Photoshop CS RAW converter, quality?

[pix0r]

Hi-

I just tried out Photoshop CS for the first time last night, and I was a little disappointed with the results I got from the RAW converter. I did a little research and I saw a thread here (I think) in which someone explained that the default settings in the PS CS converter don't work very well, and you always have to tweak them. Is this true? Does anyone actually use the Photoshop RAW converter, and do you always have to tweak settings?

I exported RAW images to 16bit TIFFs using both Canon's file viewer and BreezeBrowser, and compared the two with Photoshop's converted 16bit TIFF. The first two are nearly identical (all 3 I used default settings) and Photoshop looks very washed out, much less contrast, and the highlights are too bright. Is there a way to FIX IT?? I would Love to use PS CS as my only tool in editing -- that would simplify things, but I don't want to try to tweak the settings every time.

Even after tweaking settings in PS CS, I couldn't get the same rich colors *and* contrast that the other two software packages produced.

If anyone could fill me in a bit.. that would be great. I can post example images later tonight, and perhaps dig up a few links that kind of clarify what I'm talking about.

Thanks
-Mike

[dtrayers]

It partially depends on your monitor and if it's calibrated.

Notwithstanding, the general consensus is that the CS converted images, with the default settings, are a little 'flat'.

However, you can change the defaults to suit your taste. I personally like to start the contrast at 50 and the saturation at 10, the others at neutral, and go from there.

Breezebrowser and Zoombrowser look so similar because the both use Canon's conversion DLL's and SDK.

[pix0r]

I see.. so you are saying you're able to get good results using the RAW converter in CS (that's what you use normally) ?

I'll try your settings, hopefully that will work better for me. I don't have any fancy monitor calibration hardware, but I think it's fairly accurate. I guess I should look into that, because how am I going to know which software looks better, if I don't know what the photos will look like on paper.

Thanks for the response. Does anyone else use different CS default settings?

[dtrayers]

I see.. so you are saying you're able to get good results using the RAW converter in CS (that's what you use normally)?

Yes, I normally convert with CS. I like the workflow better. Since I'm going into PS anyway, it's easier to start in PS.

The other major player in Canon RAW converters is Capture1 DSLR (C1Rebel). Many lively debates have been had over what is the better conversion software. You can do a little searching here and on other forums. Personally, I don't see much of a difference. But that's just my opinion, YMMV.

If you don't have the hardware to calibrate your monitor, make sure you use the Adobe Gamma tool or you can use the free WiziWYG (http://www.praxisoft.com/pages/products.wiziwyg.html#) monitor calibration tool.

Roger Cavanagh (http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo.htm), a frequent poster on this form, maintains an excellent site and much of it discusses raw conversion and color management.

[pix0r]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't seem to find a good way to set default options in the CS raw converter. I can "Set Camera Default", but after I do that, it will ignore the white balance I used on the camera for each shot (auto or otherwise). I know one of the advantages of working with RAW images is that you can change the white balance after the shot, but I'd still like to be able to default to what I used when I shot the photo. Using CS raw converter, I have to look at the color temperature and try to find the right setting that matches it, if I want to keep it the same.

Also I have to change the selection to "Use Camera Default" each time.

I really appreciate your help -- sorry to be asking such newbie questions! :)

Thanks again.

[dtrayers]

Mike,

No problem...

Open an image in the converter. See the little blue triangle next to the "Settings" drop down box? Click on it. Here you can name the settings and save them. You can also set them as the default.

Looks like this:

http://home.comcast.net/~dtrayers/photos/ACRsavesettings.jpg

[iwatkins]

You can save settings but still have it so that white balance is "As shot".

Cheers

Ian

[evilenglishman]

I know one of the advantages of working with RAW images is that you can change the white balance after the shot, but I'd still like to be able to default to what I used when I shot the photo. Using CS raw converter, I have to look at the color temperature and try to find the right setting that matches it, if I want to keep it the same.

questions! :)

Thanks again.

The Photoshop CS raw converter should automatically default to "as shot" for the white balance. It will do this on any image you havent made changes too and then opened. If you choose "camera default" from the drop down list it should set the white balance back to "as shot".

If it isn't doing this then you have changed the default settings somehow