EOS20D Software?

[FlyingPete]

OK, got the 20D, top priority, read the manual, second priority, get shooting and distant third priority look at the included software.

Now I never really looked at the software that came with my G3, as I was happy with my current tool set of Exif Viewer for reviewing shots quickly and Photoshop CS for editing, cleanup and RAW importing.

So what is the included software like? I know I don’t need Photoshop Elements, but what can the rest do for me, is it worth loading?

I don’t like loading application for the sake of it on my PC, I keep it fairly light.

My main pain point is image management, how do you sort through and keep track of 25000 images? If any of the included software can help, bring it on!

[dhbailey]

Yes, it is worth installing. The DPP is good for working with RAW images from the camera. The other stuff can make downloading and organizing your images easier.

If you install the DPP software, go to the CanonUSA website and download the upgrade for DPP (from version 1.1 to version 1.5 I believe) as it has remarkable improved over the version that is included on the CD.

Or not, and see if you can get along just fine with the software you already have.

[drisley]

To be honest, the only software I installed was DPP.
Once I discovered it's bugs, I went to Photoshop CS for Raw, and couldn't be happier. If you already use PS CS for Raw, then you dont need any of the software (as long as you have a CF card reader).

[wolf]

I use ACDSee (http://www.acdsystems.com/english/Products/ACDSee/index?LAN=englishX70) and find it to be a good viewer/organizer.

[Meerkat17]

Peter,
Like yourself I don't like to load software if I don't need it - in my case I needed to load one of the items to use my normal RAW converter BreezeBrowser as it uses some of the Canon files.

I used BB just to get started as I'm familar with it but I've now tested the canon program and compared two of the images - I have found that DPP seems to give a nice, overall depth of colour to the images much better than BB.

Just my findings - hope it helps

David

[dhbailey]

And make sure you upgrade to the new DPP (version 1.5 I think) as it is a much improved version of DPP.

[evilenglishman]

I tried the new DPP 1.5 and didn't like it at all.
no noise control
crop "feature" is pretty much useless
no sharpening preview

In fact the other software that comes free (i forget the name) is much more useful allowing you to select all the cameras pre-defined settings such as contrast, b+w filters etc.