Which RAW to use?

[GovtLawyer]

I just got the Rebel XT, and I have PSE 3.0., which I willl upgrade to the Camera RAW 3.1. So, if I understand all this correctly, I have 4 RAW conversion choices. I have the ZoomBrowser, and the Canon Digital Professional Photo (is that the same or two different ones?) I have the Adobe Camera RAW 3.1 which I can access through PSE 3.0, and I have something called DNG, which I can access through PSE 3.0.

Assuming I am not too eager to purchase another stand alone product, what is the best way to process the RAW files. I will be shooting RAW + JPEG.

Also, can I batch process RAW, assuming the quality of the shots are the same and similar adjustments are required?

[tim]

There's no best way to process RAW files, there's just the way you prefer. I use Camera RAW 3.1, never tried DPP or ZoomBrowser. DNG stands for digital negative, its a format Adobe are trying to get camera manufacturers to adopt rather than having seperate ones for each camera. You can use their convertor to convert your CR2/RAW files to DNS then process them in Camera RAW 3.1 but there's no advantage of doing that - except the format might be supported longer than RAW from a particular camera.

[robertwgross]

I've been using the Canon utility (EOS Viewer) to batch convert all of my .CR2 files directly to .TIF.

Then, later, if I notice one of the .TIF files that is poorly exposed, I want to give it another chance. Then I find the original .CR2 file and open it with DPP. I will make the necessary changes, such as upping the exposure by a stop, and then convert it to .TIF there.

---Bob Gross---

[Bob_A]

Hi Bob,

Just wondering why you use DPP over EOS Viewer Utility if you need to make any adjustments such as digital exposure compensation? I've been using EOS Viewer Utility for conversions to jpegs or Tif, for digital exposure compensation and to correct white balance. I have no idea which of the applications is better ... I just find EVU easy to use.

Is there any guide that states what each of the different pieces of software is better/worse at? If you have a 20D, for no investment you can use EOS Viewer Utility, DPP, ZoomBrowser or download a copy of RawShooter Essentials. I'd delete ZB from my pc, but I use it once in awhile for red eye (useless other than that IMO), but what are the pros and cons of the other three?


Bob

[Hellashot]

I don't believe zoombrowswer will convert a raw image. It only views the imbedded JPG in the raw file as stated in another post today.

[wolf]

Raw Shooter Essentials (http://photography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.pixmantec.com/index2.html) is free software that has gotten a lot of rave reviews.

[robertwgross]

Just wondering why you use DPP over EOS Viewer Utility if you need to make any adjustments such as digital exposure compensation?

I don't know. I guess I just like the user interface better.

---Bob Gross---

[Bob_A]

Same reason I've been sticking to EVU :) I guess it's whatever you get used to.

Would love to see someone like EOS Magazine run a feature comparing all of the different applications, since I'd love to dump some of this software off of my laptop ...

Bob

[GovtLawyer]

Raw Shooter Essentials (http://photography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.pixmantec.com/index2.html)is free software that has gotten a lot of rave reviews.

I'm curious about the differences between the free (RawShooter calls it a TRIAL version) and the paying version? Is the free version full featured, and does it last forever, or are you required to upgrade or lose it?

[Jack W.]

I'm curious about the differences between the free (RawShooter calls it a TRIAL version) and the paying version? Is the free version full featured, and does it last forever, or are you required to upgrade or lose it?

The current version is totally free, no timeout.
No paying version yet.
Jack

[Marshall]

Although DPP was packaged with my 20d. Most of the other raw converters are not relevant with Mac's, what do other Mac users use ?

[Todd Jacobsen]

I just got the Rebel XT, and I have PSE 3.0., which I willl upgrade to the Camera RAW 3.1. So, if I understand all this correctly, I have 4 RAW conversion choices. I have the ZoomBrowser, and the Canon Digital Professional Photo (is that the same or two different ones?) I have the Adobe Camera RAW 3.1 which I can access through PSE 3.0, and I have something called DNG, which I can access through PSE 3.0.

Assuming I am not too eager to purchase another stand alone product, what is the best way to process the RAW files. I will be shooting RAW + JPEG.

Also, can I batch process RAW, assuming the quality of the shots are the same and similar adjustments are required?

PSE3.0 will accomodate ACR3.1.

PSE3.0 WILL NOT allow you to utilize the majority of ACR3.1 features.

I have PSE3.0 but have not utilized the editting program due to my use of PSCS (ACR2.4) and now PSCS2 (ACR3.0 - I haven't updated yet). PSE3.0 automatically opens up Photoshop for me to do my editting.

If your use of ACR in PSE3.0 has, in the past, been sufficient, you should be fine with ACR3.1 (3.1 recognizes XT cr2 files).

Because of the limitations in PSE3.0, your other software options may provide more capability in RAW manipulation.

[HKFEVER]

But EOS Viewer can't read 350D's raw file...:evil:

[GovtLawyer]

"PSE3.0 WILL NOT allow you to utilize the majority of ACR3.1 features."

Will it let me make the customary adjustments one expects to utilize in RAW; I assume, WB, contrast, hue, saturation, sharpening, brightness? And will it allow me to make these adjustments in a logical and fairly intuitive manner?


"If your use of ACR in PSE3.0 has, in the past, been sufficient, you should be fine with ACR3.1 (3.1 recognizes XT cr2 files)."

I utilize PSE 3.0 for almost all of my JPEG manipulations; image cleaning and improvement, layers, resizing, selections, etc. I'd like to be able to continue to use these, as I have become accustomed to it. It would be a benefit to be able to saty in PSE 3 to convert from RAW. However, if the RAW conversion is inferior to other programs, free or already obtained, I'd rather use another one.

"Because of the limitations in PSE3.0, your other software options may provide more capability in RAW manipulation"

Seems to me that RAW SHOOTER is raved about by most users.

[Marshall]

Raw shooter essentials, PC only, is on the free cd with the june issue of the U.K. magazine Digital Photo.

[etaf]

I don't believe zoombrowswer will convert a raw image
yes it will for my CanonPro1 - not sure about 350D {rebelXT}

[12345Michael54321]

I'm curious about the differences between the free (RawShooter calls it a TRIAL version) and the paying version? Is the free version full featured, and does it last forever, or are you required to upgrade or lose it?
At the current time, there is no "paying version." The only version is the free version. It is quite full featured and is an outstandingly good RAW converter. It will remain free forever. It does not and will not require any payment. It isn't intentionally crippled or time limited or anything like that.

However, Pixmantec plans on introducing an even more advanced RAW converter somewhere down the road. This converter will be "payware" (as opposed to freeware).

After this new RAW converter comes out, the free version will continue to exist, to work, and to be free. There's no hidden catch. You want to keep using Pixmantec RawShooter Essentials 2005 forever? Not a problem, and you'll never have to pay a penny for it.