john_markanich Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>I've done the research and still can't decide. I see some advantages/disadvantages to each of these three programs but nothing definitive that would exclude one or the other. I already have CS5 so that would be a $$ advantage, it already works and will get seamlessly updated in the future I'm sure but the controls are not extensive. Please help me route out the deal-breaker between:<br> Photomatix Pro<br> NIK HDR Efex Pro<br> CS5's Merge to HDR Pro </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Gierman Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>One vote for Nik HDR EfexPro. It works great and intuitively.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curt wiler Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>At this moment, I would recommend HDR Express as the quickest and easiest, and probably the best for first-time HDR users. I have started using it when I have several images to do and don't need the power of NIK HDR Efex Pro. Otherwise, I second the vote for Nik, it is more powerful but the interface is just a bit more time-consuming.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruced530 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>May want to consider SNS-HDR pro, it gets rave reviews at HDR-Labs <a href="http://www.hdrlabs.com/news/index.php?id=8523427427292113719">http://www.hdrlabs.com/news/index.php?id=8523427427292113719</a><br> plus they have added a masking feature now as well.<br> I still use Photomatix myself, as well as the HDR merge feature in PS CS3, but I still think all of them are just the first step, as none really are the start to finish for an HDR image.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stp Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>Another vote for Nik -- an easy, intuitive, yet powerful program.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_ferris Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 <p>I tried them all before buying, for the images I needed, Photomatix Pro was the clear winner. My needs dictated a realistic looking exposure blend rather than tone mapping though so your milage may vary. Basically there are fans of each program, it really boils down to your images and what you want them to look like.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann_clancy6 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 <p>I have been testing Photoengine these days and it is very realistic without a lot of work.</p> <p>Like Scott I believe it comes down to personal vision. I must have at least a half dozen programs and use them for different effects.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_ghio Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 <p>I have all three. Different results for different needs.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_gallagher Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 <p>We have found that Photomatix works well for us, although we tend to use it mildly to make photos that (hopefully) still look natural and not "cooked". We also have CS5 but find the HDR function less intuitive to use, although I can't say we spent that much time trying.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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