SaveKodak
Well-known
Did they make any updates to the raw processing of X-Trans files between LR4 and LR5? I'm looking for a more compelling reason to upgrade at this time. Thanks! I am not interested in using a 3rd party raw processor because of the workflow nightmare it causes when dealing with lots of images at a time.
AdamJ
Newbie
I do not believe so, no. The final version of LR4 demosaic appears the same as LR5s, although there are other features of LR5 to consider.
I've actually gone back to shooting JPG as default on my X-E1 and use raw only when I believe I may need or want it later.
I've actually gone back to shooting JPG as default on my X-E1 and use raw only when I believe I may need or want it later.
rybolt
Well-known
AdamJ, Can I ask why you went back to jpegs as a default.
I just picked up an X Pro 1 and I'm struggling with which file format to shoot. On the Nikon DSLR's I only shoot NEF and process in CS6. I've been trying to shoot RAF files in the Fuji but am not having good results using Camera Raw. Somewhat better results with LR4. I haven't shot many jpegs but the few that I did shoot looked okay but I missed the fine tuning that I can do with a raw file.
I may wind up doing what you did so I'd value your experience.
I just picked up an X Pro 1 and I'm struggling with which file format to shoot. On the Nikon DSLR's I only shoot NEF and process in CS6. I've been trying to shoot RAF files in the Fuji but am not having good results using Camera Raw. Somewhat better results with LR4. I haven't shot many jpegs but the few that I did shoot looked okay but I missed the fine tuning that I can do with a raw file.
I may wind up doing what you did so I'd value your experience.
GaryLH
Veteran
Some of the forums have been mentioning that adobe made betting adjustments in the version of sw they support for their rental model.
If u are a mac user try aperture, iridium, or RPP. If a windows, then capture one if u are ok w/ moving to a different sw package.
Gary
If u are a mac user try aperture, iridium, or RPP. If a windows, then capture one if u are ok w/ moving to a different sw package.
Gary
rybolt
Well-known
Thanks for the advice Gary. I'm a Mac guy and pretty locked into LR for workflow reasons. I did download a trial of Iridient and it worked okay but not much better, if any better, than LR. I hat to buy Aperture without knowing for sure it's going to be the best choice.
On another note, I just dug out an old 52mm linear Nikon Polarizer and tried it on the 35mm lens and danged if it didn't work great. You have to use the LCD screen to get the proper viewing but I was thrilled to see it work correctly. As soon as my 52-77 step rings get here I'm going to try out the Singh-Ray Vario ND filter.
On another note, I just dug out an old 52mm linear Nikon Polarizer and tried it on the 35mm lens and danged if it didn't work great. You have to use the LCD screen to get the proper viewing but I was thrilled to see it work correctly. As soon as my 52-77 step rings get here I'm going to try out the Singh-Ray Vario ND filter.
GaryLH
Veteran
Take a raf file into a mac store and open aperture. That's what all those macs at the store are for.. Not just to sell new hw but their sw as well 
Gary
Gary
AdamJ
Newbie
I think it was a bit too much wishful thinking on my end to say I'm shooting JPG by default, but I use it often, that is certain.
Intially my problem was getting my RAF development in LR to come close to the overall detail I could get from the SOOC JPG. It wasn't until recently that I've been able to get nearly equal.
Essentially I was presented with a choice of either getting excellent detail and the color rendering I want at the risk of not having the dynamic range and color adjustment capabilities of RAW - OR getting those adjustment capabilities but struggling with color tone and fine detail (especially foliage).
I've since found that using the HueLight color profile (available for $10) combined with my modified sharpening settings (compared to my other cameras) gives me results I like as much or more than JPGs. The Adobe default profile is horrible to me, really bad with oranges, yellows, blues and purples. The HueLight profile fixes that. For sharpening I use 70, 1.2, 10, 60 and its a great initial sharpening setting for me with minimal sharpening halos or 'watercolor' effects, I apply output sharpening when I export to JPG and the images look excellent (I don't normally with my other cameras)
I've tried Capture One and I own Aperture, both do a better job at fine details than LR but the gap between them is very narrow, but I don't think I'm willing to switch my library/catalog to either:
1. Capture One Pro doesn't show you the contents of a subfolder tree. So in my case I have folder tree that is 2013/08-Aug/FamilyParty and 2013/08-Aug/ClientJob4. If you click on 08-Aug folder you will see NOTHING. You have to click on the bottom level folders to view contents. At first I thought this is no big deal, but after trying to use it as my primary library for a couple weeks I realized this is a huge burden. I've also found when opening my catalog you can see it 'count' the number of images as if its loading information, I have 22,000 images in this catalog and it takes around 120 seconds to finish counting. I can't wait 2 minutes to open Capture One every time. I opened a ticket with support but basically they say they hope to improve that in the future.
2. Aperture has a great DAM workflow and I love the user interface, but it struggles with other aspects of image processing. It is really not good with noise, at all, while the X-Trans is low noise to begin with it still struggles with some of my images. It doesn't have lens correction tools. It's ability to recover from shadows and pull down highlights is a fraction of what LR can do. The biggest one - it has no adjustment history, change something and if you don't undo it right away you won't have any way to remember what you had it set to.
Basically Capture One gives me the best image quality - but LR5 is now 96-98% as good for me - but you lose out on speed and catalog features of LR. Aperture does great detail as well, has in my opinion a better user interface and a very robust library system, but much more limited RAW processing.
Hope that helps!
Intially my problem was getting my RAF development in LR to come close to the overall detail I could get from the SOOC JPG. It wasn't until recently that I've been able to get nearly equal.
Essentially I was presented with a choice of either getting excellent detail and the color rendering I want at the risk of not having the dynamic range and color adjustment capabilities of RAW - OR getting those adjustment capabilities but struggling with color tone and fine detail (especially foliage).
I've since found that using the HueLight color profile (available for $10) combined with my modified sharpening settings (compared to my other cameras) gives me results I like as much or more than JPGs. The Adobe default profile is horrible to me, really bad with oranges, yellows, blues and purples. The HueLight profile fixes that. For sharpening I use 70, 1.2, 10, 60 and its a great initial sharpening setting for me with minimal sharpening halos or 'watercolor' effects, I apply output sharpening when I export to JPG and the images look excellent (I don't normally with my other cameras)
I've tried Capture One and I own Aperture, both do a better job at fine details than LR but the gap between them is very narrow, but I don't think I'm willing to switch my library/catalog to either:
1. Capture One Pro doesn't show you the contents of a subfolder tree. So in my case I have folder tree that is 2013/08-Aug/FamilyParty and 2013/08-Aug/ClientJob4. If you click on 08-Aug folder you will see NOTHING. You have to click on the bottom level folders to view contents. At first I thought this is no big deal, but after trying to use it as my primary library for a couple weeks I realized this is a huge burden. I've also found when opening my catalog you can see it 'count' the number of images as if its loading information, I have 22,000 images in this catalog and it takes around 120 seconds to finish counting. I can't wait 2 minutes to open Capture One every time. I opened a ticket with support but basically they say they hope to improve that in the future.
2. Aperture has a great DAM workflow and I love the user interface, but it struggles with other aspects of image processing. It is really not good with noise, at all, while the X-Trans is low noise to begin with it still struggles with some of my images. It doesn't have lens correction tools. It's ability to recover from shadows and pull down highlights is a fraction of what LR can do. The biggest one - it has no adjustment history, change something and if you don't undo it right away you won't have any way to remember what you had it set to.
Basically Capture One gives me the best image quality - but LR5 is now 96-98% as good for me - but you lose out on speed and catalog features of LR. Aperture does great detail as well, has in my opinion a better user interface and a very robust library system, but much more limited RAW processing.
Hope that helps!