RobertW Posted January 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just picked up a MacBook, but my desktop is using Windows with Lightroom. I'm looking at the above options to go with the MacBook. The lowest cost solution is Elements and the most expensive is Lightroom. Ignoring the advantages of a smoother interface when using Aperture with iPhoto and Mobile Me, can you give me a simple answer to a difficult question, assuming you are using RAW and a MacBook, which software do you prefer and why? I slapped on the trial versions of Aperture and I guess it does take a bit of time to understand the workflow. Also am trying Elements which is a bit more easier to use for me... Thx Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Hi RobertW, Take a look here M8 & Mac with Elements, Aperture, Lightroom?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
croweatr Posted January 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2009 Hi Rob IMHO, C1 or Iridient Digital's Raw Developer will give you the best output. Elements will always be needed for specialised work on images. Aperture and Lightroom are better for workflow. Aperture's workflow is a little lumpier, but you get better at it with time. I think its output is nicer than that of Lightroom. In the longer term, I may end up moving across to Aperture. If, however, like me, you deal with high volume (500-1000 images per week), then the fastest workflow tool currently available - that I know of - is Lightroom. Just be prepared to take a few shots out to Photoshop for refining, and use C1 or Raw Developer for the files you want to enlarge the most. I hope this helps. Cheers Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2009 Lightroom comes with both Windows and Mac versions doesn't it? Have you tried downloading the Mac Lightroom trial and entering your Windows serial number? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted January 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2009 Hello Rob, I have a Mac Booc as well and in these months had the chance to try several applications to work with on RAW files. I can exlude immediately iPhoto because I had a boring approach with it and IMO is not at all the correct application. I've used Capture One, Lightroom2 and Photoshop and I ended up choosing Lightroom2 to work on my DNG-RAW files and sometimes Photoshop to finish the work (the most easy and handy for some kind of finishing work IMO) and to convert to B&W since I usually follow and/or elaborate on the Gorman method. There are a couple books very well done to teach you how to use LR2 in deep. Hope this helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted January 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2009 Just looked at my LR 2 CD and it says Windows/Mac OSX. So it seems both versions are included on the CD. IF you have the CD version I would think you could install it on both plateforms with the same key. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted January 17, 2009 IF you have the CD version I would think you could install it on both plateforms with the same key. Even without the CD a legit version can be installed by downloading the trial version and entering the CD key - but then if you've got the key, I'd guess you've got the CD anyway. Then again the original poster's version could have been a download of the Window's version, in which case the method I've described will work - Adobe stores the serial numbers of the purchased downloads. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertW Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted January 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks Kevin, Enrico, Steve & Shootist, I am using LR1 on Windows. I'm ok with the results I've been getting on Windows, however, I was wondering if Mac users had a general preference for any of the three, based on the either the RAW conversion, rendering, tools, ease of use or other reasons. The easiest solution would be to go to LR2 (since I've been using LR1) but I wasn't sure if I'd be missing some important features/functionalities in eithe Aperture or Elements. I'm not too sure if I'm up to uisng Capture1, unless there's a noticeable difference between it and the other 3, since I had heard it took a bit of time to understand the work flow. Thx Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted January 17, 2009 Share #8 Posted January 17, 2009 Thanks Kevin, Enrico, Steve & Shootist, I am using LR1 on Windows. I'm ok with the results I've been getting on Windows, however, I was wondering if Mac users had a general preference for any of the three, based on the either the RAW conversion, rendering, tools, ease of use or other reasons. The easiest solution would be to go to LR2 (since I've been using LR1) but I wasn't sure if I'd be missing some important features/functionalities in eithe Aperture or Elements. I'm not too sure if I'm up to uisng Capture1, unless there's a noticeable difference between it and the other 3, since I had heard it took a bit of time to understand the work flow. Thx Rob Well for $99, in the USA, you can upgrade to LR 2, getting the CD version, and install it on both your Windows PC and on the new Mac. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted January 17, 2009 Share #9 Posted January 17, 2009 I'm a Mac user and have been using a combination of PS Elements & Aperture. Recently in another thread on this forum I read about Iridient's RAW DEVELOPER, I downloaded the trail version and was very pleased with the results, have now purchased it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted January 17, 2009 Share #10 Posted January 17, 2009 Capture 1 gives superior results. LR is easier to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry Posted January 17, 2009 Share #11 Posted January 17, 2009 I use Aperture and find that its workflow is logical, smooth and fast. Also, I find Aperture's color output to be accurate and pleasing. For pixel-level editing, I use PSE when necessary. And it's very easy and convenient to switch to PSE from within Aperture. To reduce noise on high-ISO shots, I use the Noise Ninja plugin. I'd suggest downloading trial versions of the various programs to see which one you prefer. Larry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfspencer Posted January 17, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 17, 2009 I'm a Mac user and have been using a combination of PS Elements & Aperture. Same here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted January 17, 2009 Share #13 Posted January 17, 2009 Your free options are: C1LE - came with the camera, among the best for color accuracy in converting RAW LR2 - you already own, the merits discussed above iPhoto - you already own, but not much more than a light table for sorting gimp - free if you have a windows partition under boot camp, parallels, or such, a slow but powerful photoshop clone. The speed discouraged me. PSE - I don't have experience with photoshop express. It appears it has moved to a pay part of Adobe's website. $99 options: PE6 - wonderfully powerful software package. It gives me 80% of what I use CS4 for. $199 options: Aperture - The workflow is very smooth, and I feel I received my money's worth. It's especially fast for proofing photos for further processing in C1 or PS. $399 options: C1PRO - I bought mine at cost from the local camera store. So far I haven't used the "pro" features other than the ability to process in batch, something worthwhile for sure. $699 options: CS4 - yes, this is the grand daddy of them all, and you will eventually wind up here. More capability than I have skill. When I look back at the over $1K spent on software, I really have no regrets. Think of software, PC, profiler, archive, and printers in the context of setting up a color darkroom, and it all seems a bargain. Enjoy! Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted January 17, 2009 Share #14 Posted January 17, 2009 Capture 1 gives superior results. LR is easier to use. That is a opinion, not shared by me. As to those suggesting Aperture and or RAW Developer (which I think is Mac only) that may be well and good for Mac only use but if the OP wants to share catalogs from his Windows PC and the new Mac notebook LR, PS CS3/4 with ACR or C1 is the only option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterP Posted January 18, 2009 Share #15 Posted January 18, 2009 I have been using Lightroom on Mac since beta testing . Although I also have Aperture , I much prefer Lightroom > ease of use , bulk processing and speed . In addition I like to print thumbnails , the quality of print from Lightroom is better and in my opinion truer to my screen color . I also print from Lightroom and find that a much easier task and much more customizable (if that is a word) . The printing of thumbnails immediately rules out C1 . In addtion C1 can only catalog raw , if you edit to TIFF or Jpeg you can catalog in Lightroom and Aperture , C1 would add another app into the mix. I will sometimes edit 1200-1600 (raw) images at a time (sports) , I could not do this quickly in any of the others. You can simply sidegrade with an upgrade to LR2 . I am not sure if the PC serial # will activate a Mac install . Best of luck. PS. I generally will do final edits in Photoshop w/ NIK plugins Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugat Posted January 18, 2009 Share #16 Posted January 18, 2009 If you don't make a living off photography and want to concentrate on pictures, have fun with them, share with friends and family and occasionally print 13x19 or bigger, this is the workflow I arrived at after testing LR2, Aperture2, Elements (24' iMac and new macbook). Import everything into iPhoto. Everything gets organized automatically into Events. Make first selection for family, friends&web/email/iPhone. Work on the pix in iPhoto and share them via email, iWeb , mobileme, CD/DVD, slideshow, apple TV, iPhone... whatever. Very easy, very fast. For more serious work and prints import selected pix into Aperture. Buy plugins: NIK software bundle (great bargain at 199!), Noise Ninja, Genuine Fractals (expensive) or Resize (reasonable), Hydra (HDR automatic tool) and Autopano (automatic panorama stitching and corrections). Import your favorite ICC profiles for prints if you use Canon 9500 or Epson 3800 (I find Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta paper preferable). Now you will have everything you need for enthusiast/aspiring artist work on the Mac. I actually prefer Lightroom interface and workflow, but Aperture is better integrated and has more useful plugins. That decided. Quality on RAW is comparable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj55 Posted January 18, 2009 Share #17 Posted January 18, 2009 I migrated from Windows to the Mac with LR 1 with no trouble (both on the same CD). Now I have upgraded to LR2. I have PE6 as well but find almost no use for it other than to straighten perspectives. Good luck! Arnold Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymc Posted January 18, 2009 Share #18 Posted January 18, 2009 Aperture is (in my experience anyway) better if you need exact color matching - e.g., in some product photography situations; you can get LAB, CMYK, etc color readouts on the loupe, and the color controls are more direct. But Lightroom is quicker, and I find the demosaicing a bit better. Sandy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
positivibes Posted January 18, 2009 Share #19 Posted January 18, 2009 For me, Bridge and Photoshop (with it's RAW Converter) are the best solution. Never understand why i should use lightroom or aperture, since the PS RAW-converter is very good and i can metatag and order my files with bridge. If i'm using a picture for professional things like poster, flyer, books etc., im going to edit it in photoshop anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsens1 Posted January 18, 2009 Share #20 Posted January 18, 2009 When I went from Windows to MAC, I called Adobe and found they'll send a cross platform CD for Photoshop to you for like $99, but you first have to fax them a letter stating you will destroy the other OS version. I assume same would be true for Lightroom. Or, since you can run Windows on a Mac, you could have the windows version running on your Macbook for free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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