Post Processing: I am an amateur at photography and post processing and any assistance moving forward and critique of anything I post, would certainly be appreciated. First I have a...

randy pitts

I am an amateur at photography and post processing and any assistance moving forward and critique of anything I post, would certainly be appreciated.
First I have a question. I have Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 5.7. I do not want to be in the cloud, nor pay monthly fees to Photoshop for their processing. What are my options concerning taking raw images with the newer DSLR Canon cameras?
Using Canon 5D4 and 7D2, raw files do not open in CS5 nor Lightroom. They do open in Elements 15. I understand DNG files may open in the CS5 and Lightroom, but am not sure, nor know how to do that. What are my options, without putting out more dollars?

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

randy pitts wrote:

I am an amateur at photography and post processing... (show quote)

The Adobe DNG converter is your best bet. Keep your original CR2 files for the future then use the converter to generate DNGs that will process in your older software.

If you have a Windows computer this is an option: https://thepluginsite.com/products/metaraw/index.htm but there's a cost involved.

Another alternative is to do your raw conversions using DPP which comes with your cameras and then use LR/PS to process the output TIFF files from DPP.

Joe

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The DNG converter is your only option to use new RAW files into your older Adobe products. It runs quick and in batch.

I did some editing yesterday of a newer CR3 files, converted to DNG, and brought into my old LR6 standalone software. I compared those edits against using DPPv4 to convert the CR3 to 16-bit TIFF and then bring into LR. The compared results have subtle differences, each edited version have its own pluses and minuses in the fine details. But, the cloning process in LR was much harder for the DNG than I experience for the same complexity of detailed work when working on the supported RAW images directly in LR6. You might notice the same, depending on how you divide your labor between LR and PS.

Test too the RAW compatibility setting of the DNG conversion. The default is v11.2 where you might need to update this parameter to v7.1 for your LR5.

buldog216 Loc: Boynton Beach, Florida

I had the same problem with CS5. I found it easier to just spend the 10.00 a month to get everything up to date with the PS online. Yo don't have to download everything it has but you can and you can choose not to put your stuff in the cloud

randy pitts

Thanks, for such a rapid response!
I also use a PC. Is the Adobe DNG an app that you need to download, or part of the import process into LR?
If I use the DPP process, when I transfer to LR, do I transfer it as a TIFF? Does it automatically go into LR, or do I still have to import the photo? I guess that process gives me that option?

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Since LR 5.7 can't read the RAW files, it can't convert them. You'll have to download the DNG converter: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/adobe-dng-converter.html. However, I agree with Buldog that the best approach is to go with the $9.99 Adobe Photographer's Plan and get LR Classic and PS CC. You'll get a lot of great new features and have access to support.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

randy pitts wrote:

Thanks, for such a rapid response!
I also use a PC. Is the Adobe DNG an app that you need to download, or part of the import process into LR?
If I use the DPP process, when I transfer to LR, do I transfer it as a TIFF? Does it automatically go into LR, or do I still have to import the photo? I guess that process gives me that option?

See the link in the response above to download the free DNG converter. For DPP, you export to 16-bit TIFF in the Adobe RGB colorspace. This process also can run in batch, but is much more cumbersome that the DNG process. You'll import those TIFFs into LR, same as any new image file to import. You can add some value via DPP in the edits, if desired, or just take the as-shot defaults. The more work you do in DPP, the longer the overall workflow in time and effort. I stopped DPP a few years ago when I became satisfied an all LR workflow was faster, easier and equivalent results.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Stick with Elements 15. It has plenty to offer for your skill set.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Randy, Photoshop ELEMENTS is quite efficient for a great deal of post processing you'll encounter and it will handle RAW files. I switched from full Photoshop to Elements several years ago and so far have found nothing major I can't do in Elements that I was able to do with Photoshop's 'Big Brother'. Elements retails for just under $100.00 and many times you can find it on sale for as little as $69.99 and you don't need the 'cloud'... it's yours for two computers. Good luck and we'll be looking for your posts and progress report.
God Bless,
Papa Joe

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

OK, Randy. This is my advice to you since you gave so much background info. This is not what I do presently for myself but I think it would be fine for you to get you going.

Don't subscribe to PS CC. This tip alone will save you money for a while. But still shoot Raw and JPEG combined. Save the Raw files in a folder in your archives for future possible use. You may not be able to open them now but maybe later. And you may never even need them because a full density JPEG file is still a mighty damn good file.

Work with your JPEGs in Raw in Photoshop CS5's Adobe Camera Raw module (same engine as Adobe Lightroom). Yes, you will have most of the Raw Tabs still available to you with JPEGs. After you get the most out of your file in Raw, move your file into Photoshop CS5 and finish them off there. CS5 is a workhorse, a great program, never get rid of it, and can do it all.

Study some tutorials on CS5, follow the workflow I have outlined, and post some results here soon. Thanks and good luck.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Randy,

I scanned the replies and think one thing may have been left out about the actual workflow.

Use the DNG converter program as the transfer utility program to copy files from camera card to computer. You have to use something for that anyway. Then, once on your computer you Lightroom version can quickly "Import", or register them to the catalog.

That said, I too am a fan of the $10 per month program. I get more joy out of that $10 each month than any other $10 I spend!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

randy pitts wrote:

I am an amateur at photography and post processing... (show quote)

Have you processed images in LR 5.7? If so, and you move to a different editor, you'll either have two processing editors or you'll need to export the images from your current LR in some final format. It would seem more streamlined to simply go for the Adobe Photography Plan and it will grow with you as you grow in your photography. It offers you not only LR, but PS when you get to that level, and access to fonts and other software. It really is a good deal. There is no requirement to use the cloud portion of the plan, you can just keep your images on your computer. The software is also on your computer, not in the cloud. Just my thought on it. The older LR catalog will convert to the new version and then you'll have all images, older and newer, linked up to LR and on one place, hopefully, in your computer.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee, WA

I too purchased CS5 some years ago. I believe I got an on-line deal and paid around $300 for it, which was half price at the time. I happily used it for several years and then purchased a new camera body and wound up with the same issue you are experiencing with RAW files. So I converted all my images to DNG and continued working with CS5. Like you, I didn't want to go on the monthly payment plan. I just didn't like the whole idea of paying each month. It really went against the frugal instincts my mother had instilled in me. But I got tired of converting to DNG and I finally did the math. The $10/month translated to about 33 cents/day. I thought hard and concluded 33 cents/day was probably not going to negatively effect my monthly budget much at all. Of course, I now have to pay tax which increased my monthly cost by about $1. I decided I could afford that too. So I've been sucked into the monthly Adobe payment plan and after several years I can say without doubt it is one of the best $11 I spend each month. I still refuse to pay for cloud storage though.

thrash50

I would suggest taking a Post processing course, online, or in person.
I bought ON1 raw software a few years back, and am quite satisfied, I believe the software download is about $120 these days.

Markag

Sorry to be a bit off topic but I have a new 128gb'd pc and Adobe's latest subscription offerings don't perform well at all. Seriously looking for an Adobe alternative. Yes, Adobe reps have been into the computer many times but with little result. My other PC with 32gb ram is worse. If I don't restart it every day, Photoshop takes over 5 minutes to initialize on that machine?