Is it absolutely necessary to use Capture 1 to get optimal results with Sony RAW files?

rfe777

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I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
 
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There is not false or true statement, it's about preferences in somebody own workflow.
Why don't you try out yourself and make up your mind?
 
I was neither happy with LR/CR or C1 as for color rendering. The factory provided profiles were quite not satisfactory.

The only way I got correct color representation was to build custom camera profile using ColorChecker board. This changed drastically the way LR/CR renders RAW images from A6300. I'm not sure if this is the case for other Sony cameras, but my observation is that factory profiles in C1 and LR/CR are pretty poor.

br, Pawel.
 
LOL I wonder where these people come from..
Wouldn't be better trying it first, since its FREE and sharing your opinion instead of asking opinions first ?

And as you already said in your post opinions on c1 seems to be different, so what kind of response are you looking for that's not already been said?
 
I find C1 is much better at converting Sony RAW files than Adobe.
 
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I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
1. No, it`s not 100% true. You can get optimal results with Sony Image Convertor as well. Even more, it`s far easier to get realistic colors with Sony IDC then with C1. The truth is - C1Express is one of the best (IMHO - simply the best) FREE RAW convertor for SONY. Try it - and check by yourself.

2. What do you mean by "levels"? If layers - than not, express version hasn`t it. You have to bye PRO version for this (50 euro for SONY only).
 
I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
1. No, it`s not 100% true. You can get optimal results with Sony Image Convertor as well. Even more, it`s far easier to get realistic colors with Sony IDC then with C1. The truth is - C1Express is one of the best (IMHO - simply the best) FREE RAW convertor for SONY. Try it - and check by yourself.

2. What do you mean by "levels"? If layers - than not, express version hasn`t it. You have to bye PRO version for this (50 euro for SONY only).
Not layers, levels, just like in Photoshop.
 
That's probaly mostly a question of taste. I have tinkered with C1 Express and it's easier or at least faster to get images out of C1 which look close to Sony JPEGs. Mostly, because C1 has higher default saturation, contrast and sharpness than LR (or CameraRaw in my case), which tends to render rather "dull" or neutral by default. C1 also has a different default color profile for Sony, which might suit your taster better than the Adobe profile. I also found C1 to be handier for correcting colors than CameraRaw (which is very similar to LR) - the C1 UI is quite nice in this regard.

However, RAW conversions from C1 are not per se "better". They just have more aggressive defaults, which some people prefer over Adobe. A question of taste, if you ask me. With some work you can get very similar images out of both converters. And the C1 Express workflow didn't convince me in the end.

Tip: If it's just the colors you don't like in LR, try the "Camera standard" profile instead of "Adobe standard". It makes a huge difference for some images, especially for magenta, red and orange tones.
 
I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
1. No, it`s not 100% true. You can get optimal results with Sony Image Convertor as well. Even more, it`s far easier to get realistic colors with Sony IDC then with C1. The truth is - C1Express is one of the best (IMHO - simply the best) FREE RAW convertor for SONY. Try it - and check by yourself.

2. What do you mean by "levels"? If layers - than not, express version hasn`t it. You have to bye PRO version for this (50 euro for SONY only).
Not layers, levels, just like in Photoshop.
Yes, express version has levels and it works fine (sorry, English is my native, so I use P1 Express with my own language, and have to change P1 to English to understand what are you talking about :)
 
I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
Not layers, levels, just like in Photoshop.
Yes, express version has levels and it works fine (sorry, English is my native, so I use P1 Express with my own language, and have to change P1 to English to understand what are you talking about :)
Thanks and no problem :)
 
However, RAW conversions from C1 are not per se "better". They just have more aggressive defaults, which some people prefer over Adobe.
Not quite.

When I compared C1 and ACR I zeroed all default settings in both and C1 definitely does a better job than ACR. All one has to do is to process the same image in both to see it. For example, the treatment of open sky is much better in C1 than ACR with C1 producing a much smoother rendition with more accurate color than does ACR.

Since C1 express is free it's easy for anyone with ACR to compare the two and see which is more suitable for their work.
 
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I'm deliberating whether to start using Capture 1 express for Sony instead of camera RAW for post-processing my images. I keep hearing that you can only get optimal results just by using this programn, nothing else. Is it 100% true? or just a false, unfounded opinion?

Also, is there a levels option in the express version? levels are essential for my workflow. I will not use this software without it.

TIA
Express is OK but the 50 for full Sony version is a steal - and you get some highly useful functions. I love the quality and workflow. Is it better than Adobe ? Maybe, maybe not, all I care is what works better for me and the Capture One does.
 
What is the main advantage of the full version? Does it have more lens profiles?
 
I am aware that you are frustrated with the work and learning curve for pp. Agreed it is a lot to ask that we make our images "perfect" in pp. Even the visual or technical duds ...

BUT "garbage in, garbage out" is still the answer to your question. If you see and find marvelous subject matter (can do so even in your own garage), your images will be much much better than if you have no knack for seeing. So the first worry always is to visualize excellent compositions, find subjects and angles, even if you run a portrait studio day in, day out, to catch the right light etc; then a bit of camera technique comes next, which parameters to set how, speed, ISO, aperture. And then, only then at the very end of the process comes pp. The last straw.

Therefore I am sure no any one software exists for 100 % satisfaction with pics that were not well conceived and well taken at their creation. And the well taken ones almost need no pp from my experience and work. They shine naturally.

You are, at least in your post, asking a question about trying to saddle a horse again from its rear. Old mistake of all of us, I am afraid to say.

Take better pics and your quest to make them perfect just in the end will vanish naturally.
 
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I am aware that you are frustrated with the work and learning curve for pp. Agreed it is a lot to ask that we make our images "perfect" in pp. Even the visual or technical duds ...

BUT "garbage in, garbage out" is still the answer to your question. If you see and find marvelous subject matter (can do so even in your own garage), your images will be much much better than if you have no knack for seeing. So the first worry always is to visualize excellent compositions, find subjects and angles, even if you run a portrait studio day in, day out, to catch the right light etc; then a bit of camera technique comes next, which parameters to set how, speed, ISO, aperture. And then, only then at the very end of the process comes pp. The last straw.

Therefore I am sure no any one software exists for 100 % satisfaction with pics that were not well conceived and well taken at their creation. And the well taken ones almost need no pp from my experience and work. They shine naturally.

You are, at least in your post, asking a question about trying to saddle a horse again from its rear. Old mistake of all of us, I am afraid to say.

Take better pics and your quest to make them perfect just in the end will vanish naturally.
Nice post, but completely not related to the topic of this thread.
 
Completely related to your quest and question, but in a holistic, a broader view or kind of way. Narrow questions and answers regarding complex problems generally lead to unintended consequences, please become aware of that.

Your main desire is to get better images, right? Not which software will help perfect what is not all that good. The software question is almost irrelevant here. Yet you insist on looking at your frustration with IQ with blinders on.

Bad consequences: wasted time on fiddling with sliders and layers and learning stuff that does not make you see better images or take better ones. Frustrations redirected away from the horse in the room: image seeing, pre-visualization etc.

Do you think portraits and fashion shots by Alvedon or Karsh or Newton would have been better with more, better pp? Think again, please. Completely related!
 
Completely related to your quest and question, but in a holistic, a broader view or kind of way. Narrow questions and answers regarding complex problems generally lead to unintended consequences, please become aware of that.

Your main desire is to get better images, right? Not which software will help perfect what is not all that good. The software question is almost irrelevant here. Yet you insist on looking at your frustration with IQ with blinders on.

Bad consequences: wasted time on fiddling with sliders and layers and learning stuff that does not make you see better images or take better ones. Frustrations redirected away from the horse in the room: image seeing, pre-visualization etc.

Do you think portraits and fashion shots by Alvedon or Karsh or Newton would have been better with more, better pp? Think again, please. Completely related!
My question was about capture 1, nothing else. not anything holistic, inspirational, or to tell me what's important and what's not. If you can't contribute to the topic of this thread then please don't participate.
 
Have not used C1, but it would seem that a preset could be applied to get similar results in LR. Also I think Sony does some pretty sophisticated processing in their in camera JPEG conversion, which would be challenging to duplicate in any software, so I use jpeg+raw for most shots.
 
Therefore I am sure no any one software exists for 100 % satisfaction with pics that were not well conceived and well taken at their creation. And the well taken ones almost need no pp from my experience and work. They shine naturally.
Different software does different things as well. I've got Adobe Elements and Optics Pro. They both have different strengths and limitations. They don't even try to be the same although there is overlap. Your point of this is the final use of software is just part of a good picture, RIGHT ON !!! (oops, caps lock ;-) ).

Some of the photography around is pretty wild. eg. Dance photographs If you read the article this guy uses "airborne flour". WOW !!! This is just one example. Type "photographer artist" in Google and go to images. Very neat pictures although not always with very little PP (that actually sounds funny if you think about it).

Grant.
 
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