reguli wrote:
I think it is not our opinion that will guide you to one of the programs, because they are both very good editing programs. The issue is which of them you feel comfortable with. I have both, but I usually use Capture one because I feel more comfortable with it. Differences between them: LR has no layers, C1 has a very powerful layer system, but if you use LR together with PS this combination is much higher than C1. Resuming, it depends on your choice.
Actually, C1's "layering" system is really an adjustment mask management system. Lightroom's approach to mask management falls a little short in process, but the results achieved are similar. Unlike a truly robust layering system like Photoshop's, C1's layering is probably closer to what On1 Raw has - stackable local adjustments that can be named and recalled, copied etc - but they do not exist as separate objects, and cannot be exported to a raster image - since they only exist in the raw file. A true layering system would allow for compositing, channel/contrast-based masking, etc which is not possible in a raw-only workflow.
Don't get me wrong - C1 is an exceptionally well-thought out and powerful raw converter - but it is NOT a raster editor, nor does it have the equivalent functionality. It is, in my opinion, the best of the raw editors/conveters on the market for a lot of reasons.