What is your preferred way to edit Fuji Raw files?

[flow chi]

I am not very experienced with editing raw images, but I understand the issues with Fuji X Raw files and Lightroom.

I have been just running enhance on every photo, but that is time consuming. I did a trial for capture on and ended up barely having time to play around with it. I'm learning how to edit photos and work with Fuji Raws at the same time.

TBH, I did notice that capture one handled the Raw files better. I didnt make the move due to features I wasnt ready to give up with my adobe subscription.

My work flow as a beginner is to load Raw files into LR and use the auto feature to let the software edit the photo. After that I make some tweaks. I also sometimes open the photo up in photoshop or use the eraser tool. The AI modes are useful and I do use Enhance on all photos I edit. I also upload my favorite jpgs to Adobe Cloud.

I am up to trying capture one and just learning how to edit better. the loss of adobe cloud and photoshop is a downside tbh. I really dont want to pay for both at the same time. I could us Gimp and maybe Flickr or something.

I thought I've seen others mention fuji software that helps with editing in LR.
I'm assuming the free Fuji X capture one is limited?

How do you all edit? I want to come up with a workflow I feel good about. right now I find using enhance mode tiring. I spend so much time waiting.

I used to use LR. But I always found it a bit awkward to use. What I absolutely don't like is the hassle of loading images into the library or catalog.

Then I used C1 in the free version for Fuji. It also has the stupid catalog, but otherwise I liked it better. It's also good if you like the Fuji film simulations and want to use them inm post.
Since I also want to edit images from other cameras, the Fuji version is not enough.
So the question was: either buy a full version of C1 or LR?
(of course there are many other programs. I have tried a few, I still have to try others)
I haven't used LR for a long time because I don't like the cloud requirement.

Now that there is no longer any cloud requirement with LR and I no longer have to go the nonsensical route via the library and can access all the images on the PC directly, I pay for the LR full version. At the moment I'm quite happy with it.

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

Nobody can tell you what is the best software is for you. Everything has advantages and disadvantages. Which type of operation you like more is subjective.
Whether a picture is “better” is also very subjective. But I think you can achieve very similar results with all programs.

 

[bastibe]

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

You can easily use Capture One without a catalog. Create a Session (anywhere), then use Capture One's file browser to navigate to any old directory on your computer. You'll not use the Session itself at all. All the editing metadata goes into a subdirectory next to each file.

It sounds weird at first, but it's a very common use case for Capture One, and works just as if it had always meant to be like that.

 

[flow chi]

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

You can easily use Capture One without a catalog. Create a Session (anywhere), then use Capture One's file browser to navigate to any old directory on your computer. You'll not use the Session itself at all. All the editing metadata goes into a subdirectory next to each file.

It sounds weird at first, but it's a very common use case for Capture One, and works just as if it had always meant to be like that.

Thanks for the help. I'll try that.

But isn't it just the same hassle to create a session?
With LR I can easily access any file.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

For many years, Lightroom Classic with X-Trans demosaicing using Iridient-Transformer (from within Lightroom), but only on the keepers - and usually after some initial development/cropping done in the culling stage. Every bit as good (or better) as Capture One, in most respects, IMO. X-Transformer can spit out a demosaiced DNG to finish up editing with in a couple of seconds with on my soon to be retired 12 year old PC, a good alternative to the Enhance Detail feature if your computer is slow (much smaller files too).

 

[bastibe]

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

You can easily use Capture One without a catalog. Create a Session (anywhere), then use Capture One's file browser to navigate to any old directory on your computer. You'll not use the Session itself at all. All the editing metadata goes into a subdirectory next to each file.

It sounds weird at first, but it's a very common use case for Capture One, and works just as if it had always meant to be like that.

Thanks for the help. I'll try that.

But isn't it just the same hassle to create a session?
With LR I can easily access any file.

You create the session only once, then never touch it again. After that, you use Capture One's file browser to navigate to directories. No more importing anything.

In essence, it makes Capture One feel like ON1 or DxO, which (IIRC) just have a file browser, but no catalog to speak of.

 

[xtm]

My preferred way is I set the camera to JPG, select film simulation, and then shoot.

 

[Chris Dubea]

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

You can easily use Capture One without a catalog. Create a Session (anywhere), then use Capture One's file browser to navigate to any old directory on your computer. You'll not use the Session itself at all. All the editing metadata goes into a subdirectory next to each file.

It sounds weird at first, but it's a very common use case for Capture One, and works just as if it had always meant to be like that.

This is how I use Capture One as well.

One caveat, after a while C1 will get very slow and lethargic. What happens C1 logs data on the session database even though you don't import them.

I created a base session and made all my just adjustments. Then I made a zip file of the session database and underlying folders.

When C1 gets slow, delete the session database and underlying folders. Unzip the archive in their place and there you go.

All your developments and such are contained in side cars either in under the folder with your images so nothing is lost by deleting the session file.

The beauty of this is you are crash proof. If C1 crashes you lose virtually nothing.

 

[Bob1209]

My workflow is:

FastRawViewer to cull. Quick, no need to import, much less expensive than Photo Mechanic and just as good for a hobbyist.

Take my selections into DxO PureRAW to demosaic the RAW data.

Adobe Camera Raw to process.

Into Photoshop for anything extra (object removal, layer work, etc).

I dropped LrC because I didn't like the cataloging rigmarole since I usually ended up in Photoshop anyway (much better object removal in PS). I haven't seen any compelling reason to use Lr. I tried it and it just did not click with me.

I hope you find something you like.

 

[lewiedude2]

For many years, Lightroom Classic with X-Trans demosaicing using Iridient-Transformer (from within Lightroom), but only on the keepers - and usually after some initial development/cropping done in the culling stage.

so you use IxT as a plugin only after you do some tweaking of the raf file you’ve imported into LrC? I thought you were going from raf -> IxT -> LrC in the dng file created by IxT. I’ve begun using ACR to open the raf file from Bridge which is almost exactly like opening the raf in LrC (ACR is essentially the same). I deNoise AI the image right away in ACR before I make any edits, including sharpening.

I respect your process and over time have followed how you do it. My IxT is standalone and I’ve found ACR and deNoise in ACR almost always provides for more detail. I’ve done plenty of side by side testing and came to this conclusion.

Any clarity on your process is greatly appreciated.

Every bit as good (or better) as Capture One, in most respects, IMO. X-Transformer can spit out a demosaiced DNG to finish up editing with in a couple of seconds with on my soon to be retired 12 year old PC, a good alternative to the Enhance Detail feature if your computer is slow (much smaller files too).

 

[Yannis1976]

I know LR may not be the best but unless you pixel peep or zoom at 100% you can't actually notice the difference between LR and the best Fuji RAW editors. Personally, the good photos I am taking, I am posting them in Flickr, some in IG and all of them in two photo panels I have in my living room.

Can't see the difference there and to be honest even old photos with the FZ150 look great.

 

[BobsYourUncle]

For many years, Lightroom Classic with X-Trans demosaicing using Iridient-Transformer (from within Lightroom), but only on the keepers - and usually after some initial development/cropping done in the culling stage. Every bit as good (or better) as Capture One, in most respects, IMO. X-Transformer can spit out a demosaiced DNG to finish up editing with in a couple of seconds with on my soon to be retired 12 year old PC, a good alternative to the Enhance Detail feature if your computer is slow (much smaller files too).

This has basically been my workflow for years. I used to copy the RAFS into a directory, then run Iridient X-Transformer on all the files..... just get up from the chair, stretch a bit, walk around then return....but if there were a ton of photos I would then go to the kitchen and prepare a 5 course dinner before coming back and finish the processing.

Seriously, after the adjustments in LR I use Topaz as the final denoise and sharpening tool.... understanding there has been no sharpening or denoising of any file to that point.

 

[justinwonnacott]

ANY raw files I capture ,,,,,raw then into lightroom . LR is both a good digital asset manager and a reasonable editor if I am not compositing. LR is plenty good enough and it can be finessed a lot, let's face it....all raw processors work with the same data/camera files so although default processing may differ from one software publisher to another the programs can all give the same results when tweaked for your personal workflow. I can make my LR intake look like the competition easily enough ... it is just data. The less software I need the better and the DAM is great - probably the best I love being able to locate and identify stuff quickly and flexibly and my catalogue is about 300,000 images. I use the LR export for web a lot too.

Before the subscription model I updated my software about every year to18 months which was a PITA, the subscription stays up to date without much fuss. The subscription is cheap for me and I use it almost daily for my work. I love having the latest version available. I cannot be bothered fiddling with multiple software from different companies and I appreciate that I can operate everything within the adobe ecosystem.

The subscription model is not alien to most of us if we use a PC or Mac and I do not see what the problem is so long as I can still open my files in the future,

I do not use the cloud based service which I do not trust.

So... import to LR into the folder I want , cull, do any batch operations needed, keyword and tag the pics and do post in photoshop if necessary. Export from lR to client.

 

[Bill Ferris]

I use Lightroom Classic. The new denoise AI tool is outstanding.

Is this different than the tool in the "new" LR? (what is the name for the new version?)

It's called Denoise and was released as a new tool in version 12.3 of Lightroom Classic in April 2023.

Sharpening in LrC just takes a bit of time to establish where your thresholds reside with respect to the aberrations that can result from oversharpening. The mask tool in the detail panel is your friend.

Rather than abandon an app you know & enjoy for one that's an unknown, I recommend investing some time in developing your knowledge and skillset in LrC. It's the least time-consuming option. It's also free...only requires a bit of your time.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

For many years, Lightroom Classic with X-Trans demosaicing using Iridient-Transformer (from within Lightroom), but only on the keepers - and usually after some initial development/cropping done in the culling stage.

so you use IxT as a plugin only after you do some tweaking of the raf file you’ve imported into LrC? I thought you were going from raf -> IxT -> LrC in the dng file created by IxT. I’ve begun using ACR to open the raf file from Bridge which is almost exactly like opening the raf in LrC (ACR is essentially the same). I deNoise AI the image right away in ACR before I make any edits, including sharpening.

I respect your process and over time have followed how you do it. My IxT is standalone and I’ve found ACR and deNoise in ACR almost always provides for more detail. I’ve done plenty of side by side testing and came to this conclusion.

Any clarity on your process is greatly appreciated.

I have always imported my Fuji RAFs into Lightroom just like any other RAW files. I cull them the same too, which typically involves some preliminary editing/cropping to see if any particular file is going to be worth pursuing further. I mark each 'keeper" with a star and either process them individually or select them as a group to run through IXT (File > Plug-In Extras > Process Selected RAF(s) to DNG - not sure if this is the same in ACR). New Iridient DNGs appear next to their original RAF counterparts. Processing them this way, all the development settings applied up to that point to the RAFs are automatically applied to the new DNGs as well - they look identical, but with better demosaicing ..the whole "IXT/Lightroom hassle" consisting of a couple of mouse clicks and few seconds per file. I have been using this workflow with a bit of Topaz DeNoise when needed on the DNGs for a long time. It still works very well for me but I'll likely switch to Lightroom's new A.I. NR/demosaicing when I finally get my new computer up and running, at least for the really high ISO stuff.

 

[FujiJon]

Darktable.

 

[flow chi]

C1 is more expensive and has the stupid catalogs that I hate.

You can easily use Capture One without a catalog. Create a Session (anywhere), then use Capture One's file browser to navigate to any old directory on your computer. You'll not use the Session itself at all. All the editing metadata goes into a subdirectory next to each file.

It sounds weird at first, but it's a very common use case for Capture One, and works just as if it had always meant to be like that.

Thanks for the help. I'll try that.

But isn't it just the same hassle to create a session?
With LR I can easily access any file.

You create the session only once, then never touch it again. After that, you use Capture One's file browser to navigate to directories. No more importing anything.

Ah ok. Thank you.

In essence, it makes Capture One feel like ON1 or DxO, which (IIRC) just have a file browser, but no catalog to speak of.

 

[Cream17]

I ditched LR a long long time ago. I didn't want a subscription model and was not happy with the Adobe Blur engine on RAF files. Having to use plugins to get proper RAW conversion was a faff.

I used Capture One for a long time and again ditched it with the introduction of the subscription model.

I'm now using DXO which gives very nice results, but you have to be careful not to over cook the images. Results can be very good. Especially with the de-noise engine.

 

[Bob1209]

I ditched LR a long long time ago. I didn't want a subscription model and was not happy with the Adobe Blur engine on RAF files. Having to use plugins to get proper RAW conversion was a faff.

I used Capture One for a long time and again ditched it with the introduction of the subscription model.

I'm now using DXO which gives very nice results, but you have to be careful not to over cook the images. Results can be very good. Especially with the de-noise engine.

Musical chair syndrome. What's next once DxO goes subscription?

 

[dual12]

Me too. I save the RAW files, but haven't processed any in years.

 

[Nebell]

I have been using it for all my cameras. I like the simple interface which has all the options I need without cluttering with unnecessary stuff I don't need.

I pay about €17/month for all Adobe apps (student edition).