What are the FREE RAW editing alternatives for Fuji at present?

beneix said:

RWN Photo said:

GKN said:

ms18 said:

Currently, I believe Capture One Express no longer provides a free version for Fuji. I've also heard that the software provided by the manufacturer ie RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX, tends to be rather sluggish in processing. Hence, what are the complimentary choices available for us to sort and edit RAW files?

Click to expand...

I think there is still a free Capture One option (only for Fuji - I think they killed the free version for other brands …. But it may not be easy to locate ….. I found it at Fujifilm-x website).

Click to expand...

Where was that? There is a "Capture One Express Fujifilm" version on there, free for 3 months, then subscription. To get it, you have to put in your serial number, pick the model, then sign up and give payment info, even though it is free. They want payment info to bill you monthly when it runs out. Kind of scammy.

Anyway, that was what I saw awhile ago when looking.

Click to expand...

On this page , it says:

"If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now."

You can download using the download button at the bottom, no payment details required.

Click to expand...

I don't find that text on the linked page. Coould you please help me find that page you quote from? Maybe also indicate the country of you IP address, one never knows... Thx.

DJF55 said:

beneix said:

RWN Photo said:

GKN said:

ms18 said:

Currently, I believe Capture One Express no longer provides a free version for Fuji. I've also heard that the software provided by the manufacturer ie RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX, tends to be rather sluggish in processing. Hence, what are the complimentary choices available for us to sort and edit RAW files?

Click to expand...

I think there is still a free Capture One option (only for Fuji - I think they killed the free version for other brands …. But it may not be easy to locate ….. I found it at Fujifilm-x website).

Click to expand...

Where was that? There is a "Capture One Express Fujifilm" version on there, free for 3 months, then subscription. To get it, you have to put in your serial number, pick the model, then sign up and give payment info, even though it is free. They want payment info to bill you monthly when it runs out. Kind of scammy.

Anyway, that was what I saw awhile ago when looking.

Click to expand...

On this page , it says:

"If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now."

You can download using the download button at the bottom, no payment details required.

Click to expand...

I don't find that text on the linked page. Coould you please help me find that page you quote from? Maybe also indicate the country of you IP address, one never knows... Thx.

Click to expand...

I found it now non this page: https://www.captureone.com/en/leafl...=collaboration&utm_campaign=fujifilmx_website

jaberg said:

jaberg said:

KariP wrote:
My Mac has Photos and it was free - usable, but not good enough as a RAW editor.

Click to expand...

I use Photos extensively for file management and light editing of “developed” images. It is an incredible value for those using a Macintosh or iOS device. However, I would describe the application as included with purchase rather than free.

And, as you say, it is not a raw developer. My raw app of choice is currently Nitro from Gentlemen Coders. Nikk (the man behind the apps) also produces RAW Power. Neither is free, though I would say both provide value. (Note that if you opt for Nitro you have no need for RAW Power.)

Click to expand...

I also use Photos as a management tool and other jobs. It is very useful! Not for so called "art"

Photos is perhaps not really "free" , but you can not buy a product without it. In a way part of the OS. Nitro is interesting and it works seamlessly with Photos like many others - Affinity Photo and some others

notchy said:

KariP said:

ms18 said:

Currently, I believe Capture One Express no longer provides a free version for Fuji. I've also heard that the software provided by the manufacturer ie RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX, tends to be rather sluggish in processing. Hence, what are the complimentary choices available for us to sort and edit RAW files?

Click to expand...

I do not see the idea in searching for a free RAW editor - the quality also matters if you do thing seriously or as professional. Free is very cheap ;-)

A camera + some lenses can cost easily 2000-4000 USD or € - if I use something like 100€ to get some decent software I see it as a very reasonable investment. Capture One Pro is rather expensive - but not so expensive as camera gear. IMO a good RAW editor+modern software is an essential part of my equipment - nowadays photography means usable software....not just lenses

Click to expand...

I think most here understand this. MS18 wasn't trying to suggest that _you_ have to use free software. He/she was asking for their own benefit.

There are two kinds of "free": free as in cost and free as in licensing. Some might want to use free and open source software to save money, but others use it because they run an operating system that doesn't support the proprietary applications, or else because they are reluctant to compromise security on their system by running "black box" proprietary software. Should these people be excluded from doing photography?

Not everyone is financially privileged. Not everyone lives in a country that respects human rights. For some people, their photography can literally cost them their liberty and even their lives.

Regardless, it always strikes me as rather insensitive to suggest that someone is "cheaping out" because they want to use software with no purchase price. They might have exhausted their funds buying the hardware and now need time to save for the proprietary application, or they might have other reasons, such as those I've mentioned above. Not everyone has cash to burn. Some have to struggle to save to afford even the basics. Worth bearing in mind before passing judgement on people's choices.

Click to expand...

If you want to buy Fujifilm gear you must be in a way financially privileged. There are other usable brands and used equipment .

FujiJon said:

"For the most part, the free software is pretty well worth what you pay for it, and serious editing almost always demands 3rd party software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One."

Whoa! Careful with that brush, Jerry You've just told NASA, the Pentagon, the New York stock exchange, car and phone manufacturers etc they're all doing it wrong by using linux. Not to mention a lot of excellent FOSS software like darktable, Kdenlive and the free version of DaVinci resolve.

For example: https://opensource.com/article/19/8/everyday-tech-runs-linux

Click to expand...

I stand corrected.

That said, my own experiences with free software have not been all that encouraging over the years. I've used LR for years, and given its capabilities, I really don't have an issue with funding its further development by paying for it. Much the same for other applications as well. It's consistent with my "old guy's" philosophy of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." LR has served me well over the years and I feel the investment I've made along the way is plenty worth the value and functionality that it offers.

I also agree that my comment might have been a bit too broad in scope. Free does not equate to bad.

--
Jerry-Astro
Portland, OR, USA

Jerry-astro said:

...

That said, my own experiences with free software have not been all that encouraging over the years. I've used LR for years, and given its capabilities, I really don't have an issue with funding its further development by paying for it. ...Free does not equate to bad.

Click to expand...

darktable is really a capable piece of software.

I have used it since I entered the Fujifilm ecosystem and re-discovered photography as a hobby for me. That was in 2018.

darktable is very logical in its workflow, you have more degrees of freedom as compared to Lightroom.

However, darktable cannot compete with paid state of the art solutions that provide "AI supported features", the most important one for me being denoising of high ISO images. I wanted to have this feature, hence, end of 2023, I licensed Lightroom. darktable does not offer convenient auto masking in a way LR does. But on the other hand, masks in darktable offer more options and are more fun to use than those in LR. darktable does not offer generative fill like Photoshop does or no AI sharpening like Topaz does. GIMP also does not have generative fill. At least today, if you want the latest "AI features", you need to pay.

Although I have LR now, I sometimes still prefer darktable. Hats off to its developers.

KR,

Martin

FujiJon said:

"For the most part, the free software is pretty well worth what you pay for it, and serious editing almost always demands 3rd party software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One."

Whoa! Careful with that brush, Jerry You've just told NASA, the Pentagon, the New York stock exchange, car and phone manufacturers etc they're all doing it wrong by using linux. Not to mention a lot of excellent FOSS software like darktable, Kdenlive and the free version of DaVinci resolve.

For example: https://opensource.com/article/19/8/everyday-tech-runs-linux

Click to expand...

While somewhat true, Red Hat was sold to IBM several years ago as US Government users were pushing for better overall configuration control and support. As a results there is not a fee associated with the use of Linux in system for such customers as NASA, the Pentagon, etc. In reality DOD and NASA pushed IBM to buy Red Hat to bring more structure and control to Linux used in the support of critical systems using Linux in its enterprise. The results was Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Since then Red Hat/IBM have limited access to source code to those that buy a license to RHEL. In some respects today RHEL is more similar to Sun Solaris now Oricle Solaris Unix than the Wild West that Linux started in.

This had been a long time coming, since while it was less expensive to develop systems based on OS Linux - the QC and maintenance cost had gone up in DOD and NASA enterprise systems because of the lack of S/W QC and sufficient configuration control which can be an issue in true Open Source code and IBM was pushed to buy Red Hat and better manage it as to help address that issue by the US DOD.

The Open Source associated with such things as imaging S/W for consumer cameras is a far cry from Enterprise systems that use Linux. Darktable for example does not have the ability to send commends to a billion dollar DOD satellite or the NASA ISS.

So I tend to agree with Jerry. While some of the OS imaging processing S/W is interesting - it is what I would characterize as "not quite ready for prime time" in the sense of the UI not being fully developed and idiot proof for non-nerd S/W oriented users. If one has not interest in digging down into the nuts and bolds but rather having a well developed tool that is easy and intuitive for an artist type of personality to use, then something like Lightroom or Capture is probably a better option. It's somewhat like, Mac vs. PC debates. Mac users tend I think to be people that don't care about the nuts and bolts or having to even know such things exist. They just want it to work. They are aptitudes more along the line of artist, writers, some scientist and pure mathematicians. PC users tend to be more "tinkerers" like people that build their won PC's - more the aptitude of engineers. Neither really wrong or right - just different.

For example I bought my 85 yo mother a Mac some years back and set up her Email and put a few book marks into Safari for her. She loved it had no problem using it. The Mac replace the PC my brother in law set up for her that she just stopped using because it "was too hard."

Different strokes. For me I would much rather pay for imaging S/W that works right out of the box with a well thought out, with an intuitive (to photographers not necessarily S/W engineers GUI ) and if there is an issue, there is technical support to aid in the solution of the issue. A good example, a while back Capture One started to crash when I imported files from my Z8. I contacted C1 support. The next morning i received an Email with instructions on reloading the system fresh and then if it crashed to find and send back logs and the crash dump. I crashed it and sent back the data. The next day, I received Email saying they had identified the issue and were in the process of fixing it. Two days later they sent a link to the latest update that fixed the bug that had gotten into the previous update that impacted only Z8 files. That's what one pays for when one invest in Adobe, Capture One, DXO, etc. To me at least it is well worth the cost.

Others might like to tinker.

Rightsaidfred said:

Jerry-astro said:

...

That said, my own experiences with free software have not been all that encouraging over the years. I've used LR for years, and given its capabilities, I really don't have an issue with funding its further development by paying for it. ...Free does not equate to bad.

Click to expand...

darktable is really a capable piece of software.

I have used it since I entered the Fujifilm ecosystem and re-discovered photography as a hobby for me. That was in 2018.

darktable is very logical in its workflow, you have more degrees of freedom as compared to Lightroom.

However, darktable cannot compete with paid state of the art solutions that provide "AI supported features", the most important one for me being denoising of high ISO images. I wanted to have this feature, hence, end of 2023, I licensed Lightroom. darktable does not offer convenient auto masking in a way LR does. But on the other hand, masks in darktable offer more options and are more fun to use than those in LR. darktable does not offer generative fill like Photoshop does or no AI sharpening like Topaz does. GIMP also does not have generative fill. At least today, if you want the latest "AI features", you need to pay.

Although I have LR now, I sometimes still prefer darktable. Hats off to its developers.

KR,

Martin

Click to expand...

Pretty much how I feel about it too. Denoise is all that seems to be missing, but that is getting better all the time.

Have you tried Upscayl?

FujiJon said:

"For the most part, the free software is pretty well worth what you pay for it, and serious editing almost always demands 3rd party software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One."

Whoa! Careful with that brush, Jerry You've just told NASA, the Pentagon, the New York stock exchange, car and phone manufacturers etc they're all doing it wrong by using linux. Not to mention a lot of excellent FOSS software like darktable, Kdenlive and the free version of DaVinci resolve.

For example: https://opensource.com/article/19/8/everyday-tech-runs-linux

Click to expand...

Da Vinci Resolve is an absolutely incredible piece of free software. This post got me thinking though, it is free but it's pretty much a 'loss leader' for the hardware the company sells. I'm not sure if I can think of any other companies in the sector that give away very powerful and effective software to hook people into the hardware.

beneix said:

RWN Photo said:

GKN said:

I think there is still a free Capture One option (only for Fuji - I think they killed the free version for other brands …. But it may not be easy to locate ….. I found it at Fujifilm-x website).

Click to expand...

Where was that? There is a "Capture One Express Fujifilm" version on there, free for 3 months, then subscription. To get it, you have to put in your serial number, pick the model, then sign up and give payment info, even though it is free. They want payment info to bill you monthly when it runs out. Kind of scammy.

Click to expand...

On this page , it says:

"If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now."

You can download using the download button at the bottom, no payment details required.

Click to expand...

Bold part is incorrect. First you have to enter your camera model and serial number. Then you have to enter your email address and type the verification code they send you. And finally you have to enter your credit card info, before you get to download the three-month free trial. (I declined to give my credit card into to them.)

It really does strike me as a bait and switch from the claim on the web page that it is "completely free." Maybe for three months, but that is apparently all. Not exactly confidence-inspiring in the company.

Also, as part of the above three steps, you must check a box that says you agree to receive marketing emails from them. It says you can later change that in your settings, but when you go to edit your profile to do that, it then demands your full name, address, phone number, before you can go further. Perhaps I'll be able to click an "unsubscribe" button when the inevitable email deluge starts, or just block anything them completely.

--
Brent

Truman Prevatt said:

While somewhat true, Red Hat was sold to IBM several years ago as US Government users were pushing for better overall configuration control and support. As a results there is not a fee associated with the use of Linux in system for such customers as NASA, the Pentagon, etc. In reality DOD and NASA pushed IBM to buy Red Hat to bring more structure and control to Linux used in the support of critical systems using Linux in its enterprise. The results was Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Since then Red Hat/IBM have limited access to source code to those that buy a license to RHEL. In some respects today RHEL is more similar to Sun Solaris now Oricle Solaris Unix than the Wild West that Linux started in.

This had been a long time coming, since while it was less expensive to develop systems based on OS Linux - the QC and maintenance cost had gone up in DOD and NASA enterprise systems because of the lack of S/W QC and sufficient configuration control which can be an issue in true Open Source code and IBM was pushed to buy Red Hat and better manage it as to help address that issue by the US DOD.

The Open Source associated with such things as imaging S/W for consumer cameras is a far cry from Enterprise systems that use Linux. Darktable for example does not have the ability to send commends to a billion dollar DOD satellite or the NASA ISS.

So I tend to agree with Jerry. While some of the OS imaging processing S/W is interesting - it is what I would characterize as "not quite ready for prime time" in the sense of the UI not being fully developed and idiot proof for non-nerd S/W oriented users. If one has not interest in digging down into the nuts and bolds but rather having a well developed tool that is easy and intuitive for an artist type of personality to use, then something like Lightroom or Capture is probably a better option. It's somewhat like, Mac vs. PC debates. Mac users tend I think to be people that don't care about the nuts and bolts or having to even know such things exist. They just want it to work. They are aptitudes more along the line of artist, writers, some scientist and pure mathematicians. PC users tend to be more "tinkerers" like people that build their won PC's - more the aptitude of engineers. Neither really wrong or right - just different.

For example I bought my 85 yo mother a Mac some years back and set up her Email and put a few book marks into Safari for her. She loved it had no problem using it. The Mac replace the PC my brother in law set up for her that she just stopped using because it "was too hard."

Different strokes. For me I would much rather pay for imaging S/W that works right out of the box with a well thought out, with an intuitive (to photographers not necessarily S/W engineers GUI ) and if there is an issue, there is technical support to aid in the solution of the issue. A good example, a while back Capture One started to crash when I imported files from my Z8. I contacted C1 support. The next morning i received an Email with instructions on reloading the system fresh and then if it crashed to find and send back logs and the crash dump. I crashed it and sent back the data. The next day, I received Email saying they had identified the issue and were in the process of fixing it. Two days later they sent a link to the latest update that fixed the bug that had gotten into the previous update that impacted only Z8 files. That's what one pays for when one invest in Adobe, Capture One, DXO, etc. To me at least it is well worth the cost.

Others might like to tinker.

Click to expand...

Well said. Thank you.

brentbrent said:

beneix said:

RWN Photo said:

GKN said:

I think there is still a free Capture One option (only for Fuji - I think they killed the free version for other brands …. But it may not be easy to locate ….. I found it at Fujifilm-x website).

Click to expand...

Where was that? There is a "Capture One Express Fujifilm" version on there, free for 3 months, then subscription. To get it, you have to put in your serial number, pick the model, then sign up and give payment info, even though it is free. They want payment info to bill you monthly when it runs out. Kind of scammy.

Click to expand...

On this page , it says:

"If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now."

You can download using the download button at the bottom, no payment details required.

Click to expand...

Bold part is incorrect. First you have to enter your camera model and serial number. Then you have to enter your email address and type the verification code they send you. And finally you have to enter your credit card info, before you get to download the three-month free trial. (I declined to give my credit card into to them.)

It really does strike me as a bait and switch from the claim on the web page that it is "completely free." Maybe for three months, but that is apparently all. Not exactly confidence-inspiring in the company.

Also, as part of the above three steps, you must check a box that says you agree to receive marketing emails from them. It says you can later change that in your settings, but when you go to edit your profile to do that, it then demands your full name, address, phone number, before you can go further. Perhaps I'll be able to click an "unsubscribe" button when the inevitable email deluge starts, or just block anything them completely.

Click to expand...

I scrolled to bottom of page where is says

In case you decide you need something else

If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now.

GKN said:

brentbrent said:

beneix said:

RWN Photo said:

GKN said:

I think there is still a free Capture One option (only for Fuji - I think they killed the free version for other brands …. But it may not be easy to locate ….. I found it at Fujifilm-x website).

Click to expand...

Where was that? There is a "Capture One Express Fujifilm" version on there, free for 3 months, then subscription. To get it, you have to put in your serial number, pick the model, then sign up and give payment info, even though it is free. They want payment info to bill you monthly when it runs out. Kind of scammy.

Click to expand...

On this page , it says:

"If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now."

You can download using the download button at the bottom, no payment details required.

Click to expand...

Bold part is incorrect. First you have to enter your camera model and serial number. Then you have to enter your email address and type the verification code they send you. And finally you have to enter your credit card info, before you get to download the three-month free trial. (I declined to give my credit card into to them.)

It really does strike me as a bait and switch from the claim on the web page that it is "completely free." Maybe for three months, but that is apparently all. Not exactly confidence-inspiring in the company.

Also, as part of the above three steps, you must check a box that says you agree to receive marketing emails from them. It says you can later change that in your settings, but when you go to edit your profile to do that, it then demands your full name, address, phone number, before you can go further. Perhaps I'll be able to click an "unsubscribe" button when the inevitable email deluge starts, or just block anything them completely.

Click to expand...

I scrolled to bottom of page where is says

In case you decide you need something else

If you tried the All in One and decided it’s not for you, we might be able to help. You can still solve some of your photo tasks with the free FUJIFILM RAW Converter. It’s not nearly as feature-packed as Capture One Pro, but you can make basic edits, organize your catalog and session files, apply Styles, and export to JPEG and TIFF. Note that the software only works with FUJIFILM RAW images.

Download and use for free now.

Click to expand...

As I have said before, it's not the link that takes you directly to the for free dowload page. Long live threaded view ;-)

Alan Hewitt Photo said:

FujiJon said:

"For the most part, the free software is pretty well worth what you pay for it, and serious editing almost always demands 3rd party software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One."

Whoa! Careful with that brush, Jerry You've just told NASA, the Pentagon, the New York stock exchange, car and phone manufacturers etc they're all doing it wrong by using linux. Not to mention a lot of excellent FOSS software like darktable, Kdenlive and the free version of DaVinci resolve.

For example: https://opensource.com/article/19/8/everyday-tech-runs-linux

Click to expand...

Da Vinci Resolve is an absolutely incredible piece of free software. This post got me thinking though, it is free but it's pretty much a 'loss leader' for the hardware the company sells. I'm not sure if I can think of any other companies in the sector that give away very powerful and effective software to hook people into the hardware.

Click to expand...

Try Apple. That's the Steve Jobs model.

Samuraidog said:

Rightsaidfred said:

... At least today, if you want the latest "AI features", you need to pay.

Although I have LR now, I sometimes still prefer darktable. Hats off to its developers.

KR,

Martin

Click to expand...

Pretty much how I feel about it too. Denoise is all that seems to be missing, but that is getting better all the time.

Have you tried Upscayl?

Click to expand...

Not yet, and I have no plans. I try to keep my workflow simple.

I manage all my new photos with Lightroom and make use of keywords, color codes, and galleries. I actually simplified my workflow when switching from darktable to LR, I also went for a NAS. Very happy. I use Photoshop only if necessary. I have no Topaz or DxO. The combo of LR and PS is sufficient for me. I know there are some who say one could get out more detail of the Fujifilm raws with DxO or so but I never tried and to be honest, don't very much have the urge to try.

Better keep the workflow simple and use the time to enjoy photography. Currently taking photos for a private project with a friend, that is a lot of fun and IQ is more than enough.

Btw a simple workflow is not dependent on LR. It is also possible with darktable.

Martin

KariP said:

notchy said:

KariP said:

ms18 said:

Currently, I believe Capture One Express no longer provides a free version for Fuji. I've also heard that the software provided by the manufacturer ie RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX, tends to be rather sluggish in processing. Hence, what are the complimentary choices available for us to sort and edit RAW files?

Click to expand...

I do not see the idea in searching for a free RAW editor - the quality also matters if you do thing seriously or as professional. Free is very cheap ;-)

A camera + some lenses can cost easily 2000-4000 USD or € - if I use something like 100€ to get some decent software I see it as a very reasonable investment. Capture One Pro is rather expensive - but not so expensive as camera gear. IMO a good RAW editor+modern software is an essential part of my equipment - nowadays photography means usable software....not just lenses

Click to expand...

I think most here understand this. MS18 wasn't trying to suggest that _you_ have to use free software. He/she was asking for their own benefit.

There are two kinds of "free": free as in cost and free as in licensing. Some might want to use free and open source software to save money, but others use it because they run an operating system that doesn't support the proprietary applications, or else because they are reluctant to compromise security on their system by running "black box" proprietary software. Should these people be excluded from doing photography?

Not everyone is financially privileged. Not everyone lives in a country that respects human rights. For some people, their photography can literally cost them their liberty and even their lives.

Regardless, it always strikes me as rather insensitive to suggest that someone is "cheaping out" because they want to use software with no purchase price. They might have exhausted their funds buying the hardware and now need time to save for the proprietary application, or they might have other reasons, such as those I've mentioned above. Not everyone has cash to burn. Some have to struggle to save to afford even the basics. Worth bearing in mind before passing judgement on people's choices.

Click to expand...

If you want to buy Fujifilm gear you must be in a way financially privileged. There are other usable brands and used equipment .

Click to expand...

There you go again. Telling people the way you think things are and should be, only this time you forgot the "IMO" ;-)

I would like to add some thooghts. Is every software was free, can you imagine that development and cretivity could produce new processes, new programs, new gear. Some examples : for 12€ a month I get PS, LR, and many other programs, all updates, cloud facility, .... Same for the office. And same for a quasi professional cloud.

I agree with Jerry, there is definitly a cost for a hobby, and I do think that I get alot in return of my 12€. By the way 12e in France is what cost 20 cigarettes .....

Truman Prevatt said:

Two days later they sent a link to the latest update that fixed the bug that had gotten into the previous update that impacted only Z8 files. That's what one pays for when one invest in Adobe, Capture One, DXO, etc. To me at least it is well worth the cost.

Click to expand...

Fullu agree

The cost also pays for devoipment for the future, creativity, progress, research (see IA in PS)

Bob

notchy said:

KariP said:

notchy said:

KariP said:

ms18 said:

Currently, I believe Capture One Express no longer provides a free version for Fuji. I've also heard that the software provided by the manufacturer ie RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX, tends to be rather sluggish in processing. Hence, what are the complimentary choices available for us to sort and edit RAW files?

Click to expand...

I do not see the idea in searching for a free RAW editor - the quality also matters if you do thing seriously or as professional. Free is very cheap ;-)

A camera + some lenses can cost easily 2000-4000 USD or € - if I use something like 100€ to get some decent software I see it as a very reasonable investment. Capture One Pro is rather expensive - but not so expensive as camera gear. IMO a good RAW editor+modern software is an essential part of my equipment - nowadays photography means usable software....not just lenses

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I think most here understand this. MS18 wasn't trying to suggest that _you_ have to use free software. He/she was asking for their own benefit.

There are two kinds of "free": free as in cost and free as in licensing. Some might want to use free and open source software to save money, but others use it because they run an operating system that doesn't support the proprietary applications, or else because they are reluctant to compromise security on their system by running "black box" proprietary software. Should these people be excluded from doing photography?

Not everyone is financially privileged. Not everyone lives in a country that respects human rights. For some people, their photography can literally cost them their liberty and even their lives.

Regardless, it always strikes me as rather insensitive to suggest that someone is "cheaping out" because they want to use software with no purchase price. They might have exhausted their funds buying the hardware and now need time to save for the proprietary application, or they might have other reasons, such as those I've mentioned above. Not everyone has cash to burn. Some have to struggle to save to afford even the basics. Worth bearing in mind before passing judgement on people's choices.

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If you want to buy Fujifilm gear you must be in a way financially privileged. There are other usable brands and used equipment .

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There you go again. Telling people the way you think things are and should be, only this time you forgot the "IMO" ;-)

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And when you write something it is not your own personal IMO - opinions?

Around here ( my home and country) people discuss so that they express their personal opinions and respect the opinions of others . Sometimes. I see that as a reason to discusss in the first place. My IMO is my personal IMO and i have not asked anyone if it is always "politically correct". And some people do understand if there is a joke or sarcasm or whatever involved. Of course understanding is voluntary and OK by all means if it is not.

;-) ;-)

BTW i have stopped buying new camera gear because i have enough and the new cameras are too expensive - or not good enough for the money.

With Adobe Photoshops Ai Denoise function, Photoshop for the first time gave better results with fujifilm X-trans files than Raw Therapee.

So, Raw Therapee is free and great with the fujifilm raw files, the UI takes quite a bit of time to learn how to use correctly. For example, for the widest dynamic range, especially in the highlights you should underexpose your raw-files about 1 stop, and then pull the "Brightness" in Raw Therapee up to 100, and then pull back exposure with the exposure slide, this is actually how Adobe Camera Raw functioned about 10-15 years ago