ampguy
Veteran
Has anyone got any tips on quick raw development (batch or a few seconds per frame) for RD-1 sensor cameras? (Actually using a Pentax *ist DL with same sensor).
The reason is, like the R-D1 original firmware, the *ist DL takes only RAW or JPG, so shooting in raw 100% of the time needs some digital processing.
I'm very pleased with the JPG of the *ist DL but have only printed to 8x10. I also don't use Photoshop, mainly Picasa right now which can't do raw.
Thanks for any suggestions. I guess I should load up that cd-rom that came with the Pentax...
The reason is, like the R-D1 original firmware, the *ist DL takes only RAW or JPG, so shooting in raw 100% of the time needs some digital processing.
I'm very pleased with the JPG of the *ist DL but have only printed to 8x10. I also don't use Photoshop, mainly Picasa right now which can't do raw.
Thanks for any suggestions. I guess I should load up that cd-rom that came with the Pentax...
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
One answer is to use a raw-based management program such as Adobe Lightroom or Apple Aperture (the latter is for MacOS only.) These are able to read raw files on-the-fly and display them in a catalog view so you can evaluate and select your best shots. They also include tools for adjusting the cropping, exposure and color balance of raw images, either one at a time or in groups.
The idea behind these programs is that you can quickly look through all your images, choose the most promising, apply a quick batch correction to them to get them 'in the ballpark,' then spend more time finessing the adjustments of the best ones. The logic of it is a lot like Picasa, except that it works with raw files.
If you've got an image that needs pixel-level retouching, localized correction, advanced distortion control, etc., you'll still need to move it into a pixel editor such as Adobe Photoshop.
One way these raw-management applications are UNlike Picasa is that they're pretty pricey: standard price for either one is about US$300, although there's currently an intro price for Lightroom that's $100 less. Worth noting in case you ever get an R-D 1 is that Lightroom will work with R-D 1 raw files, while Aperture doesn't recognize them in stock form - you can do some minor hacking that will get it to see them, but the results are still sub-optimal IMO.
If you don't want to spend quite that much money, you can use some type of batch raw-to-JPEG converter (such as one you'll probably find on your camera's software disc) to convert your raw files to JPEG and then use Picasa to manage them. You'll need to archive the raw files as well as the JPEG files so that if you've got a super-nice image that you want to print large or enhance, you can go back to the original raw file to get the best possible quality. Having to keep track of two matching sets of files, raw and JPEG, made me decide it's worth spending the money for a raw image management program, but that's an individual decision that depends on your preferences and budget.
The idea behind these programs is that you can quickly look through all your images, choose the most promising, apply a quick batch correction to them to get them 'in the ballpark,' then spend more time finessing the adjustments of the best ones. The logic of it is a lot like Picasa, except that it works with raw files.
If you've got an image that needs pixel-level retouching, localized correction, advanced distortion control, etc., you'll still need to move it into a pixel editor such as Adobe Photoshop.
One way these raw-management applications are UNlike Picasa is that they're pretty pricey: standard price for either one is about US$300, although there's currently an intro price for Lightroom that's $100 less. Worth noting in case you ever get an R-D 1 is that Lightroom will work with R-D 1 raw files, while Aperture doesn't recognize them in stock form - you can do some minor hacking that will get it to see them, but the results are still sub-optimal IMO.
If you don't want to spend quite that much money, you can use some type of batch raw-to-JPEG converter (such as one you'll probably find on your camera's software disc) to convert your raw files to JPEG and then use Picasa to manage them. You'll need to archive the raw files as well as the JPEG files so that if you've got a super-nice image that you want to print large or enhance, you can go back to the original raw file to get the best possible quality. Having to keep track of two matching sets of files, raw and JPEG, made me decide it's worth spending the money for a raw image management program, but that's an individual decision that depends on your preferences and budget.
ampguy
Veteran
Thanks jlw, any thoughts on the latest version of Elements? Also, you mention having to select some, is it possible to select all for conversion with lightroom?
jtzordon
clicking away
No curves on Elements; I can't stand that.
jobo
Established
Sure. You first filter which photos you want to display on the "lightbox", by date, shoot, collection and/or rating, then you can select any or all (Ctrl-a) of the pictures on the lightbox to "develop" them. I've only used the Lightroom beta which is OK, must say I preferred Rawshooter before it got borged by Adobe though.ampguy said:
2c, /Jobo
jobo
Established
Sure. You first filter which photos you want to display on the "lightbox", by date, shoot, collection and/or rating, then you can select any or all (Ctrl-a) of the pictures on the lightbox to "develop" them. I've only used the Lightroom beta which is OK, must say I preferred Rawshooter before it got borged by Adobe though.ampguy said:
2c, /Jobo
ampguy
Veteran
Do any of these raw utilities have a 1-click fix-up like Picasa?
kbg32
neo-romanticist
The new version of Photoshop - CS3 for Intel Macs, has some pretty neat one step fixes. Won't be available until sometime next month.
Tuolumne
Veteran
I, too, like the quick one click fixes for color, contrast, and the catch all "I'm feeling lucky" in Picassa. If more of the raw converters had those I'd be much more likely to shoot in raw mode. I just don't have the time to optomize each pic by multiple steps.
T.
T.
ampguy
Veteran
Yes, it's fast and works well
Yes, it's fast and works well
I think the latest Elements has it, but not sure if it works in raw mode, or if it works as well as the picasa 'feeling lucky' fixes.
Yes, it's fast and works well
I think the latest Elements has it, but not sure if it works in raw mode, or if it works as well as the picasa 'feeling lucky' fixes.
Tuolumne said: