Why use After Shot Pro 2 for RAW file conversion if PaintSho

[MabelG]

Re: RAW file Conversion.

Maybe i should ask this in the AfterShot fourm but i was wondering what paint users thought.

Why use AfterShot Pro 2 for RAW file conversion if PaintShop Pro x8 will handle raw files?

Would just one program not be easier to learn?

Are there more option in Aftershot?

Does it produce better images?

Or is PaintShop Pro X8 all that is really needed?

Thanks

Mabel

[GMack]

As prior discussions on here, After Shot 2 will not seek some other color management color space whereas PaintShop Pro will alter your calibrated screen if you use a spectrometer to calibrate it. If you don't care or do not use some hardware calibration tool it may not matter. In that regard, After Shot Pro 2 may render a better appearing image on your calibrated screen than one with PSP.

For me, I cannot use PSP as an editor as I have no idea as to what the final image will look like sent to a printer since it is rather "flaky" in is color operation. Some software will complain loudly about PSP changing gamma and/or color space when PSP X8 is launched (i.e. Eizo's Color Navigator 6 for example.). So I have to rely on Adobe Photoshop for editing since it will not change the default color space or gamma as will PSP. Corel really needs to address the color issue since it is touted as an editor.

Mack

[MabelG]

Oh!!!

that may well put a stop to my conversion or corel.

my monitor is calibrated using a spyder thingy...

i trialed Capture One Pro 8 for my raw conversion and liked it so i may well buy into that then.

[brucet]

I guess it all boils down to how much 'fiddling' you want to do. PSP's converter is very basic and something I would avoid for 'serious' work. As GMack points out PSP does some 'funny' things with colour.
AfterShot Pro 2 has far more tools to give you the opportunity to adjust to your hearts content. However!!!! However I have even given up on After Shot Pro 2 due to its inability to give me a clean, colour correct, file without a lot of work. (FWIW I shoot with a Nikon and use Nikons own NX-D).

Every piece of software on the market has its compromises. Only you can decide if you want a compromised, all in one, package or a number of specialized programs.

regards

[photodrawken]

Only you can decide if you want a compromised, all in one, package or a number of specialized programs.

Very true. I've always been a fan of using specialized programs to do specialized work because they're usually far more optimized for their purpose.

MabelG,
FWIW, I like the free RawTherapee program for intensive work on RAW images (it also works with other images such as TIF and JPG). RT has a million adjustments, however, so there's definitely a "learning curve" with it. If my RAW image does not need a lot of work, then I simply use my preferred image editor, PhotoLine.