which would be the best raw processor for the XE-1?

I meant the best on getting the best result out of the image among the photo editors right now?

There are two factors that are in play:

1. Conversion quality

2. Overall workflow

Right now Capture One 7.0.2 is a good compromise. I use C1 as a raw pre-processor fro lightroom. But if you want to save money then the free Fuji Raw Converter is not that bad either.

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Editor of Digital Outback Photo
http://www.outbackphoto.net/
Lightroom: http://www.outbackphoto.net/lightroom/

I think CaptureOne gives the best image quality right now, but at $300, it is also one of the more expensive options. It handles fine details better than Adobe products and handles highlights & shadows better than RFC/DSP5. Raw converters based on DCRAW produce too many artifacts.

If you are looking for the best value, then the in-camera processor is free and creates jpegs nearly as good as CaptureOne can create. But, if you later decide to use different settings, the process of loading the images back on the card and processing in camera is very time consuming. JPEGs can also have limited latitude for other post processing.

RPP and Accuraw (beta) are reported to do a decent job, but these only run on Mac.

I am currently using CaptureOne on a 60-day trial. I am hoping that by the end of the trial, either the price comes down or another option comes available. It is difficult to justify paying $300 for CaptureOne, when Lightroom costs only $150.

SilkyPix v5 Pro (that is not v3 that Fuji ships) = http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/download.html

> It is difficult to justify paying $300 for CaptureOne, when Lightroom costs only $150.

There is hope also that LR4 will improve.

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Editor of Digital Outback Photo
http://www.outbackphoto.net/
Lightroom: http://www.outbackphoto.net/lightroom/

Silkypix/RFC that comes with the camera, then whatever editor you want, that handless TIFF files.

thank you all for your answers.

Another possibility is Capture One Express. It is only $99 and should include the X-trans conversions soon, but hopefully will be upgraded to version 7 since version 6 is over two years old. I am waiting to see if that happens. I would do the basics of raw conversion then open in Photoshop to finish off which is what I always do, plus I could use my plugins, like Topaz and Nik Viveza. Topaz Denoise has the best noise reduction and i prefer to do selective adjustments on layers.

Anyway, it doesnt exist yet, neither does Accuraw which I want to test out once it is finished. Right not i am shooting jpeg and can see doing that for 90% or more of my fuji pictures

You can test AccuRaw right now: https://sites.google.com/site/accuraw/beta-download

I have spent a great deal of time trying different optiions. C1 does a good job and has good micro co trast, but as another memeber has mentioned, LR does a better job with highlights.

Depending  on the subject, LR does a decent job with sharpening 150 radius .6 detail 0 masking 0. That seems to work just fine untkl they get the bugs worked out arou d foliage.

However, the best results i have been able to achieve came from exporting RAF files from the bundled Silkypix to 16bit TIF without any adjustments except 100% unsharp mask in development parameters. It works fast. Then import your TIF files into lightroom where you will have exposure latitude similar to what you get with RAF and further sharpening can be done in LR if needed without causing watercolor effect.

It is a work around but it does work and works well.

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Regards,
David
www.photographybydmichael.com

I wonder if you have tried exporting linear DNG files from AccuRaw with all parameters 'zero'd' (essentially only demosaicing) and then importing into LR/PS.

Thanks. I had thought Beta was closed. Anyway, I just tried it but it will not work on my computer. It seems that it needs at least 10.7 Lion to work and I am still using 10.6 Snow Leopard.

I believe it is a free upgrade to mt. Lion, but it will do some funny things to your computer. Old versions off word will not work, for instance.

It is not the price of the upgrade of the OS, it is the price of an entirely new calibration kit with sensor for my monitors, especially my NEC monitor, as that is not compatible with snow leopard. That will cost roughly $300. I know I will have to bite the bullet someday but money is very tight right now and I am selling things to pay for my Fuji XE1. Just sold my Sigma 150-500 and one or two more lenses to sell and possibly one of my two Nikon SB800 speedlights - and replace one with a fuji EF42. But I did download accuraw earlier today and it would not work, then checked the website and it is my OS. However, Accuraw looks very promising, so does SP3 but I need to make the time to learn it.

>I wonder if you have tried exporting linear DNG files from AccuRaw with all parameters 'zero'd' (essentially only demosaicing) and then importing into LR/PS.

What would be the advantage over export as 16bit TIFF?

--
Editor of Digital Outback Photo
http://www.outbackphoto.net/
Lightroom: http://www.outbackphoto.net/lightroom/

In terms of post-processing latitude, linear DNG provides the least biased image (no gamma, no tone curve, just demosaiced). Next best thing is linear TIFF (gamma = 1), then TIFF with gamma set to the appropriate value (plus correct white balance and exposure, if so desired).

In the end, it probably doesn't matter too much. If the RAW processor can handle basic image processing aspects, then one might as well do as much as desired in the RAW processor and go the TIFF route. If, however, someone is experienced and prefers working with, say, LR/ACR then going into ACR with the least biased, greatest-latitude file might be the better route in terms of workflow.

AccuRAW provides both options (linear DNG, TIFF, plus output as JPG as well).

thanks. this was exactly my concern. I do have the previous version of C1 and I'm not sure if V7 is any different from an updated Version 6 C1. also a previous version of SilkyPix and a bundled one. wonder if version 5 is any better. I practically use LR and PS due to the set parameters for my workflow and plugins that I have on. I see that LR DNG conversion might still have some issues with regards to bringing out the best details out of the RAW image.

I will try AccuRaw as well and see if it is any better than SilkyPix or C1 Raw conversion.

You can download a free 60-day trial of the latest version of Capture One, which has been updated for the X-trans sensor.

Hi,

if you are on OSX and already have LR and PS then I would suggest to try free RPP with excellent automation provided by Mark-vdi (search forum for  RPP and Mark_vdi). Superb details.

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