raw to jpeg conversions -- do programs differ?

the JPEG is a compressed format.

Does it matter how good the program is, in terms of getting the best performance / file size ratio?

Yes.

Yes, but it's not really about the JPEG compression or the file size.

The RAW format is just a dump of whatever the sensor captured, and it needs a program to 'interpret' it and turn it into something you can look at. Different programs do that in different ways, and some results will be better than others.

Once you have a visible image, there's a straightforward quality/size trade-off when you compress to JPEG, but different programs will all do that in the same way.

bowlesbe wrote in post #3095835
Does it matter how good the program is,

Absolutely. Let me start off by saying thought that I haven't found a RAW conversion program that does a really bad job. It is really more about your personal preferences.

I don't go straight to JPG from CR2 very often. I normally export to PSD or TIFF. If I am making proofs for my customer I will sometimes go straight to JPG but not very often. I don't mind the the extra time in my workflow.

Choosing the right conversion program is a matter of personal preferences as I said before. My personal preference up to now has been C1 Pro. With Lightroom coming on the scene that may change but I am still in the evaluation process and Phase One is bringing out a new version this year which is rumored to have more of a total workflow solution like LR. I used to use Raw Shooter Premium for a period of time but I found that it gave me too much red in the skin tones. Others loved (and still do) this program. It didn't make it a bad program because of this, it just wasn't for me. I seemed to have to work harder in RSE to get the same result that I was from C1. So in that context the programs to differ but as far as being able to produce good quality conversions all of the popular programs available will do a good job.

ssim wrote in post #3101312
Absolutely. Let me start off by saying thought that I haven't found a RAW conversion program that does a really bad job. It is really more about your personal preferences.

I don't go straight to JPG from CR2 very often. I normally export to PSD or TIFF. If I am making proofs for my customer I will sometimes go straight to JPG but not very often. I don't mind the the extra time in my workflow.

Choosing the right conversion program is a matter of personal preferences as I said before. My personal preference up to now has been C1 Pro. With Lightroom coming on the scene that may change but I am still in the evaluation process and Phase One is bringing out a new version this year which is rumored to have more of a total workflow solution like LR. I used to use Raw Shooter Premium for a period of time but I found that it gave me too much red in the skin tones. Others loved (and still do) this program. It didn't make it a bad program because of this, it just wasn't for me. I seemed to have to work harder in RSE to get the same result that I was from C1. So in that context the programs to differ but as far as being able to produce good quality conversions all of the popular programs available will do a good job.

I used to use Raw Essentials and noticed the same red tint on skin tones. DPP works Ok for me but still does give me that red tint but not as bad. Does Lightroom treat skin tones any better. It just drives me crazy having to mess with that red, and unfortunately it doesn't have far to drive.