Which RAW Processing Software do you use for better outputs

[AnuragB]

As we are in lock down

I dig my arcives and find many photos from 2015-2019

Many of them are from different cameras D7100, D5600 and D750.

Now I only use D750.

Recently I got my Adobe Camera Raw 12.3 update on the other hand Capture one provides free express edition for Nikon users.

So my question is which software is best for getting better accurate skin tone ,colors as well as black and white for Nikon only?

Or do you use or reccomend something else.

Let's have a proper discussion here.

Thank you in advance.

 

[I a n]

I am very happy with Capture One Pro. I originally picked it when I was looking to escape the subscription only change that Adobe chose to do with the selling of LR. After using it I am very happy with it. The way the product works using layers is intuitive and I prefer it over the LR way. The colour editing is very nice and I am able to do things in C1 that I could not get done in LR.

There are some performance issues with C1 around image searching but have mostly found workarounds for them. There is nothing that I miss and I continue to learn new things that C1 can do.

 

[anotherMike]

None of them or all of them.

The reality is that people get really tied up in choosing and then promoting "their" raw processing software, and sure, I have as well (I dislike Adobe raw conversion software and prefer Nikon NX-D or Capture One), but frankly, it's mostly irrelevant. The better thing to do, that nobody talks about, is working on improving *you*, as in, getting *better* at post processing, which means not only the raw conversion, but what you do afterwards. Learning how to sharpen with restraint and based upon the output medium, learning how very subtle adjustments in photoshop will make vastly more difference than any difference in raw conversion software, the list goes on. I don't like Adobe raw conversion software, as an example, but if you forced me to use it, I could, and still get really, really close in quality as what I get today - it might take me longer, but I could do it, because I know that the primary factor in getting "better outputs" isn't the brand of the raw software, but *me*.

Think about that for a bit...

-m

 

[yray]

Thanks for the tips! I did download a trial version of C1 Pro, and now I see what you were trying to tell me. Makes a huge difference in usability in my opinion. Regards.

Now that you trying it, the other hint is that while in C1 you can mark system folders as favourites, (right click on the folder) which will load every time you open the "C1_viewer".

This is useful for a project that may be across several folders that you are currently working on. You will see them in the C1 favourites list and by selecting the "all images" option, you will see all the images from all the folders in a single grid view.

At the end of the project you remove the folders from the favourites and they no longer load.

Good luck,

Cheers,

Graham

Well, Graham, all I can say is that you opened my eyes, I've been using CaptureOne over the last few weeks and found that I enjoy it maybe a bit too much ;-) Works really well both with my Nikons and my Fujis. Once I got the hang of it, I found it quite intuitive, and almost stopped using all my other image processing software.

To all others who may happen to read this post, I just want to suggest you do not, under any circumstances, judge C1 software by its free version, download and try the full version, and only then see what you think,

 

[myotisone]

Well, Graham, all I can say is that you opened my eyes, I've been using CaptureOne over the last few weeks and found that I enjoy it maybe a bit too much ;-) Works really well both with my Nikons and my Fujis. Once I got the hang of it, I found it quite intuitive, and almost stopped using all my other image processing software.

To all others who may happen to read this post, I just want to suggest you do not, under any circumstances, judge C1 software by its free version, download and try the full version, and only then see what you think,

I'm glad you are enjoying it.

I know what you mean about maybe enjoying it too much, as I find myself doing things in C1, because its easy and "good enough", when I know I should really be round tripping to Photoshop, which I also enjoy using, so always pleased once I get there, but there often seems little incentive to leave C1.

Cheers,

Graham

 

[twamers]

Thanks for the tips! I did download a trial version of C1 Pro, and now I see what you were trying to tell me. Makes a huge difference in usability in my opinion. Regards.

Now that you trying it, the other hint is that while in C1 you can mark system folders as favourites, (right click on the folder) which will load every time you open the "C1_viewer".

This is useful for a project that may be across several folders that you are currently working on. You will see them in the C1 favourites list and by selecting the "all images" option, you will see all the images from all the folders in a single grid view.

At the end of the project you remove the folders from the favourites and they no longer load.

Good luck,

Cheers,

Graham

Well, Graham, all I can say is that you opened my eyes, I've been using CaptureOne over the last few weeks and found that I enjoy it maybe a bit too much ;-) Works really well both with my Nikons and my Fujis. Once I got the hang of it, I found it quite intuitive, and almost stopped using all my other image processing software.

To all others who may happen to read this post, I just want to suggest you do not, under any circumstances, judge C1 software by its free version, download and try the full version, and only then see what you think,

I've tried the full version of C1. After that l bought DXO Photolab Elite 3 which for me l found l have better results from. Most of the major software packages today are actually very good. I didn't choose C1 not because it wasn't good but for me l found DXO easier to use and got better results from it. I couldn't be happier.

 

[RBFresno]

As we are in lock down

I dig my arcives and find many photos from 2015-2019

Many of them are from different cameras D7100, D5600 and D750.

Now I only use D750.

Recently I got my Adobe Camera Raw 12.3 update on the other hand Capture one provides free express edition for Nikon users.

So my question is which software is best for getting better accurate skin tone ,colors as well as black and white for Nikon only?

Or do you use or reccomend something else.

Let's have a proper discussion here.

Thank you in advance.

HI!

I use several RAW converters. But my favorite is PhotoNinja.

PhotoNinja Homepage

(Others that I use include DXO/Photolab, NX-D, Capture1 as well as the converters embedded in other software such as PTGUi, )

Compared to other converters that I've used, it has great output, and it's fast,/easy.

Works well as a Photoshop plug in/

(They don't appear to be as good at marketing as some other choices; don't let that deter you from trying it)

Prior PhotoNinja Comments

BTW, your portraits will likely depend less on which RAW converter you use, than how well you photograph and then process the image.

I know of no RAW converter that has a "best portrait" button that would appeal to the tastes of all users

Best Regards,

RB

--
http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges
https://www.nikonimages.com/member-photos/532

 

[David Lal]

RB, I'm not a portraitist (except accidentally) but I liked all your pictures. I'm not sure whether the [Elizabethan?} man in #1 or the bubble blowing, doll-like [Geisha?] in #2 is my favourite.

 

[RBFresno]

RB, I'm not a portraitist (except accidentally) but I liked all your pictures. I'm not sure whether the [Elizabethan?} man in #1 or the bubble blowing, doll-like [Geisha?] in #2 is my favourite.

Thanks David,

FWIW, I don't consider myself a portrait photographer (I've only shot in a studio once, and don't own any lighting beyond a couple of Nikon speedlights and 2 profoto A1's...no umbrellas, beauty dishes, etc)

Most my portraits are just available light with a little fill flash

Best Regards,

RB

http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges

NikonImages

Discover the artistry of Nikon photography. Join a community of passionate photographers sharing breathtaking images, tips, and insights using Nikon cameras and lenses.

www.nikonimages.com

 

[larrywilson]

RB, I'm not a portraitist (except accidentally) but I liked all your pictures. I'm not sure whether the [Elizabethan?} man in #1 or the bubble blowing, doll-like [Geisha?] in #2 is my favourite.

Thanks David,

FWIW, I don't consider myself a portrait photographer (I've only shot in a studio once, and don't own any lighting beyond a couple of Nikon speedlights and 2 profoto A1's...no umbrellas, beauty dishes, etc)

Most my portraits are just available light with a little fill flash

Best Regards,

RB

http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges
https://www.nikonimages.com/member-photos/532

Stay well RB, and stay out of Oregon ha ha!!!

Larry

 

[RBFresno]

RB, I'm not a portraitist (except accidentally) but I liked all your pictures. I'm not sure whether the [Elizabethan?} man in #1 or the bubble blowing, doll-like [Geisha?] in #2 is my favourite.

Thanks David,

FWIW, I don't consider myself a portrait photographer (I've only shot in a studio once, and don't own any lighting beyond a couple of Nikon speedlights and 2 profoto A1's...no umbrellas, beauty dishes, etc)

Most my portraits are just available light with a little fill flash

Best Regards,

RB

http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges
https://www.nikonimages.com/member-photos/532

Stay well RB, and stay out of Oregon ha ha!!!

Larry

Hi Larry!

With this pandemic, I'm staying away from lots of places lately!

However, I did get a chance to visit my daughter when she was working in Portland last year, and of course was able to scout out a few places to take some pictures:

The Famous Multnomah Falls:

Japanese Tea Garden



View[point Overlooking the Columbia



Pano (Click on Image for Higher Rez):



More Tea Garden:



Me (Photo by my Daughter):



Take care and Best Regards,

RB

--
http://www.dpreview.com/members/2305099006/challenges
https://www.nikonimages.com/member-photos/532

 

[larrywilson]

Beautiful images, glad I live in western Oregon. Who's that handsome guy on the bridge? You can visit, just don't stay.

Larry

 

[goosel]

Thanks for the tips! I did download a trial version of C1 Pro, and now I see what you were trying to tell me. Makes a huge difference in usability in my opinion. Regards.

Now that you trying it, the other hint is that while in C1 you can mark system folders as favourites, (right click on the folder) which will load every time you open the "C1_viewer".

This is useful for a project that may be across several folders that you are currently working on. You will see them in the C1 favourites list and by selecting the "all images" option, you will see all the images from all the folders in a single grid view.

At the end of the project you remove the folders from the favourites and they no longer load.

Good luck,

Cheers,

Graham

Well, Graham, all I can say is that you opened my eyes, I've been using CaptureOne over the last few weeks and found that I enjoy it maybe a bit too much ;-) Works really well both with my Nikons and my Fujis. Once I got the hang of it, I found it quite intuitive, and almost stopped using all my other image processing software.

To all others who may happen to read this post, I just want to suggest you do not, under any circumstances, judge C1 software by its free version, download and try the full version, and only then see what you think,

Be carefull though.

Colors in C1 are quite different. Especially Yellow tones are extremely difficult to get right. When I have critical yellows i convert with nx-d (how i miss nx2) and then process further in C1.