Shooting RAW - software comparison update

Using the Canon 5D I've now been able to try out Canon's own RAW processing software. I can therefore update my earlier article on using different software to process RAW files.

After fairly unscientific investigation my personal conclusion is that Canon's Digital Photo Professional package, which comes with the EOS 5D is pretty good. Without having to tweak anything at all the results are very impressive. The shadows contain a bit more noise than the default setting in Capture One produces but I could see a little bit more detail, which compensates. Furthermore it's important to note that Canon's software does not appear to have the range and sophistication of the tools that Capture One has.

I see uses for all of the software packages. I do like the slide show feature in RAW Shooter.

So nothing is perfect and each program requires 'processing' work but my own preference at the moment is for Canon's proprietary software for quick and easy processing. I'm afraid I was not keen on the results from RAW Shooter 2006 although with a bit more work they will also no doubt yield an adequate result.

Once again I need to emphasise that the above is a personal and unscientific conclusion based on trying to make things as quick and easy as possible, while still getting great results.

I'd welcome hearing your views on RAW processing software.

Cheers for now,

Paul

Comments

Beyond the obvious said…

I see that some of my older posts are still being read. The one above is now thoroughly out of date. We know how quickly things move on.

So what do I use now? Lightroom and CS3. Occasionally I use Gimp and associated RAW converters and on my Linux machine Picasa can be useful.

All the best,
Paul

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