Best Black and white software for Leica M8 raw files.

[eleskin]

What is the best and most reasonably priced software (Mac OSX latest version) for opening M8 raw files and converting them to black and white?

 

[MatthewThompson]

I've had good luck with Silver Efx from Nik, but it's an Aperture plugin.

 

[Wiyum]

Do you have any image processing software already? Capture One will do a fine (many insist the best) job, and probably came with the camera. Others claim Aperture is best.

Few seem to think that the absolute best output comes from Lightroom/Photoshop's Camera Raw, but many, myself included, enjoy the software enough to overlook what might be minor shortcomings in final output. You really have to be pixel peeping to see most of this stuff in my experience (which isn't from an M8 fwiw).

But if you are serious about black and white conversion and have Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture, then grab Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro (or, for not much more, the Nik complete collection, much of which is rather useful and makes for a clean workflow). The tools available in Silver Efex are simply terrific, and produce some stunning results. My demo's expired and I'm hoping to grab it once I've got some extra money to spend.

 

[tbarker13]

I'd have to agree. Silver effex is not cheap. But it's quite good.

I used to just do my B&W conversions in Capture One (and still do for quick bulk editing), but if I'm going to do any serious B&W work, I use Silver Efex.

 

[MCTuomey]

anyone use the JFI profiles with Capture One?

 

[tbarker13]

anyone use the JFI profiles with Capture One?

I do have them. And if I weren't using Silver Efex, that would be my B&W weapon of choice.

 

[tbarker13]

Expanding on my last answer. What I like most about the Nik software are the film emulating filters. When I apply them, there is a definitive change in the image. It is much more noticeable than when I use the film emulators from the JFI profiles in Capture One. With the JFI processing, sometimes I feel like there's not much change from one filter to the next.
If I get some time, I'd love to do some comparisons - processing the same file with several Nik filters, compared with JFI processing.

 

[Gawain Hewitt]

I've been quite enjoying the "andy" plugin in bibble, haven't had it long but you can choose film type, paper type and grade, chemicals, temperature and many others. I'm not that keen on the bibble workflow though. Upside is you can download a month trial of bibble for free which includes the lite version of the plugin.

 

[MCTuomey]

If I get some time, I'd love to do some comparisons - processing the same file with several Nik filters, compared with JFI processing.

Same here. I was hoping to do so later this month but may not get to it. Would love to see it.

 

[mikenic]

Silver Fx Pro in CS4 works for me. Nice B&W film emulation if you need it.

 

[Keith]

I saw some monochrome images from a Sigma DP-1 posted in another thread the other day ... they were superb and seemed to have the tonal range that I normally find lacking in digi black and whites.

Apparently they were processed with Silver Efex .... I've always been a "it has to be film" for black and white sort of person ... there's a few gaps in that theory for me now! 😛

 

[Jeff S]

I saw some monochrome images from a Sigma DP-1 posted in another thread the other day ... they were superb and seemed to have the tonal range that I normally find lacking in digi black and whites.

Apparently they were processed with Silver Efex .... I've always been a "it has to be film" for black and white sort of person ... there's a few gaps in that theory for me now! 😛

For me, the real proof is in the print. And, a big part of bw tonal range is based on the quality of the printer, printer drive, paper and paper profile and ink set. I have a friend using Cone inks (with lots of different blacks) on an old Epson, and that...along with these other variables... seems to make more difference than Silver Efex or any other front-end software makes. Maybe still not up to the best darkroom work, but getting better all the time. And. of course, the talents of the person behind the printer helps a wee bit.

Jeff

 

[Wiyum]

I saw some monochrome images from a Sigma DP-1 posted in another thread the other day ... they were superb and seemed to have the tonal range that I normally find lacking in digi black and whites.

Apparently they were processed with Silver Efex .... I've always been a "it has to be film" for black and white sort of person ... there's a few gaps in that theory for me now! 😛

Keith,

Though we've never interacted on here, I've checked out enough of your stuff to feel comfortable telling you that you'd love the Hell out of Silver Efex. Grab the demo. I know I'd love to see what you and your m8 can do with Silver Efex.