Raw conversions Lightroom vs Photoshop

[chuckw]

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OK, I'm one of the unfortunate few who used the Lightroom license received with my M9 to download LR v2 rather than wait a couple of months and download LR v3. I, of course, realize that I could upgrade through Adobe but I am wondering if it is worth it?

 

I have used Photoshop for a long time and have the current version - CS5. As I understand it the raw conversion engine in Photoshop CS5 is essentially the same as the one in LR v3, is that correct? If that is true there would be no advantage to me in upgrading to LR 3 for purposes of raw conversion.

 

For those who use, of have used, both Photoshop and Lightroom are there any must have features in LR 3 that make it worthwhile to use both programs?

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[cocker]

Chuck. I have LR3 and CS5. If I'm doing raw processing I prefer to use CS5 as I think the Camera Raw interface is cleaner, easier and more subtle to use than the Develop Interface in LR3 - but as far as I am aware they are using the same "engine".

[01af]

As I understand it the raw conversion engine in Photoshop CS5 is essentially the same as the one in LR v3, is that correct?

Yes, that's correct.

 

Upgrading from LR 2 to LR 3 would give you nothing, technically, that you don't have in Photoshop CS5 + Camera Raw 6 already, as far as the raw conversion is concerned. However having LR 3 would save you from switching from LR to PS and back over and over, so in the end you may want to upgrade to LR 3 for workflow reasons.

[chuckw]

Thanks for the replies, and for confirming what I thought to be the case - that Lightroom's RAW development features are essentially the same as those available in Photoshop. I think that I may just stick with PS.

 

While I didn't mention it previously, I also have a copy of Capture One so I do have an alternative raw development program available to me.

[johnwolf]

Chuck,

 

In terms of raw conversion, as said above, there is no difference. Same engine, different interface.

 

But you might want to at least try the LR trial. While I can't think of any "must haves" over PS, all the little "nice to haves" add up to a pretty good image management, RAW conversion, workflow, and editing experience. Sometimes I think I'll simplify and go back to PS only, but I'm always drawn back to LR, I think by its completeness and simplicity.

 

John

[Jeff S]

As mentioned, the LR3 trial is free, so nothing to lose by exploring new features.

 

Jeff

[wda]

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The unique feature in Lightroom, compared with CS4/5, is its digital asset management (DAM) feature which is now very useful for cataloguing and finding images. I once used iView Media Pro but dropped it when Microsoft bought the programme and spoiled its progression. At the time LR1 was a poor substitute for the DAM function; not now. I only use PS CS4 for the more complicated image processing tasks.