DPP 2.2 + PS CS vs. PS CS2 for PP tools for EOS digital cameras.

I want to underline that I’m strictly looking for a comparison in the two when it comes to post processing RAW images from EOS cameras.

Have you used both the DPP 2.2 and Photoshop CS2 to post process RAW images from your EOS digital camera? Is there really no comparison to be made, meaning does PS CS2 take the title hands down? I was thinking that DPP 2.2 could have some kind of advantage being designed for the EOS digital cameras.

At the moment I’ve got DPP 2.2 and Photoshop CS. I have thought about updating my PS to CS2, but I’m not sure if it’s a good enough investment. Maybe it will be more wise to wait for a while, and then update CS to CS3 whenever that will be out (usually one is able to update two steps up, for instance the CS2 update version can be used on Photoshop 7). I do have the option to save files in DPP to TIFF, and then open them I Photoshop CS.

Comments? Opinions?

Ps. I did see that this subject has been discussed before. I’m just looking for a more narrowed down view.

Thank you Matthew for your extensive answer.

Does anyone know about the timetable for CS3 though? I mean, I don’t want to update to CS2 just before the CS3 is being launched.

Thanks for your fast reply I'll wait for CS3 then, and maybe also start looking into Adobe Lightroom.

Here's what I just wrote in another thread tonight...

"Regarding your question on DPP... IMO, DPP is far more accurate with your files than ACR. I'll get bashed for this, but most people agree after they try the program and give it a fair shot. ACR has always killed the life in my photos while DPP really makes them pop and hold accurate to what I shot. I think ACR will get better, but ultimately Canon knows their files and camera better than Adobe at this time. I think the DPP software works better because of this. I wouldn't be surprized to see Canon go full on with a competing application to ACR. It's really a wonderful application already... it just needs some improvements that are sure to come. A lot of people think I'm crazy for loving DPP so much, but I've been a professional digital graphic artist for 12 years and have used PS since v2. I know a few things... just a few. (lol)"

I think what's important to note here is that they work incredibly TOGETHER. As I stated up there... I've pretty much used it all in this industry and yes, PS/CS is the market standard. DPP is an incredibly powerful application that is built specifically for digital photography and the Canon platform. It handles all the general editing at the highest possible levels.

PS/CS adds to that when you need to go further with post processing, special effects processing and editing for the web. Additionally, while PS/CS is far more feature enriched, DPP takes an extreme amount of 'simple' everyday editing steps and makes the workflow lightning fast... something that is very time consuming in PS alone. PS/CS is the app that polishes or fine tunes that result and output.

Thanks amonline! Seems like you’re becoming my pal here answering my questions in different threads

fi20100 wrote in post #2052230
At the moment I’ve got DPP 2.2 and Photoshop CS.

I have the exact same software, plus RSE. When i went RAW, i compared these three raw converters and finally decided to use ACR for my raw conversion, and then further edit the photo in PSCS. Here's my observation:

1. I'm a Microsoft guy.
So, software user interface that follows Microsoft UI standards is preferred. Among the three, DPP follows the standards the most. RSE the least.

2. Performance.
I don't have the fastest computer. Therefore, i'm looking for raw converter that is less resource intensive. We all want efficient pp done in the shortest amount of time, right ? RSE wins hands down, ACR/Adobe Bridge is the slowest (not based on serious benchmark testing, just normal daily usage)

3. Extra desired/undesired features.
When i load a photo (raw) and made changes in DPP, the software updates the time stamp on the .cr2 file when i check the file in Window Explorer. This might not be a big deal to most people, but i like the file's time stamp to stay where it is originally. Easier for me to sort the files and organize them. RSE stores the changes in a separate folder, which i like. ACR does the same but i don't know where it keeps the changes.
Next, ACR is a plugin for PSCS. It is like a one-stop shop. I just need to double-click my .cr2 and ACR launches. After i click ok, the photo is converted and remain in PSCS. A plus for me. DPP has similar feature, something like "open in Photoshop" option. But RSE does not (at least not that i am aware of)

Based on these few reasons, I find ACR suits my workflow better.
No plan to upgrade to CS2 so far.

I'm kind of baffled by your response as to why you chose ACR over DPP. I don't see a reasoning. Did I miss something? I just wanted to know what made the decision for you, but all I got was that it was one less click and not changing the date by using seperate info files.

IMO, the color accuracy and quality that DPP offers far surpasses ACR pushes it to the top for me. I don't mind clicking one more button. All my images are stored via job folders anyway, so date is really of no consequence.

Just curious. Oh, to answer your question about where the data goes... ACR saves that metadata in a seperate file next to the cr2... unless you change it to database. Open that folder and you'll see all those files. Now you have another file to take care of.

amonline wrote in post #2054160
I'm kind of baffled by your response as to why you chose ACR over DPP. I don't see a reasoning. Did I miss something?

Changing the timestamp of the original file does it for me. As mentioned earlier, most people don't care but the way i manage and organize my files, relies on the file's datetime. I guess it's just different people, different priority. Another reason is performance. I pp my photos in PSCS after the raw conversion. Having two programs(DPP and Photoshop) running together really eats up the RAM and slows things down.

I run dual core and 4gb of ram... a pretty hefty system; so, I never think about the ram or performance really... but that is something to consider.

I understand your reasoning on dating if you have a lot of files on hand. Have you ever considered just using the 'find date' feature in Bridge when you need to find something?

Nine times out of ten I can get everything in PP through DPP; but there are special effect images and some corrections that need to be sent to PS of course.

Although I've used PS since v2, I find that I am using it now days for web based stuff mostly. Nearly all my photog PP now goes through DPP. I can get generally the same results I need in default PP. (if you know how to use it) For prepress and 'official' print jobs, I often use PSCS of course.

Bottom line is, even though I've been in the digital graphics industry as a professional for almost 15 years, you can always learn something by talking to others.