burkphoto wrote:
There are no standard raw formats.
Yes there is: DNG. Adobe put this raw format out hoping hoping it would be adopted as a universal standard…much as PDFs have become ubiquitous in the text world. It's very easy to convert all sorts of raw images to DNG format with Adobe's free DNG converter. I have converted all my raw images to DNG from my Nikon, Sony, and Minolta cameras. Every piece of software I have (and I have a lot) recognizes the format and I notice no difference from the original raw formats.
I use this lens on my NEX 6 and a6300. It is wonderful! The power zoom is variable speed, it is silent, no change in length on zooming or focusing, no barrel rotation on focus or zooming. The IQ is great. What I don't see mentioned is that this lens is a great video lens. The focus and zoom rings are freely rotating so they don't come to an image jarring stop during a video. This lens is a terrific bargain at its selling price.
speters wrote:
I always enjoyed using Photoshop (also for its "simplicity" yes there is such a thing), I rather found Elements rather somewhat clumpsy and complicated when compared!
Photoshop??? For it's Simplicity?????
Peanut_the_cat wrote:
My girlfriend takes some amazing photographs with her cell phone and a point and shoot camera. When at my house she often tries to edit her images with Photoshop and as much as I try to help her she of course always runs into issues. Photoshop is way more horsepower than she needs or wants. I'm not being derisive in saying that, it's just she likes taking pictures but does not want to spend hours retouching them. She does enjoy some retouching but wants to spend 5 minutes on and image and not an hour or two that I might. So I thought I'd buy her some software for Christmas. The question is what. I thought about Photoshop Elements? That might eventually allow her to gravitate to the full blown Photoshop in a couple of years time if she felt inclined. I know there is free stuff out there but I want something semi serious. What say you hoggers?
My girlfriend takes some amazing photographs with ... (
show quote)
I think the key words here are "She does enjoy some retouching but wants to spend 5 minutes on an image and not an hour or two that I might." Has anyone mentioned Picassa? If you can get a copy (it has been discontinued by Google) it's free and it's very easy to use for a basic tune up of a pic. Since her pictures are from a phone, RAW processing is probably not a consideration. Worth a try.
Although free, GIMP is powerful but more difficult than PS to master.
chainofponds wrote:
…Thinking of changing to On 1 raw and doing every thing right there. Still will keep photoshop for the heavy stuff or maybe not.
I've been using PS6, Bibble (now Corel AfterShot) and ON1 10.5 (just upgraded to On1 RAW. I think that RAW will blow PS/LR out of the water. I really like AfterShot for quick edits. I definitely will keep PS6 for heavy lifting after all the time I spent learning it, but it's nice to have the options…and On1 runs under PS. Very convenient
rmalarz wrote:
If you use techniques like ETTR and EBTR, you'll find you'll capture the range necessary without having to use multiple exposures, or HDR.
--Bob
Thank you. I will try ETTR. Never thought to use it for this purpose.
TheDman wrote:
You use one exposure for the turbulent surf and combine the rest as you otherwise would.
Thanks! That was a lightbulb that didn't go off :)
The reason I ask this is because there is no way ghosting will be reduced or eliminated when processing bracketed shots of turbulent surf, which is what I was trying to do.
Has anyone tried saving different exposures from RAW shots for the purpose of blending or HDR? I ask this because using bracketed exposures for blending on a windy day or with moving subjects ain't gonna work. What are the pros and cons of using RAW shots for this purpose?
Thanks
Now that you are totally confused. Whether you use Windows, OS X, or Linux. Whether you can afford $10 or $10,000. Start with the free software available for your operating system. Play with them - don't try yet to do serious work, just play with the software, try all the settings. See how things work. You'll find that you gravitate towards certain software and certain features. Then, when you're familiar with a couple of programs try some serious work and see how the results compare and which software was easiest to use to produce the results you want. Then, when you have some experience and confidence in your editing abilities, download trials of whatever paid software you want to evaluate. If you spent the time to really learn a few of the freebies and, more importantly, the concepts behind post processing you will have a much, much easier time evaluating whatever software you are looking at. The time spent will be well worth it. :)
Now that you are totally confused. Whether you use Windows, OS X, or Linux. Whether you can afford $10 or $10,000. Start with the free software available for your operating system. Play with them - don't try yet to do serious work, just play with the software, try all the settings. See how things work. You'll find that you gravitate towards certain software and certain features. Then, when you're familiar with a couple of programs try some serious work and see how the results compare and which software was easiest to use to produce the results you want. Then, when you have some experience and confidence in your editing abilities, download trials of whatever paid software you want to evaluate. If you spent the time to really learn a few of the freebies and, more importantly, the concepts behind post processing you will have a much, much easier time evaluating whatever software you are looking at. The time spent will be well worth it. :)
So many free or inexpensive programs out there as have been mentioned. Obviously, starting with the free programs is the way to go to see what you like, the type of user interface, ease of use, learning curve, etc.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Corel AfterShot. Comes in basic and pro formats. Easy to learn. It's Corel's update of Bibble Pro which I have used for years until Bibble Labs was bought by Corel. I think it is much better than Lightroom and much faster. You can download a trial for free. Other programs worth a look are ON1 RAW and the freebies already mentioned.
Minolta lenses will directly fit any Sony 'A' mount camera and will fit 'E' mount (mirrorless - ILCE) cameras with a relatively inexpensive adapter.