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Best RAW Converter?

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Paddler213

Paddler213

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So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
 
Paddler213 said:
So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
Click to expand...
I use the Capture One software, works nicely with the Sony RX100V. It has always worked well with me Nikon cameras too (D750, D800 etc)

Doesn't Capture One have a special software edition for Sony - Capture One Express?
 
Paddler213 said:
So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
Click to expand...
You might just have opened up a furious war…

Every RAW shooter has their favourite editor, which they're convinced is the best. As far as I'm concerned, it's DxO Optics Pro Elite edition, which has probably the best lens geometry correction and NR tools. I like its workflow, too, as well as its feature set. But you'll undoubtedly get other responses fiercely arguing that several other converters are better/cheaper/easier/more comprehensive.

Before anyone mentions them, DxO does have a couple of snags: it's not a full photo editor (no paint tools or selective editing) and it's painfully slow to support new cameras, as DxO Labs base their corrections on its own detailed lab tests, not just the manufacturer's hints, as Adobe does. You also have to be using the latest major release to benefit from support for new cameras. And you need to run it on a reasonably fast 64-bit machine.
 
Digital Nigel said:
Paddler213 said:
So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
Click to expand...
You might just have opened up a furious war…

Every RAW shooter has their favourite editor, which they're convinced is the best. As far as I'm concerned, it's DxO Optics Pro Elite edition, which has probably the best lens geometry correction and NR tools. I like its workflow, too, as well as its feature set. But you'll undoubtedly get other responses fiercely arguing that several other converters are better/cheaper/easier/more comprehensive.

Before anyone mentions them, DxO does have a couple of snags: it's not a full photo editor (no paint tools or selective editing)
Click to expand...
It has most of the selective tools needed for RAW development and enhancement...

Loading…

www.dxo.com
Digital Nigel said:
and it's painfully slow to support new cameras, as DxO Labs base their corrections on its own detailed lab tests, not just the manufacturer's hints, as Adobe does. You also have to be using the latest major release to benefit from support for new cameras. And you need to run it on a reasonably fast 64-bit machine.
Click to expand...
All true! :-( but :-D when they eventually get it done.
 
I got my RX100 III less than two months ago and quickly looked for a good RAW converter. I tried Sony's Image Converter, CaptureOne 9, and DxO 11 Elite (recommended on this forum, maybe by Digital Nigel who posted in this thread). It was no contest at all; DxO was so much better, especially for high ISO images. I find the control I have with it, including the ability to bring up dark areas and tone down light areas, is pretty amazing. Also its "ClearView" feature improves many images in ways that I wouldn't even have thought about.
 
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No need for a RAW converter war here - just get one (even the Capture One for Sony will do very well) and learn how to use it.

The best RAW converter is the one you master!

End results are individual but every RAW converter will - in the end - deliver much the same final result. The great difference is personal preference - far outweighting any small technical differences between different brands.

So - you are the master, if you master the tool then...
 
Trollmannx said:
No need for a RAW converter war here - just get one (even the Capture One for Sony will do very well) and learn how to use it.

The best RAW converter is the one you master!

End results are individual but every RAW converter will - in the end - deliver much the same final result. The great difference is personal preference - far outweighting any small technical differences between different brands.

So - you are the master, if you master the tool then...
Click to expand...
I don't at all agree that every RAW converter will deliver much the same final result. People differ on which one is best, and that's fine, but some are much better than others.
 
Paddler213 said:
So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Lightroom is great for RAW conversion with Sony cameras including the RX100 M5. I've used LR, DxO, Bibble, and Capture One. Lightroom is the most flexible, best supported, quickest to update, and has the most logical workflow for me. I end up with better results and less work than I do in the other RAW converters. YMMV.
 
seri_art said:
Trollmannx said:
No need for a RAW converter war here - just get one (even the Capture One for Sony will do very well) and learn how to use it.

The best RAW converter is the one you master!

End results are individual but every RAW converter will - in the end - deliver much the same final result. The great difference is personal preference - far outweighting any small technical differences between different brands.

So - you are the master, if you master the tool then...
Click to expand...
I don't at all agree that every RAW converter will deliver much the same final result. People differ on which one is best, and that's fine, but some are much better than others.
Click to expand...
I agree with Trollmannx, the best RAW converter is the one you master.

I have both the DXO Suite (complete collection) and C1 Pro. And to claim there is a huge difference between these two in output, if you master them both, seems strange to me....
 
There are free trials for Capture 1, Lightroom, DxO and most other I suppose. I liked DxO but went with the Adobe CC photography plan.

In the end you'll be happier with the one that fits your workflow so I think you should get the trials and see which you like better. They are all pretty good :-)
 
edform said:
Digital Nigel said:
Paddler213 said:
So, I've read LR's RAW converter isn't great for the RX100 M5. The free Sony converter is very basic. I have a Nikon D500 also, for which I use Capture NX-D, but would like to unify my workflow. Suggestions?
Click to expand...
You might just have opened up a furious war…

Every RAW shooter has their favourite editor, which they're convinced is the best. As far as I'm concerned, it's DxO Optics Pro Elite edition, which has probably the best lens geometry correction and NR tools. I like its workflow, too, as well as its feature set. But you'll undoubtedly get other responses fiercely arguing that several other converters are better/cheaper/easier/more comprehensive.

Before anyone mentions them, DxO does have a couple of snags: it's not a full photo editor (no paint tools or selective editing)
Click to expand...
It has most of the selective tools needed for RAW development and enhancement...

http://www.dxo.com/us/photography/d...t-specks-and-eliminating-undesirable-elements
edform said:
and it's painfully slow to support new cameras, as DxO Labs base their corrections on its own detailed lab tests, not just the manufacturer's hints, as Adobe does. You also have to be using the latest major release to benefit from support for new cameras. And you need to run it on a reasonably fast 64-bit machine.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
DxO Optics Pro Elite is my RAW converter of choice too ...

It does an excellent job (IMHO) and applies many corrections (for lens softness, chromatic aberration, etc) determined specifically for your camera/lens combination - based on DxO-Mark's detailed lab. tests.

What it doesn't attempt to do at all, tho, is to organise or "manage" your images in the way that, say, Lightroom does - It simply works with your system's file-structure (albeit, in a Non-destructive manner) ... So, it doesn't suit the person who says; "I just downloaded all the images from my camera to my PC, and now I can't find them !"
 
Digital Nigel said:
Before anyone mentions them, DxO does have a couple of snags: it's not a full photo editor (no paint tools or selective editing) and it's painfully slow to support new cameras, as DxO Labs base their corrections on its own detailed lab tests, not just the manufacturer's hints, as Adobe does. You also have to be using the latest major release to benefit from support for new cameras. And you need to run it on a reasonably fast 64-bit machine.
Click to expand...
I really like DxO Optics Pro 11 Elite. But this "it's painfully slow to support new cameras" is alas, and so painfully, true. I purchased a Panasonic ZS100 in April and support came in November. No telling when the RX100 V will be supported .. though I haven't checked in the past week or so.

--
Phil
 
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PictureCode home page: Photo Ninja

Photo Ninja is a professional-grade raw converter that delivers exceptional image quality with a distinctive, natural look.
www.picturecode.com www.picturecode.com

db
 
PC Wheeler said:
Digital Nigel said:
Before anyone mentions them, DxO does have a couple of snags: it's not a full photo editor (no paint tools or selective editing) and it's painfully slow to support new cameras, as DxO Labs base their corrections on its own detailed lab tests, not just the manufacturer's hints, as Adobe does. You also have to be using the latest major release to benefit from support for new cameras. And you need to run it on a reasonably fast 64-bit machine.
Click to expand...
I really like DxO Optics Pro 11 Elite. But this "it's painfully slow to support new cameras" is alas, and so painfully, true. I purchased a Panasonic ZS100 in April and support came in November. No telling when the RX100 V will be supported .. though I haven't checked in the past week or so.
Click to expand...
I see it's supposed to be supported imminently, this month in fact. Of course, that's an easier one to support, as the lens in unchanged from the older, supported model.
 
A little over 3 years now.

I used Nikon Capture NX 1 followed by 2 as it was my digital gear of choice since 2001. When Sony introduced the A900 I switched systems and waffled between Sonys IDC, LR (1,2,3 or 4) or using PS ACR to convert, followed up with a trip through Capture NX as I had become hooked on it's control point tech which was licensed from NIK .

Now I'm quite satisfied with conversion through Photo Ninja as a raw converter with a PS follow up. My files open directly in PN as directed through PS preferences followed by my PS workflow.

I've tried Capture one and DXO a few times off and on, every time a new version is introduced, always coming back to PN for it's ease of use and of course the files it produces.

db
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18548381@N05/
 
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dbogdan said:
A little over 3 years now.

I used Nikon Capture NX 1 followed by 2 as it was my digital gear of choice since 2001. When Sony introduced the A900 I switched systems and waffled between Sonys IDC, LR (1,2,3 or 4) or using PS ACR to convert, followed up with a trip through Capture NX as I had become hooked on it's control point tech which was licensed from NIK .

Now I'm quite satisfied with conversion through Photo Ninja as a raw converter with a PS follow up. My files open directly in PN as directed through PS preferences followed by my PS workflow.

I've tried Capture one and DXO a few times off and on, every time a new version is introduced, always coming back to PN for it's ease of use and of course the files it produces.
Click to expand...
Does Photo Ninja yet include automatic lens geometry corrections? Last time I looked, it didn't.
 
As some have said the best raw converter is the one you use and know well. I use LR for the raw conversion of all my Nikon cameras (D500/810/7200/V1/3) and now I have an RX100m4 I use it for that too. It pulls shadows nicely and deals with noise well if you know how to use it. LR work flow works for me and unifies all my cameras processing requirements and catalogueing.

So I would suggest you try and get a trial version of LR and see if it's workflow works for you.
 
Digital Nigel said:
dbogdan said:
A little over 3 years now.

I used Nikon Capture NX 1 followed by 2 as it was my digital gear of choice since 2001. When Sony introduced the A900 I switched systems and waffled between Sonys IDC, LR (1,2,3 or 4) or using PS ACR to convert, followed up with a trip through Capture NX as I had become hooked on it's control point tech which was licensed from NIK .

Now I'm quite satisfied with conversion through Photo Ninja as a raw converter with a PS follow up. My files open directly in PN as directed through PS preferences followed by my PS workflow.

I've tried Capture one and DXO a few times off and on, every time a new version is introduced, always coming back to PN for it's ease of use and of course the files it produces.
Click to expand...
Does Photo Ninja yet include automatic lens geometry corrections? Last time I looked, it didn't.
Click to expand...
It does have a very intuitive lens correction area called "Distortion and geometry". It includes manually based- Fish eye, Pincushion and/or Mustache correction as well as vertical, horizontal and rotational adjustments. Once used they can very easily be saved as a preset to the individual lens. This actually exceeds the presets of others as it can be used with any lens. New, old or even third party lenses can be quickly adjusted and saved through it's Trainable Smart Preset function.

Also, Photo Ninjas, Exposure/Dynamic range/Color and Noise adjustment capability matches if not exceeds any on the market as well.

Do your free downloads and check em all out and decide. Spend a bit of time, learn it's in's and outs, and move forward as threads like this always tend to turn into a religious war.

db

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18548381@N05/
 
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