Optics and Light

The software is not for you. Many open source projects are not trying to be consumer Apple products, it is usually developers trying to scratch an itch. DT is ok but I prefer to use RawTherapy...

C1P never had access to Nikon's demosaicing secret sauce. That code is Nikon's secret weapon.

Epson Scan = why bother shooting film?

SilverFast = you have the money and want good color when you hit scan.

VueScan = inexpensive, best hight quality RAW scan, color is not as great, but when...

I use RawTherapee. If you actually take the time to learn how to use it is way powerful.

If you want a film look then take a look at a app called Raw Photo Processor (RPP64). There is a learning curve but it can deliver a good look.

Tried it and for what I do it is not worth it. I still shoot film and this is terrible with large scans (XnView handles just fine). I don't shoot enough events where I can justify the cost. If you...

Getting the free version to run well on Linux is no easy task. If you go the Linux route you are probably better off paying for a license.

I'll give it another look when it hits 3.0. I tried it out and I much prefer the results I get with ColorPerfect.

Very interested and would be willing to pay. I currently use a mix of Digikam, FastRawViewer, and XnView MP to manage my collection. I was never able to justify the price for Photo Mechanic but if...

There are a few different companies promising some sort of DAM solution (Affinity anyone) so maybe it not as easy? Also, DAM is just not as sexy as other type of apps though it probably one of the...

You can save XMP files with your images very easily. I did this when I moved everything over to Digikam and DK brought in all the metadata. I hope PM will do the same.

XnView MP is fast but I do run into issues from time to time where I am required to blow out the catalog meaning I have to re add everything if I want to use it to search all my photos (10+ years...

The Windows version is much better than the Mac version. I am using on both but will admit my Windows setup is much more powerful than Mac. I still use it for Mac because it is the best DAM I have...

Better for gloss prints. Some people like it.

@Entropy512 Yes it is. I am a happy RT user but I do like the Filmic module and what he has going on in there. There are a few other features I like in DT over RT but I love the simplicity of RT...

Not sure about Darktable but in RawTherapee you can download and use Adobe's lens correction profiles. Would be worth looking to see if this is a DT option.

Of the of the main developers wrote a great post on how artist must learn their tools. I have jumped around RAW processors over the years and to get the best out of any tool there is a learning...

I would say DK is more like Adobe Lightroom's Library module than Bridge. It can do a lot but I personally use it as a dam. You will have to go int and tag images to make the most of it. You can do...

Best photo renaming system out there, period. In fact I would love it if someone could break off their file renaming code into a app of it's own. It will rename linked files, i.e....

I have a PC with 24GB or RAM and a 8GB video card. DigiKam runs great on it. I would suggest you break up your collection by years to help digikam manage (you add collection folders in the settings).