POST PROCESSING

[Photorob]

I have been using EOS viewer utility (with my old Digital Rebel) and now Digital Photo Pro. with the Mark II and have been happy with processing the raw images. In Pekka's review of the Mark II he recomends USM 100/.3/0 to improve snappiness. I don't know exactly what this means but I suspect he is refering to photoshop. He also talks about prefering C1 to DPP. I suspect he is talking about Photoshop but could someone help me with the abbreviations. I had Paintshop Pro loaded on my Dell which I updated to the PSP8 and took a long time to learn but have been thinking about switching to Photoshop. Which version would readers recomend.

[Rob Larsen]

USM = unsharp mask. It is a tool in available in Photoshop and other products to improve sharpness (counter-intuitive to it's name).

In PS the USM tool has 3 settings -- amount, radius, and threshold. 100/.3/0 refers respectively to those settings.

I am unfamiliar with PSP, but I assume it also has a form of USM in it.

As for a PS recommendation, v8 known as Photoshop CS is the latest version.

[mwinog2777]

Photoshop CS

[Photorob]

Since Paintshop Pro does not have the ability to recognize Raw images I guess I am stuck with DPP . Any input whether I should make the switch to Photoshop.

[defordphoto]

You can get buy with DPP and PSP, but if can get PS CS then do it. You won't regret it. If you're a student, there are deals out there. If not, then become friends with a student. ;)

[Cordell]

Since Paintshop Pro does not have the ability to recognize Raw images I guess I am stuck with DPP . Any input whether I should make the switch to Photoshop.

Many people will recommend Photoshop. However, this is a personal choice that depends on exactly what you plan to do with your photos. DPP is for processing your RAW files. It allows you to do darkroom processing of the RAW files. Once you process the RAW files and convert them to TIFF or JPEG you can go to any image editing program and do other types of photo retouching or so-called enhancements that many people get carried away with (and end up with a fake image). Some will argue that you can do all of your darkroom work and enhancements in Photoshop RAW conversion, and that is true. However, I personally like to just do my darkroom work and have the pictures printed. Photoshop is NOT a necessity at all!!! If I want to add or take away a little something to a photograph like removal of someones head :twisted: I can do that in Photoshop, PSP, Corel Photo-Paint, GIMP, or others.

With all of this said, it's all about the work flow you are looking for. I use Capture One DSLR Pro and try to avoid any more editing after that. I have run into situations where I needed remove something from a background and had to go into Photoshop.

I think your combination of DPP and PSP is perfectly fine. Spend your money or something else, because what you have is great as it is.

Cordell

[ron chappel]

100/0.3/0
Wow,if those settings are for USM in photoshop,they are VERY subtle

[samdring]

With all of this said, it's all about the work flow you are looking for. I use Capture One DSLR Pro and try to avoid any more editing after that. I have run into situations where I needed remove something from a background and had to go into Photoshop.
Cordell

Couldn't agree more, C1 is all I use but 'twould be even better if it had print facilities

[defordphoto]

100/0.3/0
Wow,if those settings are for USM in photoshop,they are VERY subtle

Not if applied two the three times. ;)

[arumdevil]

100/0.3/0
Wow,if those settings are for USM in photoshop,they are VERY subtle

it depends on the resolution doesn't it. very subtle for a full res but not so subtle on a 800x600 web size.

[Scottes]

If I use USM, I generally use between 100-150%, 0.3, 0 for the settings for 800-wide images. It's not subtle at that resolution.

For a full 3000x2000 it would be very subtle indeed.