7D and 5DmrkII Upgrades - RAW Processing and Workflow Adjustments

For those of us considering an upgrade to either a 7D or a 5DmrkII, the move could involve a sudden "shake" of our current workflow if using CS3. If you already took the plunge and CS3 was your main PP tool, I hope you don't mind sharing stories and tips about how to better face the transition (without having to buy CS4 that is!!):p Thank you!

I can never get raw files to open in CS3 so, I ended up getting LR2....I do all my PP in LR2 then use CS3 for more advance editing.

Well, I am like you, I love all the fine-tuning I have been able to achieve with CS3,...I guess I just got used to it. I have LR2, but I don't feel OK,...it took me out of my comfort zone.

Now, I am assuming you convert those RAW files into something to be able to "see" them with CS3. And when you say CS3 you mean PS or Camera Raw? Thanks man.

The most mentioned workaround seems to be to convert to dng.

Yes, either convert it to Hi-Res JPEG or DNG then finish everything else in CS3

OK. Now, we're talking LR2.0...is that correct? Because that's the one I have and I am afraid I am not eligible for an upgrade.

DNG. I have never worked with them. Have you experience any data loss within the conversion from LR?

I was told that DNG is lossless but more compatible with other programs like the Photoshop. It also uses 20% less file space due to a better algorithm or something?

After a few recommendations from photog buddies I've started importing photos to DNG, adjusting them with LR2.* and if any additional tweaks are needed export into PS CS4.

Have you tried online upgrade within LR2.0? I'm not sure, but I think it will automatically download LR2.6.

Well, I purchased an Academic version. I am not sure if it'll qualify for such "updates" or "upgrade". I'll check it out. Like i said, I bought it and used it a couple of times, but the learning curve made me switch back to my CS3 workflow, I had stuff to get done and no time to sit and learn a bit more of LR2.0

I also bought Scott Kelby's book on the topic...but again,...time, time,...time.

I use lightroom 2 academic version, and you can definitely upgrade to 2.6 at no cost.

I really like editing in CS3, despite its ACR version's inability to directly convert 7D RAW files. I've usually either converted to DNG and processed the DNG file with ACR, or sometimes I convert with DPP then export from there to CS3. Every once in a while I'll convert with DPP then save as a TIFF file for further processing in ACR before editing in CS3. I definitely prefer using ACR to DPP, so may try to upgrade if CS4 drops in price once CS5 comes out.

Updating to Lightroom 2.6 is free and will give you 7D raw support, but still won't help with your hypothetical CS3 dilema. I don't believe that Adobe is supporting camera raw in CS3 any more.

morob7 wrote in post #9533064
I use lightroom 2 academic version, and you can definitely upgrade to 2.6 at no cost.

That's super good news. I will fire it up this very afternoon and get the updates.

crn3371 wrote in post #9533132
Updating to Lightroom 2.6 is free and will give you 7D raw support, but still won't help with your hypothetical CS3 dilema. I don't believe that Adobe is supporting camera raw in CS3 any more.

This is very true.

It seems like I will still have to convert my imported RAW into [LIke somebody suggested] DNG. Then, I figure I will be able to open it up this DNG in Camera Raw CS3,...right?

DNG (Free)
ACR (Free)
will work with your CS3 and you don't have to learn anything new. DNG is lossless and great for batch renaming.