LR-CS2-PS5-PSP7-???

OK, I've plowed through most of the FAQs and stickies. I remain confused.

I realize that there is a RAW converter that came with my Canon camera, but does it do anything other than basic adjustments? I am a Paint Shop Pro 7 user from way back (before I had a camera that could take RAW), so it is my only reliable point of reference.

My question is: Is there a single (or perhaps just 2) programs that will allow me to import and adjust RAW, and then do whatever post processing I need? I get the feeling from many months of lurking about that everyone has dozens of various converters, post processing, batch converters, organizing and other software for narrow specific tasks. Any thoughts on a simple program (or 2) that will do everything I need to do (within reason)??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts (and all the other advice that I find throughout POTN)

DPP is a raw converter.
Is does do very limited other things (dust removal for instance, a tiny bit of organising in the latest version ("collections"), lens correction) but that's it.

You must use other software if you want to do local adjustments (make one person in a group shot brighter), or more extensive editing (removal of objects, skin smoothing, whatever).

That being said, quite a few people could get by with just DPP I'd think.

If you want a bit more options, you can try LR2.
It does local adjustments, can make web galleries, and has better DAM (digital asset management).

You'd still need an external editor for more extensive edits.

Cheapest option: DPP + the Gimp (Free)
bit more expensive: DPP + PS Elements (or PSP?). This would probably be all you'ld need for a few years to come.
bit more expensive still: LR (yet offers less / different functionality then the one above)
bit more expensive still: LR + Elements
bit more expensive still: LR or DPP + PSCS3 (but I'd wait for CS4 to come out, and even then, it might be cheaper to buy elements and upgrade to PSCS4 later)


In stead of PS Elements, there are other editing programs out there, (Like PSP), but I have zero experience with them, and PS is "the norm" in the industry, so I kept this summary "in the PS family" (Gimp is closely related)

René Damkot wrote in post #6101446
DPP is a raw converter.
Is does do very limited other things (dust removal for instance, a tiny bit of organising in the latest version ("collections"), lens correction) but that's it.

You must use other software if you want to do local adjustments (make one person in a group shot brighter), or more extensive editing (removal of objects, skin smoothing, whatever).

That being said, quite a few people could get by with just DPP I'd think.

If you want a bit more options, you can try LR2.
It does local adjustments, can make web galleries, and has better DAM (digital asset management).

You'd still need an external editor for more extensive edits.

Cheapest option: DPP + the Gimp (Free)
bit more expensive: DPP + PS Elements (or PSP?). This would probably be all you'ld need for a few years to come.
bit more expensive still: LR (yet offers less / different functionality then the one above)
bit more expensive still: LR + Elements
bit more expensive still: LR or DPP + PSCS3 (but I'd wait for CS4 to come out, and even then, it might be cheaper to buy elements and upgrade to PSCS4 later)

In stead of PS Elements, there are other editing programs out there, (Like PSP), but I have zero experience with them, and PS is "the norm" in the industry, so I kept this summary "in the PS family" (Gimp is closely related)

Thanks much. I have been trying to glean as much as I could from context in many of the POTN sections. I'm thinking that Lightroom is probably the way to go for directly out of camera adjustments, and then I may stick with PSP since I am so familiar. I also have downloaded the Gimp program so that might be my other option.

Don't forget DPP. It is free, since it came with your camera, and it's (one of) the best raw converter(s) for CR2 files...

ufrawis a good raw converter (for all cameras) and it integrates with gimp so that you can open the raw directly in the gimp, or use ufraw as a separate program.

When opening a raw image, ufraw pops up and has its 5 tabs that match up pretty well with how you should be adjusting things, and when finished the raw part you can save the image or "send to gimp"

Read the tutorial on the ufraw website here its really good for getting the most out of the image.

At the moment i switch between both as i think the dpp noise reduction is pretty well matched to my camera (dpp's main advantage over other software is that it knows the specifics of the camera and lens so can correct these things easily)

I think LR (or Bibble if you want less DAM and less $$$) plus Elements is a great solution for most photographers - mostly pros or those who really like graphic design/post work who would really need more.

Thanks everyone. I remain undecided, but with every opinion I get better and better equiped to decide. I do like the idea of starting with what I have and then deciding if I am lacking any capability and need to go further . . .