jim1954 Loc: Minnesota

I currently use PSE 2018 and the ACR that is supplied with it. I am wondering if there is a significant difference in the various RAW converters or if they are pretty much all the same.
If some are more robust than others, I would be interested in recommendations. Also, is it possible to use another RAW converter and then still edit the resulting file in PSE.

Phil Martin Loc: New Hampshire

I'm using Affinity Photo. It opens and processes RAW, converts to JPEG, and then processes the image to the nth degree. Can't beat it for a one-time $49!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yes, they are all subtly different. Third party software companies have to reverse engineer each camera model's raw file structures and come up with suitable conversion and processing tools that work with every new model. The camera manufacturer's supplied software is the most accurate, but also tends to be hard to use, feature-limited, and an extremely clunky workflow tool.

I used to use Canon and Nikon, and when I had problem images from either one, I would process the raw in their software, output a 16-bit TIFF in ProPhoto RGB color space, then pull it into Photoshop for finishing. Now I use Panasonic, and do the same initial conversion with SilkyPix Developer Studio. But again, just for marginal exposures.

Most of the time I use Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC, and do 80% or more of the work in Lightroom. Photoshop being the black hole time sucker that it is, I avoid it unless I NEED one of its tools.

Yes, you may use any raw converter you like, so long as you actually convert the raw data to a bitmap image of some sort before porting it into another editor. The usual example is to convert the raw file to a 16-bit TIFF in ProPhoto RGB color space. That can be converted to PSD, or to some other format, if needed.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I think they are all good, each one offers something a little different. It all depends on you and what you want to achieve. Try some for free and then decide what works for you.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

There is a significant difference in the regular ACR and the ACR supplied in PSE! PSE has a very crippled version of ACR that does not come anywhere close to the full version! Other converters are also waaaayyyy more advanced!

Edawsoni

There are significant differences both in the quality of the conversion as well as the editing toolsets provided.

Looking back the typical model was to use a raw converter to produce an RGB output file for further editing and then use a raster editor to finish up. This was a two step process and is what you have with PSE. The version of ACR in PSE is fairly limited and so you use that to convert and transfer an image to PSE's raster editor for completion.

Looking forward there's a general move toward more robust editing tools in the raw converter so that the raster editor step can be removed from the workflow. Achieving that goal has a significant impact on a raw processing workflow.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

There are significant differences with regard to features, but even quality can vary quite a bit. Even your version of ACR has far fewer features then the full version that is available with PhotoShop. In terms of quality, the best raw conversions in consumer software tend to come from ACR, Capture One Pro, and DXO PhotoLab. That doesn't mean that other raw converters won't give you very acceptable results, but there are definitely noticeable differences between raw conversions from one converter to another.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Affinity is a terrific and very cost effective program. However, when it comes to raw processing, the Develop persona is currently hampered by a very limited feature set compared to its competitors. Hopefully, future versions will correct that.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

User PhilMartin said..
I'm using Affinity Photo. It opens and processes RAW, converts to JPEG, and then processes the image to the nth degree.
(my emphasis added)

It's perhaps not a huge point, but I think that the sequence is that JPG comes last and only if the user explicitly exports a JPG image. In fact, most good processors can export other formats such as TIF/TIFF.

Many or most good processors can work in more than one (user chosen) "color space", some of which cannot actually be replicated in a JPG as such. If the conversion to JPG were to come first then some of the most important advantages of starting with a raw file would be lost.

The high end monitors for photo editing are often capable of 10 bits. That also suggests that JPG is not the working medium since JPG as we know it is 8 bit.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

They are different. Capture One still outshines most when it comes to how far you can take a raw file without needing to resort to a raster editor (Photoshop) to finish an image. Some are just awful and not worth the time to learn or use. The most popular right now are ACR/Lr, Capture One DXO and On1.

srt101fan

Gene, have you used darktable? I see that one mentioned a lot.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Not yet. Some who use it love it. It seems to have some decent analytical tools.

srt101fan

Thanks!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Whatever you're using must be able to process the files produced by your camera, and they're all different.

These links might help.
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/how-to-process-raw-images-the-right-way-1320866
https://www.digitalphotomentor.com/photo-editing-software/
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-process-and-edit-raw-files/

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I can only speak on my behalf and based on my experience. If you want the best RAW data has to offer edit with the editor supplied by the camera manufacturer then complete the editing with your Photoshop Elements.
In the monitor all editors will present to you an image that you will find of excellent quality but when printing things change a bit specially if printing skin colors.

Yes, once you have worked with the RAW editor you can work with a converted TIFF or JPEG file with any other software.