Elements 12 or Light Room 5??? I have a new camera now that takes photos in RAW format so I'm looking for a RAW editor. I presently have Elements 10 that doesn't offer much for editing...

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

I have a new camera now that takes photos in RAW format so I'm looking for a RAW editor. I presently have Elements 10 that doesn't offer much for editing RAW and therefore will be looking at what else is available.

As Black Friday approaches I'll be looking to upgrade my Elements 10 or begin with LR 5. Any recommendations out there?

JPG from DNG from CR2 (Canon RAW)

Dan O Loc: Shrewsbury, Pa

I have Paintshop Pro X5 and it works well. Also its cheaper to0.

pigpen

Wilderness Images wrote:

I have a new camera now that takes photos in RAW format so I'm looking for a RAW editor. I presently have Elements 10 that doesn't offer much for editing RAW and therefore will be looking at what else is available.

As Black Friday approaches I'll be looking to upgrade my Elements 10 or begin with LR 5. Any recommendations out there?

Both are great programs, however, your search for the best RAW converter makes this an easy choice. ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) is a great tool, but not available in Elements (Elements does have a version, but not the full blown version). The only way to get the best, latest version, you must purchase the full Photoshop Suite or Lightroom. Lightroom is the cheapest path by far. I upgraded to PSE11 and purchased LR4 at the same time. I got LR4 because of a great package deal with the purchase of a new camera. I honestly thought I would only use it for RAW conversion, then finish production in PSE11. Since I've learned LR, I almost never use PSE11.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

The Canon DPP program that came with the camera also does a nice job and it is free!! Should be on the cd you got or you can download from Canon support.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

WI, I take it you are not familiar with LR, or you would not be asking.
LR is good for two things: cataloging/organizing and minor tweaks/ enhancements.
If you are looking to swap out skies, composite, even heavy cloning, LR is not what your looking for.
I'm actually not familiar with Elements, but understand its a lot like PS.
LR will NOT layer. It won't even add text into a photo since that requires a layer.
If you need layers, you need PS or something similar.
Get the 30 free download and see if it's for you.
Good luck. SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Wahawk wrote:

The Canon DPP program that came with the camera also does a nice job and it is free!! Should be on the cd you got or you can download from Canon support.

Yes, DPP is the BEST, RAW converter. Better than LR or PS if you shoot Canon.
But in power it's similar to LR.
SS

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Thanks PP, I was kinda thinking Elements would be redundant and not necessary :thumbup:

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Thanks Wahawk, tried working with DPP and am not satisfied with the results. Only advantage is that it opens the files a lot faster than Elements/DNG converter.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

Thanks for the reply SS, my only familiarization with LR is from following tutorials on line, but it seems to do precisely what I'm looking for. Once I get a good detailed RAW file that I'm satisfied with, I can handle the rest in JPG editors.

pigpen

Wilderness Images wrote:

Thanks PP, I was kinda thinking Elements would be redundant and not necessary :thumbup:

I still use elements for layering work that is not capable in LR4, which was stated above. The two programs work great together.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Wilderness Images wrote:

Thanks Wahawk, tried working with DPP and am not satisfied with the results. Only advantage is that it opens the files a lot faster than Elements/DNG converter.

Try PaintShopPro, current version is x6. Works very nicely with Canon raw files (CR2).

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm a teacher and I got a different price. That might make a difference to you. What I did was subscribe to Photoshop CC. (creative Cloud). You get the latest version of all the Adobe programs. So, now I have LR5 and CS6. I have found that I can do the exposure and color manipulation I want to in LR5 and then if I need to do something else, I can simply load my image directly into Photoshop and go to town. I don't know Photoshop that well, so I am still learning. It works for me. Downside is that it is a monthly subscription fee ($19.99 in my case normal price is more like $49.00). Don't know if this helps you, but it is something to think about.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

Wilderness Images wrote:

I have a new camera now that takes photos in RAW format so I'm looking for a RAW editor. I presently have Elements 10 that doesn't offer much for editing RAW and therefore will be looking at what else is available.

As Black Friday approaches I'll be looking to upgrade my Elements 10 or begin with LR 5. Any recommendations out there?

Lightroom and Elements work well in tandem with each other as they do not do exactly the same thing. I upgrade every other version and only a week ago installed both Lightroom 5 and Elements 12. Love them both, but if only one, I would buy Lightroom and continue to use your Elements 10 for the things Lightroom can't do.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

Frank47 wrote:

Lightroom and Elements work well in tandem with each other as they do not do exactly the same thing. I upgrade every other version and only a week ago installed both Lightroom 5 and Elements 12. Love them both, but if only one, I would buy Lightroom and continue to use your Elements 10 for the things Lightroom can't do.

I agree with this. Since I got into LR (i have LR5), I am doing RAW only, 95% LR and the balance with OnOne Perfect Photo Suite for layers, masking, effects, etc. Still use PSE 11 once in awhile for text insertion, but that's about it.

SS: if you think LR is only for minor "tweaks", you may not be fully aware of the capabilities? Even the pros that I know do heavy LR wprk before delving into PS.

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

Wilderness Images wrote:

I have a new camera now that takes photos in RAW format so I'm looking for a RAW editor. I presently have Elements 10 that doesn't offer much for editing RAW and therefore will be looking at what else is available.

As Black Friday approaches I'll be looking to upgrade my Elements 10 or begin with LR . Any recommendations out there?

Lightroom 5 includes Adobe Camera RAW. I use both LR5 and Elements 12. Get the 30 day free trials and see for yourself.