Raw Conversion - DPP or Photoshop CS ?

[carl chandler]

When converting Raw Pictures, what is best Canon DPP or Photoshop

CS ?

[carl chandler]

Also is there another program which is better for converting Raw Pictures (workflow wise)?

[PuppyDigs]

It depends. I thought PSCS was a bit faster but DPP's initial image quality is better sans

tweaks. Files converted in PSCS always need more adjustment in PS. I prefer the RAW

parameter controls of DPP over PSCS but the slow thumbnails can drive you nuts if you're

working with a full folder. I normally work with both DPP and PS open anyway.

[andrew_carlson]

Capture one from Phase one. Beat DPP hands down far more control. As I only have PS 5.5 (why upgrade if it works?) I can't say anything about CS conversions.

 

I've been working towards changing my workflow from Adobe centric to PSP9 and Capture one - beats $700 for a single program of which I may use 15% of its abilities.

 

Both PSP and C1 have trial versions you can download, its just that things are different between the two apps. ctlr-L isn't levels anymore!

[jmichaelc]

I just couldn't imagine goint to anything other than PSCSII for large batches of photos. What use to take days on end, now takes just a couple of hours once you learn the process. My vote - PSCSII. I honestly believe there isn't a program out there that offers full photo processing with as much flexibility.

[wgpinc]

Along this line I have a PS Elements 3.0 question. When I download with the Elements 3.0 it will only download to my C drive and doesn't seem to let me specify my F or G drive where I do most of my picture work. So I have to move the pictures from my C drive to the F drive for instance. How can I get the Elements 3.0 to download directly to the F drive? This is keeping me from upgrading to CS. Thanks.

[byronlawrence]

using Adobe Raw compared to Canon DPP. personally I like the results from Adobe better. dpreview shows mildly better results (depending on your veiw point) from Adobe also (in the 20d review)

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos20d/page20.asp

 

so there you have it.

[KenPapai]

Without a doubt the PS CS2 RAW convertor is the best for Canon's RAWs. Buy a book and REALLY learn the process. CS2 pretty much rules the roost. Without a doubt that's my subjective but somewhat experienced opinion. Enjoy the extra latitude RAW gives you! TGIF, Ken

[mendel_leisk]

Another (decidedly inexperienced) vote for Adobe Raw. For most, I just allow it to do the 4 or so auto adjustments, which are very good for adjusting brightness, highlight recovery, shadow opening, contrast adjustment.

 

Some Rus. Brown tutorials here:

 

http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html

 

In particular:

 

CS2 Bridge Workflow and CS2 Camera RAW,

[andrew robertson]

Nothing even comes close to CS RAW.

 

Most other conversion tools lack what I think are basics like CA correction.

[doris_chan]

DPP is way better than many people give it credit for. If image quality is the most

important thing then DPP is a real contender. Try it and see if it gives you what you want.

[jespdj]

Some other RAW conversion programs:

 

<p><a href="http://www.pixmantec.com">RawShooter essentials</a> (free)<br>

<a href="http://www.breezesys.com">BreezeBrowser</a><br>

<a href="http://www.bibblelabs.com">Bibble</a>

 

<p>Which one is best depends on your personal preferences. Download trial versions, try them out and find out which one is best for you. I prefer <a href="http://www.phaseone.com">Capture One</a> myself.

[alexander ziegler]

If you want extensive control over your images and you know a little about digital imaging or you are prepared to learn about it use PSCS or Phase one or Raw Shooter. Else use DPP.

[bob_zuur]

Has anyone tried Rawshooter Essentials with less than the specified minimum system requirements? Can it operate with less than 512 MB RAM?

Bob

[allen_smith1]

Workflow!

 

CaptureOne is designed for RAW file processing and does it's one job very good. I would

not be shooting RAW if it were not for CaptureOne - it is that good.

 

The pros I've talked to pick C1 over PS and DPP. Some will tell you that DPP is closer to C1

in workflow, but until CS2 came out, most would not even touch RAW processing in

Photoshop. CS2 handles RAW better, I'm told, but from what I've seen of it, CS2 still does

not have the workflow capabilities of CaptureOne.

 

PhaseOne has a trial version. Download it and give it a try. You already have DPP, so

compare the two. I love Photoshop, but for workflow, CaptureOne/iViewMedia is hard to

beat.

 

My $0.02 worth...

[wiley]

The answer depends on a number of factors including:

- you preference for workflow

- how much manipulation of the image you want to do in the RAW converter vs. Photoshop

- your preference for the appearance of the final image

 

I like the workflow of Adobe Camera Raw, but in my experience working with RAW files

from the 20D and the 1Ds and 1Ds Mark II, the RAW converter in Photoshop CS2 produces

overly vivid (almost like 50s Kodachrome) colors by default. I think that the color is much

more accurate from either Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) or from CaptureOne

Pro. Or frankly even the older versions of Adobe Camera Raw. DPP seems to produce

'softer' files from all of my DSLRs.

 

I generally find the workflow in Digital Photo Pro annoying. That's driven me to

CaptureOne Pro.

 

There are some constructive reviews at:

 

http://www.sphoto.com/techinfo/rawconverters/pages/capture1dslr.htm

 

and

 

http://www.outbackphoto.com/artofraw/raw_14/essay.html

 

that compare some of the options for doing RAW conversions from various programs.

 

I actually use all of the above programs at various times because they each seem to have

their own interesting strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the RAW file and the final

result I'm trying to get, I'll change which RAW converter I use.

 

Your mileage may vary, etc.