Raw, Photoshop and Canon's

[RobStubbs]

I've started to take pictures now in RAW but can't do much with them as my version of photoshop elements is too old (v2). It accepts RAW files but not canon's version CR2 and I can't update photoshop 'cos it's too old a version.

 

So my question is where to go from here ? I did think of getting the latest version of PS elements but conflicting information suggests my PC may not be man enough to run it.

 

In the meantime canons software with the camera (EOS 450D) can cope with it's RAW files, but I'm guessing it's not the best option.

 

Any advice from the sages here would be most welcome.

 

Cheers,

 

Rob.

[Steve Randles]

Roughly, what are your computer specs Rob?

 

Steve...

[Steve Randles]

Just grabbed this from another site I'm at...

 

ACR 4.3.1 is only compatible with Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 6.0. Compatibility with Photoshop CS2 and Photoshop Elements 5.0 is lost.

 

Camera Raw 4.3.1 update

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Canon PowerShot G9

Nikon D3

Nikon D300

Olympus E-3

Olympus SP-560 UZ

Panasonic DMC-L10

 

Camera Raw 4.4.1 update

Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi/EOS Kiss X2)

Fujifilm S100FS

Nikon D60

Olympus SP-570 UZ

Pentax K20D

Pentax K200D

Sony A200

Sony A300

Sony A350

 

 

Which means you would need a minimum of Adobe Camera RAW 4.4.1 coupled with Either Photoshop Elements 6 or Photoshop CS3 ( general info for all: Photoshop elements is a cut down version of Photoshop) if you where keen to keep going with the adobe softs.

 

 

Here is a list of FREE RAW converters...I've not used any of these myself except for RAW shooter essemntials and that was long ago..its now discontinued and bought out by adobe...now Lightroom!

 

Raw Converters free:

 

 

RawTherapee

http://www.rawtherapee.com/

Quite nice. You can find a mini review of it by me here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=48504

 

 

UFRaw

http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/

It's a pretty good tool. What I like best about it is the way it handles whites. Colour transitions usually seem nice and smooth, very pleasant. Comes with a plug-in for the GIMP.

 

 

RAWHide

http://www.my-spot.com/RHC/

A youngster, but already has some interesting features, namely batch processing and conversion algorithms.

 

 

dcraw + batch scripts

http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/dcraw/

It's a command line converter that works well with batch scripts and sometimes serves as a reference converter for other converters. You can find a tutorial how to use it here: http://www.guillermoluijk.com/tutori...w/index_en.htm. There's software that builds on it. You can find a list of that software on dcraw's homepage. There are also several GUI frontends for this neat tool.

 

 

s7raw (for Fuji cameras only)

http://www.my-spot.com/RHC/

Conversion samples combined with a tutorial: http://www.mattspinelli.com/s7raweditor2c.html.

 

 

RawShooter Essentials

http://www.my-spot.com/RHC/

It's discontinued but for some owners of older DSLRs, it' a gem. It had a commercial version. Adobe bought them and later Adobe Lightroom was born..

 

 

SILKYPIX Developer Studio

http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/

A bit slow and the output quality isn't the best you can get (but still OK). It's pretty easy to use, though. The free version is limited in featuresa and isn't updated as often as the paid version.

 

 

Stepok's Raw Importer

http://www.stepok.net/eng/raw_importer.htm

A very easy to use raw converter that gives good conversion quality, although export speed isn't anything to write home about.

 

 

Rawstudio

http://rawstudio.org/

An interesting raw converter for Linux.

 

 

Rawker

http://raifra.fh-friedberg.de/Mac/index-en.html

Mac OS X only.

 

 

Raw Photo Processor (RPP)

http://www.raw-photo-processor.com/

Mac OS X only.

 

 

I've used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom which will convert your files, but I use it hand in hand with Photoshop CS4 so wont recommend that route for you, but would if your comp was a little more powerful than it seems to be by your own admission.

 

Steve...

[RobStubbs]

Thanks Steve I'll take a look at the PC tonight - it might actually scrape in - it appears elements 8 requires less than elements 8 - and as you pointed out I'd need CR 4.4.1 - which I assume would work with elements 6+ (i.e. 8 would be ok ?).

 

I thought when I looked on the adobe site it only supported camera raw for the current version of elements, but I could be wrong...

 

NB/ I can work on the RAW files and convert to jpg using the canon software, it just doesn't seem to have tons of functionality - but then again, I don't really know what I'm going to need until I start going down the digital darkroom route.

 

Rob.

Edited January 5, 2010 by RobStubbs

[Sutton Warrior]

Hi Rob, I'm very much a green horn at this Elements/RAW thing. Recently . . . 12 months ago, went through hell with my 6 year old computer, crashing, freezing, and generally being a pain just at critical moments . . . bin job!!! Now my nice new 'Dual cored' box of tricks is very happy to accommodate me at break neck speed. I got the computer made to my order from www.easypc-uk.com mail order, Martin Weston is easy to deal with and a gentleman.

 

So now I can run most of what I need, currently Ev.7 with Camera Raw plug-in. Did you followed the saga in FP, of me getting the plug-in to work? In frustration I ordered Ev.8 whilst the saga unfolded . . . Ev.8 arrived Monday, not yet loaded it, v.7 is working so well. You say there is not so much functionality on you Canon RAW, I did not find so much functionality on Elements RAW either . . . however its fine for me as a newbie to RAW, offering the functions in RAW that I used most in Elements as JPG files.

 

SW

[Chippy]

Adobe Lightroom might be worth a look as well. I'm sure there's a free download trial on their site, so at least you'll be able to try it and see if it'll work on your PC.

 

In fact here's the link to the page you need. LIGHTROOM

[RobStubbs]

OK the PC is a 1.8 GHz, AMD dual core processor, 1GB RAM.

 

Elements 8 says it needs 2 GHz so I'm borderline, Elements 6 just needs 1.3. So 6 may make more sense - assuming I can install CR 4.4.1 ??? I guess I'd better go looking...

 

<edit - according to adobe, it just needs 1.6 GHz, and CR 4.4.1 is still available to download>

And of course elements 6 can be bought for 40 quid less so that's a big plus.

 

Cheers,

 

Rob.

Edited January 6, 2010 by RobStubbs

[RobStubbs]

After getting PS6 I am now using it with my RAW (or CR2) images. Processing those RAW files saves them as DNG files but I've yet to work out how to convert files into jpg's. So if anyone has any pointers or tips then please let me know. In the meantime I'll continue googling to see if I can find the answers..

 

Cheers,

 

Rob.

[Sutton Warrior]

After getting PS6 I am now using it with my RAW (or CR2) images. Processing those RAW files saves them as DNG files but I've yet to work out how to convert files into jpg's. So if anyone has any pointers or tips then please let me know. In the meantime I'll continue googling to see if I can find the answers..

 

Cheers,

 

Rob.

 

 

PS6? . . . I presume you mean PS Elements v.6, I dont keep up with full PS versions, so there may be a PS6? If it is Ev.6, its probably the same as my Ev.7. I simply open Elements, drag the RAW picture into the 'E window', Elements automatically opens it in a RAW overlay window. Make any adjustments then click the tab in the bottom right that says 'open Image', it automatically opens the picture in Elements, converted to JPG, make any further changes and work as normal.

[RobStubbs]

PS6? . . . I presume you mean PS Elements v.6, I dont keep up with full PS versions, so there may be a PS6? If it is Ev.6, its probably the same as my Ev.7. I simply open Elements, drag the RAW picture into the 'E window', Elements automatically opens it in a RAW overlay window. Make any adjustments then click the tab in the bottom right that says 'open Image', it automatically opens the picture in Elements, converted to JPG, make any further changes and work as normal.

Sorry I should have said PS Elements 6.

 

Ah, just spotted that and just tried it - and it worked. It's easy (and obvious) when you know how

 

Thanks !

 

Rob.

Edited April 7, 2010 by RobStubbs