RAW Conversion Comparison - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/10/2010 10:29:13 AM · #1

I just noticed that Aperture 3 was made available, which once again set me into a tailspin over RAW conversion and workflow. I dug out the one image that seems to wreak havoc on conversation programs and loaded it up to see if the new RAW processing had improved. While I realize that RAW processing can be tuned per image, the strength of the initial conversation is usually my starting point. I loaded the image into a RAW processor (Photoshop CS3 using ACR 4.6 (sorry if that is old), into Canon DPP in both standard and portrait mode, Capture One 5 and Aperture 3) clicked on the target to set white balance, warmed up 400 degrees and then saved the image as a jpeg. I then used PS3 to resize each. I'm sharing the results here with the hopes of some discussion over the the results and the merits of absolute image quality vs workflow efficiency.

Oh... I didn't post the application names on the images because I thought the comparison would be more useful that way. I'll post later if there is interest is knowing which is which.

Message edited by author 2010-02-10 16:29:04.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

02/10/2010 06:55:50 PM · #2

even though the white balance may have been the same on all, they seem all over the place. More cool than they should be.
Depending on what you are going for. Real life skin colors, I like #3 and 4, then 1 (seems a little cool though). Detail in the shadows (looks brighter than others), #1 and 2.
Overall I prefer #4(warm) and #1(cool). Hard to tell detail and all with the small photos. What the shadow detail actually looks like, etc.

dswann

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/10/2010 07:19:54 PM · #3

In my opinion #4 is the best, followed closely by #3. Both of these have the best skin tone. The red of the dress seems better in #4 also (although I don't know what the true dress color is).

photorjp

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 (Lumix DMC-G80)

Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / Mega O.I.S

02/10/2010 07:27:38 PM · #4

i prefer number 1 suppose it's all subjective?

how did you get on with aperture 3, i keep flipping back and forth from aperture to lightroom but have told myself that i need to pick either one and stick with it.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/10/2010 07:41:36 PM · #5

The dress was a deep red with little bit of a satin like sheen to it. 4 is probably the closest on the dress with 1 also being quite close. The tint, magenta maybe, in number 5 seems furthest from reality. What surprised me was how different the red dress and skin tones with each RAW processor are with me clicking the same same spot on the calibration target.

I could actually post full resolution on a different site if anybody is interested. Is suppose the topic is a little esoteric... I've seen outstanding images from well known photographers coming out of all four of the conversion engines.

dswann

Nikon D7000

02/10/2010 07:42:56 PM · #6

Originally posted by photorjp:

i prefer number 1 suppose it's all subjective?

I suppose it depends on how one's monitor is calibrated (or not) also.

02/10/2010 07:58:43 PM · #7

Originally posted by photorjp:

I have bounced back and forth several times myself, and each time I told myself the decision was final. I haven't tried LR3 beta yet, but the new brush tools and presets in Aperture 3 have really surprised me. I loaded up the images from a wedding because I'm meeting with the client on Friday and I thought the new slide shows would be nice. As I was browsing I caught some images where the white balance was off, so I stopped to tweak them a bit. A couple clicks to find a white that I liked worked as expected. This particular series had been a little challenging, so I tried the burn and dodge tools to fix one image up. This worked great and I was able the result to an entire series because, in boring wedding fashion, a number of groups had stood in the same position. I never would have done this to proofs in the past because it would have required a round trip to photoshop and back. But I just made a huge improvement in minutes and that could translate to more sales on Friday.