Raw Images

[auggybendoggy]

When I load in a raw image it darkens compared to Nikon Capture or Picture Publisher?

Also the sharpness drops off like a rock. Anyone have any idea why paint shop pro does this. I like the program well enough but it this is how it treats NEF files, then I certainly can't use it.

[LeviFiction]

If your only reason for using it is for the RAW functionality then yes you can't use it. Some people have success with RAW but most do not. RAW importing is not exact and varies between software packages. At all times it's best to use the software that comes with your camera because it's designed to work specifically with your RAW format. From your software you can go ahead and export as a 16-bit TIFF file to preserve the quality and open that in Paint Shop Pro to do any further editing that you require.

While the RAW may be lack luster its editing capabilities are not.

[df]

auggybendoggy, you have to take into account that there are hundreds of RAW file types out there. Basically there's a different version of NEF for every Nikon model that produces an NEF. A D90 NEF will be different than a D80 NEF. Throw Canon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony, Olympus, and whoever else into the mix and you're talking about a lot of different RAW formats. Nikon Capture only has to deal with the various NEF files. I don't know about Picture Publisher.

I for one use the camera manufacturers software. I tried Adobe Camera RAW but didn't care for the results. With my Canon, I can adjust most of the fine adjustments that can be made in camera on my computer. That means I can shoot now, think later (about fine adjustments like saturation, sharpness and the like).

Have you tried clicking the Suggested Settings button? That should brighten, sharpen, saturate..... to a level close to what you saw in camera and you can go from there.

[DaveQ]

I process my Canon EOS 7D images in either Canon's own DPP, or Adobe Lightroom. I find that PSPP X3 slows down to an absolute crawl when trying to process the +-30Mb RAWS from the 18Mp sensor. The camera manufacturer's own software is your best bet in processing the RAW's. Thereafter you can bring in the Tiff or Jpeg into PSPP for further processing.

[auggybendoggy]

Ok in X2 my system had updated automatically and my NEF files are amazing good. On the other hand I had to wipe my hard drive and install my OS new, so perhaps that did the trick.
Whatever the case, X2 actually is pretty quick and is doing a fine job.

Aug

[ronzie]

I found in PSPPX3 not all of the tonality options were available as in Canon's DPP RAW mode on the RAW palette. I convert to export in 16 bit .tif for PSPP editing.

FYI: The latest version of DPP is available on its Euro support site:
http://software.canon-europe.com/
as 3.92. It adds unsharp masking to the RAW palette among other features. It will load over you existing edition without reregistration. Be sure to update all relative components in the suite such as the new EOS utilities due to inter-version dependence.

This version is not on the US site yet. I had no problem getting in.