive of a major release. I would have to play with it some more with time, i am sure there will be something i can use in the app. Once LR and Aperture X gets released, it could very well validate what they say. I might actually play around with it later on today to see if i feel differently... I do like Bibble for a few things if i needed it though, the third party Plug-Ins are quite nice, it gives you options/looks on images you may not be able to get using other tools.

 

KI

[wilfredo]

I use PSCS4

[lesh]

Mmm got a bit warm there for a bit.

To summarize then............... with the ability to try before you buy it makes sense to do that to find out which solution best fits your working style. In general that means you should certainly consider the 2 offerings which will do almost everything you might need.

I made my choice way back, when Aperture set a hardware requirement I couldn't then meet. Haven't regretted the decision and as they say in other contexts I'd never go back.

Your experience may differ, but use the trials, you'll probably home in quickly on the one which fits you like an old suit.

[John Thawley]

but use the trials, you'll probably home in quickly on the one which fits you like an old suit.

 

Except... usually, old suits don't fit very well. LOL

 

My only advice I would pass on about the "trials"... don't waste your 30 days. These programs do a lot and effect a lot. Clear your head of Photoshop comparisons. While these programs both easily manage the bulk of ordinary photography adjustment tasks (most photographers only dabble in about 15% of Photoshops capabilities), the main reason to choose one or the other is to manage your total photography workflow. A typical shoot for me is 5000 frames over a 2-3 day event. I need to get those images edited, sorted, adjusted and transmitted within 24 hours of the drop of the checkered flag.

 

So, you're object in assessing either program is how it will allow you to create a workflow that you can streamline and replicate. For tough images, you'll still want to roundtrip to Photoshop or some other heavy lifting pixel manipulation tool. But, you'll find 99% of most "darkroom" type work can be done in either LR or Aperture. But you MUST get your head around the workflow aspects.

 

That said, consider the video game logic. An easy game is quickly put away because it's boring. In software tools, the simple and easy to learn programs can often fall short as you grow your needs. One day, you suddenly realize you didn't properly assess your requirements and what you have, falls short.

 

So, easy to learn doesn't necessarily mean good. It could just mean, not enough flexibility.

 

Don't waste your time once you download the trial. The learning curve is tough if you really want to become fluent in your software's language. So, download when you have a good size project you want to work with... put it through it's paces.

 

I can only add from experience, the key I learned with Aperture was that once I knew it inside and out, I could tailor the interface and the workflow to suit MY needs, I didn't have to tailor my workflow to suit the program's needs.

 

JT

[AlbertoDeRoma]

After spending a couple of weeks with Aperture's trial version, I decided to make it official and bought a license.

 

For some reason, the interface just 'clicked' with me (pun intended) and I was able to do everything I wanted to do - and then some - to tune my photos to my liking with a minimum of fuss and very good results.

 

Thank you all for the very valuable input and suggestions.

 

Alberto

[manuelecarlini]

Hi,

I'll only add that if you use the DNG converter for your D2-RAW than you can use most of the software..

 

I'm waiting for a D2 that I bought yesterday from berlin so I hope I'll love it!

 

PS: Mi pare di capire che sei di Roma vero? Anche io!

[AlbertoDeRoma]

Hi,

I'll only add that if you use the DNG converter for your D2-RAW than you can use most of the software..

 

I'm waiting for a D2 that I bought yesterday from berlin so I hope I'll love it!

 

I am sure you'll love it. Give it time. At first, the optical view-finder can be a real turn-off because of its low resolution and very unnatural colors, but after a while - as most people have noted - you forget about it. While I prefer the optical view-finder in my M8, I can't say that the D2's finder has come between me and good pictures.

 

PS: Mi pare di capire che sei di Roma vero? Anche io!

 

Si. So de' Roma. Nato, cresciuto - ma pasciuto in California. The way I see it, I got the best of both worlds - quite literally.

 

Ciao,

 

Alberto

[barnvelder]

After spending a couple of weeks with Aperture's trial version, I decided to make it official and bought a license.

 

For some reason, the interface just 'clicked' with me (pun intended) and I was able to do everything I wanted to do - and then some - to tune my photos to my liking with a minimum of fuss and very good results.

 

Thank you all for the very valuable input and suggestions.

 

Alberto

 

Have been using Aperture for about a year with very good results. Wanted to go a little further than it would allow me so now also using Nik Software plug-ins - Silver EFX pro and Vivesa 2( on trial ). Both work seamlessly with Aperture and allow some more localised tweaking, levels etc. Silver Efx has some great templates for B&W and also reproducing effect of different films. Their control point technology works really well and is neat and intuitive to use. Nik website has some tuition videos which show what can be done...

But not cheap....!!

And usually use JPEGs on DL2.......

[ajthornbury]

The new Paint Shop Pro X3 will read D2 Raw files.