Capture One

[The Vulcan]

I"ve been playing around with Capture One v4.1 for a few weeks now and I must say it's a very nice piece of software and well worth a look at.

It's not so sophisticated as Lightroom, but equally it's not so "fierce" in it's adjustments. Where it does better lightroom is in it's colour calculations. This has always been a problem for me (probably why I shoot so much B+W!) but this software sorts out hues and casts so easily - dead impressive.

The interface is sort of half Lightroom and half SilkyPix and includes lots of little tricks i.e. Shadow/highlight tool, variant view etc

It doesn't set out to be an outright DAM - more a quick processing of RAW images - and quick it is.

For the money I reckon it's great and there's a 30 day free trial period!

Screen shot of interface attached

http://www.phaseone.com/4/

http://www.phaseone.com/HOME/Content/Suppo...Site%20-%20Main

Edited September 15, 2008 by The Vulcan

[runker]

You can also use custom camera profiles with it.

[The Vulcan]

Just extending this I attach 2 recent shots processed through Capture One. Both were merely "quick adjusted" and colour corrected with no USM or levels/curves etc applied. They'll both be further adjusted before final output but as a quick indicator of this softwares ability I'm stunned.

The "red" girls strongly feature a colouring that as we all know is a bitch to "hold", and the "girl in sequins" is a masterpiece in controlling shadow and highlights.

In both cases Capture One destroyed Lightroom

[astral]

I don't know if it is my imagination but both those shots appear to have a colour cast

when viewed alongside each other. The first to the red side and the second cyan.

After your cheerleader photograph, are your sure it is a "girl" in the sequins?

[The Vulcan]

I don't know if it is my imagination but both those shots appear to have a colour cast

when viewed alongside each other. The first to the red side and the second cyan.

After your cheerleader photograph, are your sure it is a "girl" in the sequins?

Yes I agree, but what I was trying to indicate was the softwares rendition of a RAW file "straight out of the camera" . Both these shots have absolutely no adjustment from me. I'll need to tweak the images a bit as I pointed out before final output but the contrast, exposure, shadow/highlights rendition is amazing. And remember, this is the LE version: the "Pro" version is yet to be released!

p.s. definitely a girl (I think)

[runker]

I don't know if it is my imagination but both those shots appear to have a colour cast

when viewed alongside each other. The first to the red side and the second cyan.

After your cheerleader photograph, are your sure it is a "girl" in the sequins?

Yes I agree, but what I was trying to indicate was the softwares rendition of a RAW file "straight out of the camera" . Both these shots have absolutely no adjustment from me. I'll need to tweak the images a bit as I pointed out before final output but the contrast, exposure, shadow/highlights rendition is amazing. And remember, this is the LE version: the "Pro" version is yet to be released!

p.s. definitely a girl (I think)

I downloaded one of your files and gave it a quick going over. When I am printing I much rather start with images like the ones you posted, this gives me more information to work with in post production and I am able to produce a much better print.

thai.bmp

[The Vulcan]

I downloaded one of your files and gave it a quick going over. When I am printing I much rather start with images like the ones you posted, this gives me more information to work with in post production and I am able to produce a much better print.

That reminds me, I've finished correcting this shot now - to my eyes seems a lot better

p.s. Posted as an RGB file as opposed to sRGB - better if you want to test your printer I think

Edited September 26, 2008 by The Vulcan

[The Vulcan]

Update - V4 pro now released with significant amendments

http://www.phaseone.com/4/

Brilliant colour saturation and shadow detail.

This was a deliberate test shot on a very bright and contrasty day (2 days ago) and just look at the softwares ability to control highlights and shadows. The bamboo shop was almot black on the original file!

Edited October 18, 2008 by The Vulcan

[astral]

Thanks to The Vulcan for his valuable input in this subject.

[The Vulcan]

I've been evaluating C1 Pro for a few weeks now and I must state how absolutely outstanding this software is. EVERYTHING is user configurable, the support line is instant, the skin rendition, auto CA and purple fringing amazing.

It ain't cheap but after spending 1,000's on cameras and lenses what's a few hundred more for software.

30 day free trial download available and well worth a preview

http://phaseone.com/

[Bard]

Personally I am using Aperture 2.1.1 which I love, it is very easy to use and really good for RAW processing. 50% less than lightroom as well, so for me it's perfect unfortunately it only comes for Mac so that is a bit crap but if you're a Mac user I can highly recommend it.

Cheers Bard

[The Vulcan]

I am a Mac user - tried Aperture and not bad but C1 Pro v4.5.1.1 is on another plane. (imho). Only trouble is it will not allow adjustments for "non-digital" i.e. scanned negs/trannies which I use a lot.

For this aspect I prefer Lightroom. I've tried Aperture V2 and just feel L/R has the edge. Also great as DAM software.

Only my opinion though

[Bard]

399$ for the C1 Pro 4 though...

Have to be much better to defend that price, I'll download the trial and play with it for a month to see if it's worth it for me. Currently Aperture gives me all I need from the RAW processing and tweaking I need. I still don't use Photoshop but try my best to achieve the results I want without it, when I reach that level I will move on to Photoshop.

Cheers Bard

[Kf6vci]

www.luminous-landscape.com many pros are on the mediumk format forum. You are a pro, aren't you?

I'm excited about getting that 3,2/180 mm Fuji lens for portraits after searching for months. But a Fuji GX 680 didn't survive the shipping to Thailand :-(

keep up the good work and thanks again for your good advice and tips!

Cheers, Chris