Xtrans - OOC Jpegs - Raw - Oh My!

framus wrote:

Along with the recent conversations about the Xtrans sensor files I've revisted some resources that have kept me thinking.

The first is an article and conversation on The Online Photographer Blog: Ken Tanka: Shooting JPEG Instead of Raw. Mr. Tanaka in an accomplished photographer and his www site is worth a visit.

Ken Tanaka's article has become more important to me since getting my X-pro1 and lenses. Prior to using the X-pro1 I was a total all Raw files - all the time adherent (some might say zealot).

The X-trans OOC Jpegs are good enough that I've moderated that perspective. Given that we may, or may not, see improvements in X-trans demosaicing I'm trying to convince myself that I can get by with less than ideal Adobe Raw conversions and live with Jpegs. I'm on the fence with this and am still pondering if I'll purchase any more X-trans related gear if the Adobe Raw conversion doesn't improve.

The resource that furthers my dilemma is Jeff Schewe's excellent book, _The_Digital_Negative_ . This book has reinforced my fondness for the digital darkroom.

I've been using LightRoom since it first became available and have focused on using it as the foundation of my workflow. Inspired by the book I've been experimenting and comparing OOC Jpegs and Raw files converted in LightRoom. The Jpegs are good, often as good as what I can do converting the Raw files. Many Raw files that are converted in LR print very nicely at up to 25cm x 30cm sizes. However ~10% of my LR converted files are compromised by the 'water color' effect. I have a fond hope that the conversion algorithms for Adobe and Aperture evolve and improve.

In the meantime I'm trying hard to love OOC Jpegs.

-Framus