choiahn

I used to shoot Raw file with Nikon D750 and am looking for a RAW file format editor.
I am thinking about PS Element 15 or Paintshop Pro X9 Ultimate.
Only my short experience for PP is with Faststone Image View. But I want to start with more powerful software
Please help me to decide which one is better choice for me to start with.
Thanks in advance for your shares and advices.

chevman Loc: Matthews, North Carolina

I don't know about Paintshop Pro X9 but PS Elements 15 does not edit in 16 bit color depth. Why not try the stand alone Light Room 6 for $142 at amazon. You can do almost all of your editing in 16 bit and do Raw which will aiiow you much more flexibility in your editing. Just my own opinion. Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65237578-Photoshop-Lightroom-6/dp/B00VWCKJVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490895837&sr=8-1&keywords=lightroom

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Add Affinity Photo to your list. It has several advantages over either. Like PSE, it uses a similar user interface. It is more layer centric than PSE (ThoughPSE is somewhat layer oriented). Some of the Affinity tools are better than Photoshop. For example, the Inpainting Brush Tool works better than the PS healing brush tools.

Corel PSP is not a bad option, but the user interface is very different and has a longer learning curve.

Affinity has a longer history on Mac, but it has been out for Windows for a few months and I have found no bugs so far. I am a many years user of Photoshop, but I've fallen in love with a younger software. BTW. I use Faststone Viewer for organizing my images as it will feed directly to Affinity.

Linary Loc: UK

You should add "Affinity Photo" to your shortlist. Very capable piece of software for editing raw and jpg files, but NO organiser. See other threads in UHH for some reviews.

Reinaldokool posted a few seconds before me - different words, same conclusion.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Try Gimp for free. The new version has layers and is 16bit. works similar to PSE although the terms for the tools are a little different. Read 'how' in PSE and then 'translate' the tools for Gimp. This works which is why there are few dedicated Gimp tutorials.
PS and PSE probably have the most tutorials of any software! Unless Corel has something you really need... start with a programme that has lots of help.

Most Raw editors have a limited number of tools in comparison to the manipulation that can be done with a jpg. and other file types. There is nothing to stop you doing 'some' work in one programme and 'further' work in another.

reading between the lines....a lot of people here use a minimal number of tools and have a pretty standardised work flow. Few have the knowledge to do 'everything' that is on offer nor the need to do so.

Whichever PP you use be prepared to be a 'a little lost' at first. Work through tutorials line by line to start with and remember.....if you shut the programme down without saving....all your mistakes disappear!!!!and nothing is 'done' to your images. You can start again.

have fun

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I'd look closely at Affinity Photo as well, it's an excellent product with a lot more versatility than either X9 of 15. Another possibility is On1 Photo Raw.

choiahn

My budget would be less than $100. So Lightroom 6 is bit over my buget. But thanks for your recommention though...

choiahn

I just got Affirnity Windows trial version to test it. It seems to be more complex editor than Faststone. I will try it for a while. Thanks for letting me know Affirnity...

choiahn

I am trying with windows trial version now... This editor seems to be more than enough what I need... I will play with this for a while.. Thanks

choiahn

How can I feed a photo directly to Affinity?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some reviews
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358638,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369933,00.asp

Find and read more.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

With my 750 I use ACDSee, free 30 day trial, very user friendly, I also use PSP X8 but not for raw conversion. It works well for me, I never got into the flow of photoshop or lightroom.

cthahn

For $10.00 a month you can have Photoshop, Light Room, and Bridge and also all the latest updates. If you want to spend your time playing around with all the others that is up to you.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yup!

davidl743

May want to check out Aftershot Pro. I have been using it for awhile now and can do most of my editing in it.