Lightroom and over RAW cons, what is their purpose

NOT a dumb question

I have been using DPP and the only prob I have is that when sharpening allot of white speckles apear at contrrast edges.
BUT
I am trying out full demo of extended PS CS4, which has RAW conversion and manipulation tools.
SO
why would I want Lightroom or any other stand alone RAW con as well?What do they do that I wont have access to if I hold my breath and buy CS4?

OR
would it be enough to go the route I have seen an get a new Raw con and PS elements 7
The things I like about PS are layers(no comments please), filters, and abit of graphic art on photos;nothing too fancy apart from HDR which CS4 is not really upto the job (tried Photomatix)

john5189 wrote in post #7361039
NOT a dumb question

I have been using DPP and the only prob I have is that when sharpening allot of white speckles apear at contrrast edges.
BUT
I am trying out full demo of extended PS CS4, which has RAW conversion and manipulation tools.
SO
why would I want Lightroom or any other stand alone RAW con as well?What do they do that I wont have access to if I hold my breath and buy CS4?

OR
would it be enough to go the route I have seen an get a new Raw con and PS elements 7
The things I like about PS are layers(no comments please), filters, and abit of graphic art on photos;nothing too fancy apart from HDR which CS4 is not really upto the job (tried Photomatix)

Lightroom's main function is a cataloging and workflow program. Adding to that non destructive editing and its one powerful program. Its not meant to replace PS by any means, just enhance workflows of the busy photographer. You wont find that in PS alone. Download the demo to Lightroom and try it for a couple of weeks. You will see the advantages.

IMO, PSCS4 / Bridge with Version Cue is pretty close to LR....
LR has a few advantages, but so does bridge.

LR and LR2 both work on RAW files nondestructively. PS4 doesn't do this. I would recommend using LR (or Aperture) to convert all your RAW files into printable TIFFs or JPGs, then use PS4 for any complex tweaking or special effects.

I have found that DPP gives me the best results for RAW conversion after I convert with RAW to JPEG I then transfer LR to do the touch ups, if I want to convert RAW files directly fro LR the results are horrible. MY 2c

PhotoMatte wrote in post #7470625
LR and LR2 both work on RAW files nondestructively. PS4 doesn't do this.

That's because CS4 doesn't convert Raw files, but uses ACR for that
ACR5 is exactly the same as LR2 as far as "non-destructive" editing goes.
(I hate that term :rolleyes

CS4 can be "non destructive" if you use (adjustment) layers and smart filters...

papucla10 wrote in post #7470904
I have found that DPP gives me the best results for RAW conversion after I convert with RAW to JPEG I then transfer LR to do the touch ups, if I want to convert RAW files directly fro LR the results are horrible. MY 2c

LR2? Try the "Camera neutral" profile in the "Camera Calibration" tab.
LR1? Out of luck, but this might help a bit: http://people.csail.mi​t.edu/ericchan/dp/acr-color-match/

Lightroom is a great little raw converter and a wonderful workflow app. I personally use DxO more often, but each has its strengths and weaknesses.

I have Photoshop Elements, but frankly I haven't used it for processing any pictures in months. My 'style' of photography means all I want from a RAW developer is adjustments to WB, saturation, colour, sharpness, noise, and basic image manipulation - cropping and horizon correction. DxO does all of this for me, and even clones bits and bobs out if need be. I don't enjoy spending hourse fiddling around with a single shot in photoshop, and LR and DxO make it easy to apply settings to a whole selection of images, hit a button, then walk away and do something else while the RAW files are processed. Getting the 5DII is really making me yearn for a MacPro, though....21MP RAW files are big.

The one thing that's tempting me these days is Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro, but it's pricey...

mattia wrote in post #7479596
Lightroom is a great little raw converter and a wonderful workflow app. I personally use DxO more often, but each has its strengths and weaknesses.

I have Photoshop Elements, but frankly I haven't used it for processing any pictures in months. My 'style' of photography means all I want from a RAW developer is adjustments to WB, saturation, colour, sharpness, noise, and basic image manipulation - cropping and horizon correction. DxO does all of this for me, and even clones bits and bobs out if need be. I don't enjoy spending hourse fiddling around with a single shot in photoshop, and LR and DxO make it easy to apply settings to a whole selection of images, hit a button, then walk away and do something else while the RAW files are processed. Getting the 5DII is really making me yearn for a MacPro, though....21MP RAW files are big.

The one thing that's tempting me these days is Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro, but it's pricey...

I'm new to RAW, and have been using DPP. It pretty much does what I want, but not straighten. Looking at DxO, it does even more than DPP (e.g. keystoning) which I would find useful. Does it also have straighten? I don't see that in the features list. If it could straighten before conversion, that'd be fantastic.

DxO Optics Pro straightens horizons, yes. And crops.

Just download it and try it - the demo version is fully functional for 30 days or something. It is a bit slow, some don't like the workflow, but it works quickly enough for me and I love the results. DxO also works on JPGs (or can output DNG files) if you only want to use some of DxO's corrections (although 8 times out of 10 I prefer DxO's output to that of, say, Lightroom in terms of colour and detail.)