Raw Converters

[manyhats]

Having gotten a new camera, I have been looking at raw converters and learning all I can. I thought I would add some helpful links in as reference to others looking for the same, feel free to post more. At the same time would like any comments on converters used by anyone who has any experience with them. Thanks

A review of many different converters
http://www.outbackphoto.com/artofraw/index.html

Free converter by Dave Coffin
http://www.aim-dtp.net/aim/digicam/dcraw/

[Oldthumbs]

Michael, what kind of camera are you using to take your RAW shots? I know that Howard swears by the Nikon RAW converter for the Nikon RAW/NEF files.

Looks like you have some good references there, and a few days worth of reading.

Ray

[manyhats]

Hey Ray!
Congrats again on the new position as Guide!

I am using a D70s. Have had it about 10 days, enjoying it and have been reading all I can about the converters. Not impressed with the software that comes with the D70s, Picture Project.


Have read quite a bit about converters, some of the reviews are old and do not include all of the currently available converters though.

I installed the (free) DCRAW converter last night with the DCRAW2PS and am investigating it now.
So far really pleased with the colors, clarity and sharpness that can be achieved, I have to figure out more about photoshop editing; curves, white balance etc.
Very intrigued by this program and it's ability to ensure long term access to my files regardlesss of proprietory considerations and long term support and technological advances that forget old software. For that reason alone I will keep this one just to ensure my files are readable in 10 years and more pleasantly, reworkable with advanced future software, it leaves the NEF (Nikon's RaW file) untouched when it converts to Photoshop as a PSD (photoshop file).
The user interface DCRAW2PS is quite limited as compared to what I have seen from other programs, developed by someone other than DCRAW to be used with it. It is a simple program with only the necessary measures used before opening (converting) into Photoshop.

I would like to use a couple of other converters, and would first like to see what others, like Howard, have to say. For others benefit as well as mine. Raw seems to be a solid format that will only increase in popularity as folks like ourselves strive to get the "BEST" out of what we shooot. The built in parameters of most cameras today and that would include the D70s (I love it!) are designed to "out of the box" give great snap shots and great jpegs, but after seeing what little I have seen so far, there is MUCH MUCH more to be had from the non "tweaked" RAW data that resides in there.....somewhere!!!!

Thanks for any and all other input on this topic.

Thanks Ray,
Michael

[Oldthumbs]

No, I'm not fond of Picture Project, either. It sits unused on my computer, and I should just uninstall it. However, I use Nikon View for transferring and viewing my RAW images. It works pretty well and I find it useful. It doesn't come with the camera, but you can download it here - http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?goingto=dtc_home

Ray

[Lady Carol]

I am just learning about shooting in RAW but I do not know much beyond the RAW converter RAW Shooter Premium (only cause my hubby uses it). I assume they are all pretty similar...right?

One thing I did notice with this program is that when it is converted to jpeg it changes the colour a little bit. Is this to be expected (I know some info is lost in the process) but I am surprised by that amount of alteration.

[manyhats]

Originally Posted by Lady Carol

I am just learning about shooting in RAW but I do not know much beyond the RAW converter RAW Shooter Premium (only cause my hubby uses it). I assume they are all pretty similar...right?

One thing I did notice with this program is that when it is converted to jpeg it changes the colour a little bit. Is this to be expected (I know some info is lost in the process) but I am surprised by that amount of alteration.

Very new at it myself Carol, I am finding that they are not all the same, and much depends on the settings chosen for the conversion. Some will change the colorspace from Abode RGB to Abobe sRGB, which is a smaller colorspace, unless you tell it otherwise, etc, etc.

I would think though that in your case where the color loss you are experiencing is concerned, you may want to check your settings for JPEG compression and make sure you are getting the Highest Quality and not the Smallest file. I am not familiar with Raw Shooter, perhaps someone else can help here with where those settings can be found, or why you are loosing so much color. I would look for an options / settings tab in PROPERTIES and see if you can find out how your jpeg files are being saved/ compressed.



Michael

[Lady Carol]

Thank you, Michael for this information. I feel that I am really bumbling through learning how to use the converter. Although what I do like about RAW is that being able to easily adjust the high and low points in the photo and in some instances recover bad areas (well within reason).

My hubby suggested the same as you so I will look at that tonight (or preferably get him to look at it).

Thanks again.

[manyhats]

Quite welcome Carol. Glad I could help.
I feel the same way, plus I have a slight Photoshop curve to learn also , fortunately my son (LOL) has helped me a bit there!!

There is so much info out there, so far I have tried Bibble and Dcraw w/ Dcraw2ps. Still investigating both and will probably try a few more: Nikon Capture also has a try it version as well as many more. Most from what I understand have a full version try it for 14-30 days package. So I will look at a few.

Dcraw is just a converter, does not do much more than send them to Photoshop, still raw, only applying camera white balance, if selected and keeps it in RGB instead of converting it to sRgb, if selected, and interpolates as selected; which I like the real RAW feel of that, from there you use photoshop to go forward.
Bibble I have just downloaded a full version try it version( 14 days), it comes up already processed looking unlike Dcraw which comes up dark unprocessed looking. Don't yet know what that means!!! I know Dcraw converts to a 16 bit psd, and I'm not yet sure about Bibble. Bibble has a very nice interface, with lots of tweakability and options right at your finger tips, easy to see and use.

I would like to see some more info from others on the RAW topic, SO DONT BE SHY!! Everyone welcome!

Michael......stil investigating and analyzing RAW CONVERTERS!

[Kevin M]

I have tried most converters and in order of preference mine would be:
Capture One, Silkypix and Photoshop's ACR.

Capture One has the best interface and logical workflow - plus excellent results.
Silkypix form Japan has an awful interface but excellent colour by default.
ACR is convenient because it is a photoshop plugin, fairly nice interface, but I prefer C1's colour.

Choice is a personal preference with converters regarding interface and results, but I think C1 stands head and shoulders over all the others. However, I notice that some of the competition is catching up fast.

Kevin

....

[Oldthumbs]

Photoshop CS2 comes with the RAW converter built into it, not as a plug-in. It is what I have been using for RAW coversions, and I still have a lot to learn. I have a book about RAW and PS CS2 that is very informative - Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2, by Bruce Fraser. If you go the Photoshop route, it might help.

Ray

[manyhats]

Kevin,
I really appreciate the input. All of the reviews and info you can get to read these days make for loads of reading and much GUESSWORK!! Even if it is more "educated" guesswork!
Hearing the comments of other's and their experiences helps to balance out all of the INFO!!!!
Much appreciated and I will check them out. I've heard much buzz about C1, seems to be very popular.
Thanks,
Michael

[manyhats]

Originally Posted by Oldthumbs

Photoshop CS2 comes with the RAW converter built into it, not as a plug-in. It is what I have been using for RAW coversions, and I still have a lot to learn. I have a book about RAW and PS CS2 that is very informative - Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2, by Bruce Fraser. If you go the Photoshop route, it might help.

Ray

Ray,
Excellent info, appreciate you adding it to this post.
I love photoshop, I have 7.0 though. I would love to have CS2 and the book, may look into upgrading after I get a better grip on 7.0.
Michael

[meriadoc]

Photoshop ACR here..

Lady Carol - I see you're an australian in the US too...