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All around best RAW converter for Leica M DNG files?


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As an Apple iMac user who had been very satisfied, until recently, processing my RAW files with Capture One, I am now in search of a different software.  The recent trial upgrade I selected for the newest Capture One Pro 10 program has caused my computer to loss access to all of my changes to my image files I had previously adjusted with the previous software program (Capture One 9.3), which had been working fine. The new trial program is a huge memory drain on my iMac and the trial program locks up and won't run, and, I also can't return back to the earlier version of my catalog files and use my original software program.  I've had this problem occur once or twice before with Capture One upgrades.  Now I'm ready to explore another program and stop using capture One.

 

I want a software to enable me to do RAW image editing only.  I don't venture into video, and I don't need Photoshop type graphics capabilities.  I just want to sharpen, adjust exposure and curves, crop, level, adjust contrast and saturation, etc., and then convert the best images into JPEGs.  I am less enthusiastic about going to a monthly fee type subscription program such as Adobe Lightroom.

 

I have found a number of alternate RAW converter programs, copied below, and would be interested if there is any agreement about any leading options. Thanks in advance for all comments.

 

AcdSee MacPro 3

Dxo Optics Pro 10

Corel Aftershot Pro 2

MacPhun Creative Kit 2016

RawTherapee

Capture One

Serif Affinity Photo

Iridient Developer

Photoshop Elements 14

Snapheal

Apple Photos

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC

Raw Photo Processor

GIMP (with built-in UFRaw)

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For me there is only one program that I use routinely, and that is Photoshop CC with the occasional sidestep to C1 9, and Lightroom CC which came for free with PS anyway, but it took me years of study to use Photoshop properly and I am still learning.

DXO is not bad either, but I suspect that Capture One gives the best texture and certainly the best colours.

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When you updated to Capture One 10 your version 9.3 catalog would have been backed up in the folder Capture One Backups (on a Windows system, should be similar on a Mac).  You ought to be able to run 9.3 with that catalog which would have all your previous adjustments.

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Try Luke's solution first. If after that you're still looking for another program, Lightroom is available as a perpetual license (stand-alone) as well as the monthly subscription model. The former has worked better for me. The last two upgrades (to versions 5 and 6) cost $80 apiece, about two years apart - I'm not what's referred to as an early adopter.

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When you updated to Capture One 10 your version 9.3 catalog would have been backed up in the folder Capture One Backups (on a Windows system, should be similar on a Mac).  You ought to be able to run 9.3 with that catalog which would have all your previous adjustments.

Thanks.  Capture One's tech support sent me a web link to some instructions for salvaging my back-up catalog, and restore version 9.3 to work correctly. However, I am  unable to successfully complete all of the instructions to that web link to help me get 100% through the process. I remain unable to open Pro 9.3, and, the trial Pro 10 sucks so much memory that it freezes my computer. In short, both 9.3 and the new 10 won't run for me.

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  • 2 months later...

As an Apple iMac user who had been very satisfied, until recently, processing my RAW files with Capture One, I am now in search of a different software.  The recent trial upgrade I selected for the newest Capture One Pro 10 program has caused my computer to loss access to all of my changes to my image files I had previously adjusted with the previous software program (Capture One 9.3), which had been working fine. The new trial program is a huge memory drain on my iMac and the trial program locks up and won't run, and, I also can't return back to the earlier version of my catalog files and use my original software program.  I've had this problem occur once or twice before with Capture One upgrades.  Now I'm ready to explore another program and stop using capture One.

 

I want a software to enable me to do RAW image editing only.  I don't venture into video, and I don't need Photoshop type graphics capabilities.  I just want to sharpen, adjust exposure and curves, crop, level, adjust contrast and saturation, etc., and then convert the best images into JPEGs.  I am less enthusiastic about going to a monthly fee type subscription program such as Adobe Lightroom.

 

I have found a number of alternate RAW converter programs, copied below, and would be interested if there is any agreement about any leading options. Thanks in advance for all comments.

 

AcdSee MacPro 3

Dxo Optics Pro 10

Corel Aftershot Pro 2

MacPhun Creative Kit 2016

RawTherapee

Capture One

Serif Affinity Photo

Iridient Developer

Photoshop Elements 14

Snapheal

Apple Photos

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC

Raw Photo Processor

GIMP (with built-in UFRaw)

what camera are you using? CCD or CMOS ?... or did I miss that ?

Edited by Mark Ebert
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I have x rather than M and of those I have tried :

 

Dxo Optics Pro 10

RawTherapee

Capture One

Iridient Developer

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC - ACR

Raw Photo Processor

 

 

The ones I use are Adobe Camera Raw and Iridient Developer. I wouldn't give up ACR for ID but enjoy them both in different ways. 

 

I've attached some iridient screengrabs so you can see the sort of options you have editing. It is a basic sort of editor. Less scope for jiggery pokery or presets (there's no cloning/healing brush or adjustment brush). The only thing that I really miss is that it doesn't have the sort of HSL stuff that adobe has. So for example if you want to change the hue of blues or increase their saturation or something like that it isn't as simple as adobe when you just move those sliders. But otherwise I really like the output and intuitive, simple workflow. 

 

screen2_zpsa9xi4mig.jpg

 

screen1_zpsrbenmokk.jpg

 

screen3_zpsuoog2di8.jpg

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