New 50D Canon CD software - which to use?

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Hi, all,

I haven't yet incorporated the EOS Digital Solution Disk into my PC that came with my new 50D. I had a 20D before the 50, and never did incorporate that version's s/w (shows you what an amateur I am, and still am from the ?'s below).

I do read most all of your posts, and they are quite illuminating (if not way above my head, at least as it concerns PC manipulation). I shoot only JPEG and use PSElements 6 for basic editing.

Q's:

1st basic - When u put the Canon CD in the PC, do all utilities upload (or is it download - I never get this straight) at once, or can u pick and choose which ones to include?

2nd - Is DPP used for anything other than RAW conversion and editing? My DPP version is 3.5 (that's what's shown on the front of the CD). Is that the latest?

3rd - Of the other utilities on the CD, which ones do you use, and why?:

-- ZoomBrowserEX 6.2 (is that an editing program, like PSE?); EOS Utility 2.5; PhotoStitch 3.1 (I know what that does, at least); Picture Style Editor 1.4; Original Data Security Tools 1.5; and WFT Utility 3.2.

I've taken pics with many film SLRs and now DSLRs (and only use the "creative" modes, so I'm not a complete noob), and while I've learned to mess around a little with PSE6 (as stated above), I'm a real amateur when it comes to more advanced (everything you all do) PC downloading/uploading, using RAW (that'll probably be the last thing I'll try) and much else...

I know I'm asking a lot of very basic ?s, but are there any kind souls out there who could help and provide some basic answers?

Thanks alot, Rod.

If you intend to shoot only JPEG, there is little reason to download the Canon software package.
PSElements will work fine.

If want to try RAW, then DPP that is in the canon software will let you manage white balance and noise and convert your "keepers" to JPEG for PS Elements.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/

Rod Becker said:

--
Hi, all,

I haven't yet incorporated the EOS Digital Solution Disk into my PC
that came with my new 50D. I had a 20D before the 50, and never did
incorporate that version's s/w (shows you what an amateur I am, and
still am from the ?'s below).
I do read most all of your posts, and they are quite illuminating (if
not way above my head, at least as it concerns PC manipulation). I
shoot only JPEG and use PSElements 6 for basic editing.

Q's:

1st basic - When u put the Canon CD in the PC, do all utilities
upload (or is it download - I never get this straight) at once, or
can u pick and choose which ones to include?

Click to expand...

You can choose which programs to load.

Rod Becker said:

2nd - Is DPP used for anything other than RAW conversion and editing?
My DPP version is 3.5 (that's what's shown on the front of the CD).
Is that the latest?

Click to expand...

Mostly for RAW conversion but it provides a number of nice features especially for those who don't want to post process heavily. I use Photoshop a lot but also shoot only in RAW and find I like the RAW file conversion much better from DPP. Once converted, you can transfer to PS as a 16 bit TIFF for further work if desired. I've also found that if you don't want to fuss with the image DPP provides an excellent print from the RAW file without having to use another program. You might try it and try shooting RAW as it may open up a new set of possibilities for your photography. It's very nice to have all that control with the image in post processing and DPP is a very easy program to work with.

I believe the latest version of DPP is 3.5.1

Rod Becker said:

3rd - Of the other utilities on the CD, which ones do you use, and
why?:

Click to expand...

I use Zoombrowser for downloading the CF cards and for browsing. Camera Window is a great program used to control the camera with your computer. You have pretty much full control from your keyboard and mouse with the live view image on screen. Nice for still life and macro work. I use it for lens testing to ensure the best possible focus. If you ever have an issue printing with your camera Canon tech support will ask you to print using "Easy Photo Print". This will assist them in diagnosing the root cause of the problem.

Rod Becker said:

-- ZoomBrowserEX 6.2 (is that an editing program, like PSE?); EOS
Utility 2.5; PhotoStitch 3.1 (I know what that does, at least);
Picture Style Editor 1.4; Original Data Security Tools 1.5; and WFT
Utility 3.2.

Click to expand...

Zoombrowser is not an editing program.

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron
My PBASE page is new and growing so please be patient.

Hi Rod. I would recommend DPP. You can use it to tweak and improve your jpgs and also play around with picture styles. When you are ready to try some RAW you will be familiar with the interface and probably find it a lot easier to adapt.

I wouldn't take too much notice of those who will say that DPP is too basic. Yes it is compared to some of the third party programs around but it produces the very best images from Canon RAW and it is very easy to use. It's ideal to get you started.

I think the latest version is 3.5.1 - when you have your version installed you can upgrade to the latest from any of the Canon websites.

There are also some good DPP tutorials on the Canon sites - worth watching.

Good luck.

Rod Becker said:

Q's:

1st basic - When u put the Canon CD in the PC, do all utilities
upload (or is it download - I never get this straight) at once, or
can u pick and choose which ones to include?

Click to expand...

You can install all of them together or each one separately.

Rod Becker said:

2nd - Is DPP used for anything other than RAW conversion and editing?
My DPP version is 3.5 (that's what's shown on the front of the CD).
Is that the latest?

Click to expand...

Latest version is 3.5.1
Besides RAW, it has nice batch utilities. It also works with JPG files.

Rod Becker said:

3rd - Of the other utilities on the CD, which ones do you use, and
why?:
-- ZoomBrowserEX 6.2 (is that an editing program, like PSE?); EOS
Utility 2.5; PhotoStitch 3.1 (I know what that does, at least);
Picture Style Editor 1.4; Original Data Security Tools 1.5; and WFT
Utility 3.2.

Click to expand...

Zoombrowser is quite useful. It shows RAW files and allow you to open those files in tif format. Then you can edit basic parameters (much like DPP does) and save your processed file.

EosUtility is the program that allows you to use the camera with your PC (either downloading your pictures or remotely shooting your camera from the PC).

My workflow is a) take the picture in RAW, b) use EosUtility to transfer the RAW picture to the PC, c) Use DPP to process basic things like exposure, etc. Then save the file to JPG, d) use Zoombrowser to do the sharpening.

If the picture has too much noise, I can use DPP to reduce it or use an external software to control it. This should be done before sharpening.

Rod Becker said:

I've taken pics with many film SLRs and now DSLRs (and only use the
"creative" modes, so I'm not a complete noob), and while I've learned
to mess around a little with PSE6 (as stated above), I'm a real
amateur when it comes to more advanced (everything you all do) PC
downloading/uploading, using RAW (that'll probably be the last thing
I'll try) and much else...

I know I'm asking a lot of very basic ?s, but are there any kind
souls out there who could help and provide some basic answers?

Thanks alot, Rod.

Click to expand...

All these Canon softwares have very good pdf guides available which are handy in helping you to learn.

Miguel

--

Thank you all very much. Your responses have been very helpful. For instance, I didn't know that DPP can be used for JPEGs as well as RAW, among many things I learned.

If I can try your patience again...a few more workflow ideas I need (you may laugh at my ignorance - it's OK).

• I download my CF card directly into the PC (a dedicated slot)

• Up comes a "dialog box," from which I usually click on PSE6 into Orgainzer and edit and send e-mail from there. Of course, there are other options built into the PC, including Windows Pics, etc.

• If I download the Canon CD, I'm assuming all the utilities I've chosen will appear in that dialog box. Is that true? If so, then I do understand what you all are suggesting.

• Assuming I use DPP for JPEG or RAW, and when I'm finished there, is there a simple way to get those pics into, say, PSE6, or any other program? Do I save them as JPEGs, for instance, to get them into PSE6? How do I do that (you're laughing)?

I will, believe me, gratefully appreciate any other suggestions you may have.

Regards, Rod

Rod Becker said:

--

• I download my CF card directly into the PC (a dedicated slot)

Click to expand...

I do not recommend to use a card reader to download your pictures to a PC. The more important factor against it, is that CF cards are fragile and their pins can be easily bended. The EosUtility and the USB cable provided with your camera can do the job quite fine and without the need of messing up with the hardware. In my personal experience also, the direct USB downloading is faster than using my card loader (which may mean my card loader is actually quite bad).

Rod Becker said:

• Assuming I use DPP for JPEG or RAW, and when I'm finished there, is

there a simple way to get those pics into, say, PSE6, or any other
program? Do I save them as JPEGs, for instance, to get them into
PSE6? How do I do that (you're laughing)?

Click to expand...

You can use both methods. Either you save your RAW pictures as tif or jpg files or you can transfer to Photoshop right from DPP or Zoombrowser.

Miguel

EOS utility will allow you to put your name into the 40D/50D, so it will imbed into the images.

In the case of the 50D it comes up as copyright as well.

You also use it to load in picture files (digital filters, and very handy)
--
The Aussie Viking

And don't forget EOS Utility also lets you set up the lenses use by your 50D. The whole Canon lens line up is not in the 50D you can use the EOS Utility to add or subtract I think up to 20 lens.

Jim :^)

paparios said:

Rod Becker said:

--

• I download my CF card directly into the PC (a dedicated slot)

Click to expand...

I do not recommend to use a card reader to download your pictures to
a PC. The more important factor against it, is that CF cards are
fragile and their pins can be easily bended.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I have to strongly disagree about that. I've been using CF cards now for nearly 10 years, since my first digicam. I've always used an external reader, and have never bent a pin.

Another good reason for using a reader instead of the camera - there is always the potential for the batteries to run down during transfer. Finally, I'm always a little paranoid about the USB cord running between the camera and pc getting caught in something or someone and yanking the camera to the floor - for me this is far more likely to happen than a bent pin.

paparios said:

The EosUtility and the
USB cable provided with your camera can do the job quite fine and
without the need of messing up with the hardware. In my personal
experience also, the direct USB downloading is faster than using my
card loader (which may mean my card loader is actually quite bad).

Click to expand...

Yes, another reason to use a reader is it will be faster - I would say you either have a bad reader or it isn't a Hi-Speed USB reader.

Mark

In the past I used the camera to unload my pictures but then my battery ran out once on me. It just so happened I was on my way to take some pictures and didn't have any extra batteries so I had to wait until the batteries recharged. Learned my lesson and use a card reader now.

Not sure how a pin can get bent if you insert the card the right way. Actually there is only one way to insert the card. For those of you who have multiple CF cards because you don't want to put all your photos on one card, what do you have to say about pins bending? If you are swapping out cards, surely you must have some insight.

--
Loved by Few, Hated by Many, Respected by All.

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Thanks again for your responses. As occurs often on this forum, just when I was ready to go the EOS utility route to download my pics instead of directly into the card loader (part of the PC) as some suggested, then contraindications are presented: mainly increased battery drain/failure and slower speed. To complicate the picture further, sometimes my CF card is not recognized by the PC. Grrr! I then put it in several more times and, eureka, it works. And, then it doesn't work for a while, etc...

I'm wondering if my mini HP PC has software problems? Or could it be that there is a slightest bend to one or more of the pins that requires perfect alignment when inserting for it to work.

I got enough problems just trying to learn my new 50D w/o having to deal with this "mechanical" stuff. OK, I'm done complaining.

Regards, Rod

Do you have more than 1 CF card? If so try different cards to see if you have the same problem with your PC. If you don't mind the battery drain then go the camera to PC route and get some additional batteries
--
Loved by Few, Hated by Many, Respected by All.

I´d recommend that you just download the latest set of utilities from Canon. But DPP version 3.5 is good enough too. Its the first version that supports the 50D and has a few other improvements compared to earlier versions.

A lot of people have bent pins in their camera or card reader. But the large majority did not yet. If you are aware of the potential problem and take a tiny bit of extra care while inserting your card you can completely eleminate the risk.

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Thanks again, i95rr and Andreas. Believe me, I slide that CF card in the slot as carefully as a surgeon. As with surgery, it's not always perfect. I should know, having had several in recent years.

Rod

I've got about a dozen CF cards from 256MB to 4 GB and used them on my S40, 10D, XTi, 40D and now 50D. I always use a card reader for download (thousands of times) over the past 6 years and never bent a pin or had any problem at all with a CF card.

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron
My PBASE page is new and growing so please be patient.

Mark B. said:

paparios said:

Rod Becker said:

--

• I download my CF card directly into the PC (a dedicated slot)

Click to expand...

I do not recommend to use a card reader to download your pictures to
a PC. The more important factor against it, is that CF cards are
fragile and their pins can be easily bended.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I have to strongly disagree about that. I've been using CF
cards now for nearly 10 years, since my first digicam. I've always
used an external reader, and have never bent a pin.

Another good reason for using a reader instead of the camera - there
is always the potential for the batteries to run down during
transfer. Finally, I'm always a little paranoid about the USB cord
running between the camera and pc getting caught in something or
someone and yanking the camera to the floor - for me this is far more
likely to happen than a bent pin.

Member said:

The EosUtility and the
USB cable provided with your camera can do the job quite fine and
without the need of messing up with the hardware. In my personal
experience also, the direct USB downloading is faster than using my
card loader (which may mean my card loader is actually quite bad).

Click to expand...

Yes, another reason to use a reader is it will be faster - I would
say you either have a bad reader or it isn't a Hi-Speed USB reader.

Mark

Click to expand...

For sure every one here has his own preferred way of doing things. I use a battery grip and I have never ever had problems with power while using the USB cable, even after taking over 500 pictures with one charge.

The Eos Utility in my case does a fantastic job of transferring my pictures to my harddisk (I don't even have to type anything to the program) and then it will automatically start Zoombrowser to continue with the process.

Usually, I also erase the transferred pictures from the camera as soon as they are saved. So actually I have not touched the CF card in months.

The RAW files (all of them) are then stored in several hard disks in different computers, and also saved to DVD.

For example, from the time I connect the camera, via USB, to the PC until the JPG files are ready to be shown, it takes me less than 10 minutes for a batch of 100 pictures. Of course, fixing noise and sharpening on some of the pictures is done after this.

Miguel

With EOS Utility you can insert your name so it will be included in the EXIF for the picture.

And you can not upgrade from the net, unless an old version is present (installed from the CD).
--
'He not busy being born, is busy dying' Bob Dylan