On Sep 13, 2005, at 9:35 AM, Fred wrote:
I use my PSEL3 for Raw converting.
Is the Pentax software so crummy for RAW converting that it is
worth using
something else?
Pentax Lab 2.1 works. It's slow and very clumsy to use, however, and
I don't see any particular advantage to using it that's worth dealing
with the slow/clumsyness. It's only saving grace is that it's free
with the camera. I have it installed, I've used it once or twice, but
find it too clumsy and difficult to bother with.
Adobe's Camera Raw plug-in is much easier to use and produces better
results, in my opinion. If you already have Photoshop Elements 3 or
Photoshop CS(2), it is the sensible choice as it is free as well.
With Photoshop CS2, it presents a fully integrated workflow from
browsing files with the Bridge preview application to RAW conversion
to image editing post-Conversion, and can be fully automated/
customized through the Photoshop scripting interface.
Since we're on the subject:
- Pixmantec's RawShooter Essentials is also free and many people like
it. It only runs on Windows so I can't say how it compares to Camera
1, Pentax Lab or Camera Raw.
- Phase One's Camera 1 Pro and LE are the choice of many
professionals. They have an easy workflow for batch processing RAW
files, useful for when you have a lot of work to get out quickly.
I've got the evaluation copies of both but haven't spent any time
with them. They're not free.
- VueScan isn't free but does a very good job of RAW conversion for
those that use it a lot and understand the interface. It is complex
but does very well, operates well as a background process with a huge
number of files in batch mode too.
- The Open Source "dcraw" by Dave Coffin is free and does a good job.
Pieces of the dcraw source base have been used by all of the above,
and others, in their RAW conversion algorithms.
There are others as well. I stick with Photoshop and Camera Raw as I
find them high quality, easy to understand, feature rich, and well
supported.
Godfrey
