Adobe Camera Raw vs RSE

[Bob_A]

Being a noob with Camera Raw I can't see the advantage over using EVU or Raw Shooter Essentials. What are the pros and cons of each method (Camera Raw, EVU, RSE)?

[Sathi]

What about DPP? I really like the interface of RSE much more, but I have heard that DPP possibly produces cleaner less noisy images than RSE. Any thaughts on this?

[Jack W.]

I'm far from an expert, but I've been experimenting more with RSE lately.
So far, I really like it. The noise reduction and detail extraction seem to be very effective.
RSE is still free, so try working with it and see how you like it.
Jack

[tommykjensen]

I have not really tried RSE for real bu I really like Camera Raw, especially the new version out with CS2. I am currently reading the book Real World Camera Raw with PS CS2 by Bruce Fraser, very interesting and I already change a little in my workflow. I usually did the sharpening within Camera Raw but Bruce Frase recommends not to and to do it in PS CS instead with USM for Smart Sharpen.

[J Rabin]

I like learning from photographers solving real workflow problems with these tools, not magzine editors (unless they're the same). With that, I've learned a lot from Steve Hoffman's photo site, especially macro. When he finished his RAW converter comparison, I found the results clear and effective to learn something from.

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

J

[Bob_A]

Thanks for the excellent link J. Lots of info that will take awhile to wade through.

[Bob_A]

What about DPP? I really like the interface of RSE much more, but I have heard that DPP possibly produces cleaner less noisy images than RSE. Any thaughts on this?

I've used DPP but frankly I even find EOS Viewer Utility more straight forward to use for converting files. Any idea if it does a better job at converting files than Camera Raw?

[Bob_A]

I have not really tried RSE for real bu I really like Camera Raw, especially the new version out with CS2. I am currently reading the boon Real World Camera Raw with PS CS2 by Bruce Fraser, very interesting and I already change a little in my workflow. I usually did the sharpening within Camera Raw but Bruce Frase recommends not to and to do it in PS CS instead with USM for Smart Sharpen.

Thanks Tommy,

It would be nice to get rid of some software off my laptop, so if Camera Raw works as well as any (I just purchased CS2) I could get rid of:

EOS Viewer Utility
Zoombrowser (only kept it because it was better at removing red eye than PSE 2)
RawShooter Essentials

Also, thanks for the book suggestion.

[lostdoggy]

I personally prefer PhaseOne C1 Pro, but DPP and RSE is better then PSCS.

[Bob_A]

I personally prefer PhaseOne C1 Pro, but DPP and RSE is better then PSCS.

Thanks lostdoggy,

But how is it better? Is the conversion more accurate, or is Camera Raw missing a key adjustment? if it is, which one?

Personally I don't like DPP at all becaue it is a poorly layed out interface, and would rather use EVU. RSE is a very good product, but I am having a hard time seeing the advantages over Camera Raw.

[lostdoggy]

The controls are not immediately intuitive. ARC lacks Batch processing, but I understand that PSCS2 adds batch processing. I find C1's results are more accurate and WB is also easier. In C1 WB you just place the eyedropper over a white section and it will tell you if it is good or not ACR don't have that. DPP provides you with a quick solution in batch processing just correct one and copy the recipe to clipboard and apply it to any picture of similiar conditions and process. Its quick and painless. With ACR you would have to go through some macro to do this. the result is not as accurate as C1 tho but close enough to work with or just for quick viewing to select ones that are keepers.

[lostdoggy]

On most occasion only two adjustment should be made during RAW conversion and that is Exposure (brightness in DPP) and White Balance.

In DPP all you have to do is double click a picture and make the necessary adjustment and then close the picture. Right click that picture and copy the recipe to clipboard and then highlight all the other picture of similar exposure and WB and then right click and apply recipe. Continue until all the pictures are adjusted then select all, select batch process, provide location to save and file type and click to start processing. Its a pretty simple interface. I find this to be the fastest of all the ones I tried.

[lostdoggy]

I Also find ACR noisier.

[tommykjensen]

DPP provides you with a quick solution in batch processing just correct one and copy the recipe to clipboard and apply it to any picture of similiar conditions and process. Its quick and painless. With ACR you would have to go through some macro to do this.

Not any more. The new version provides excellent batch features.

With the new bridge You can open several raws in camaera raw, which will give You a filmstrip in left side of the conversion window. Then You can adjust the settings on the first one for example. You can then select 2 or more images and click on a button "Synchronize" then You get a new window in which You can decide what settings You want to copy to all images. You can even copy the crop definition to other images.

Once You are done adjusting the settings You can save the photos to any of the supported formats in background, in other words You do not need to open PS in order to save. While ACR is saving Your photos You can continue working on other photos.

As for whitebalance, I have not figured out how to use it yet but ACR does have a WB picker. Though I am not sure how it works.

[Bob_A]

Thanks guys,

I've beem messing around with ACR 3.1 and so far it seems pretty capable. Even the auto settings get you in the ballpark (sometimes spot on), and make it easy to tweak manually from where ACR leaves off. The batch conversion that Tommy mentioned also seems pretty slick.

ACR has a dropper to adjust white balance, or you can easily adjust by temperature or by the standard list (daylight, shade ... etc.). Either way, the adjustment is very easy. No macros that I can see ... maybe that was for an earlier version. Also, the conversion seems to be excellent ... at least as good as (or close enough that I can't see the difference) DPP, RSE or EVU. I can't comment about C1 since I don't have that application.

[BigRed450]

As Tommy has already said CS2 Bridge and new RAW converter is much much better then CS. I now prefer CS2 to all the above mentioned RAW converters.

[Bob_A]

As Tommy has already said CS2 Bridge and new RAW converter is much much better then CS. I now prefer CS2 to all the above mentioned RAW converters.

Just wish Camera Raw would display the AF points like EVU. Or maybe it does and I just don't know how?

[lostdoggy]

Not any more. The new version provides excellent batch features.

With the new bridge You can open several raws in camaera raw, which will give You a filmstrip in left side of the conversion window. Then You can adjust the settings on the first one for example. You can then select 2 or more images and click on a button "Synchronize" then You get a new window in which You can decide what settings You want to copy to all images. You can even copy the crop definition to other images.

Once You are done adjusting the settings You can save the photos to any of the supported formats in background, in other words You do not need to open PS in order to save. While ACR is saving Your photos You can continue working on other photos.

As for whitebalance, I have not figured out how to use it yet but ACR does have a WB picker. Though I am not sure how it works.

I did mention that CS2 does batch in an earlier post. I haven't got my hand on CS2 to test The new ACR, but I'm sure is very able. But sometime there is a need to get a quick proof that doesn't require alot of accuracy DPP fills the hole nicely.

[tommykjensen]

Just wish Camera Raw would display the AF points like EVU. Or maybe it does and I just don't know how?

Yes I also miss that one.

[Bob_A]

After playing around with RSE, DPP, EVU and ACR, I turfed RSE and DPP off of my computer for now ... and also got rid of ZoomBrowser. The only reason I kept EVU is so that I can look at the focus points (hopefully this will be on a future upgrade to ACR).