LightZone 3.6 out (e-420/e-520 raw support)

[Raist3d]

Finally. Those who have LightZone, just boot it up with a connection to the internet and see the prompt for an update. If not, go to lightcrafts directly.

[Paul Shields]

I've still not tried Lightzone, though I know a couple of people who swear by it when using it for Olympus RAW files. I'm still a Lightroom fan these days (though with the odd dabbling in Silkypix for my E-1 shots). How does it handle large numbers of images? I presume there's no DAM functionality built in?

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I've still not tried Lightzone, though I know a couple of people who swear by it when using it for Olympus RAW files. I'm still a Lightroom fan these days (though with the odd dabbling in Silkypix for my E-1 shots). How does it handle large numbers of images? I presume there's no DAM functionality built in?

My advice here is to upgrade to LightRoom 2.0 and don't look back. A lot of the functionality of LightZone as an advantage went away the moment Aperture and LightRoom added dodge/burn type tools. IT doesn't do DAM. You can buy the basic edition and use it in conjunction with LightRoom.

What it still has is a very unique interface that is great for some specific things like zoning/burning/dodge/b&W conversions. Sounds neat but a lot of that is now in the hands of the latest Aperture/LightRooms as you can do local changes in those now.

LightZone still offers some advantages on the interface, but really, it's slow, they are not updating it as fast as they used to, does no DAM...

I would still say, download the trial, so you can see for yourself what a photography app (and not Photoshop) should be, though Aperture and LightRoom also fullfill that, LightZone's interface in a couple of areas is pretty unique. Bible Pro 5 I think is going to add vector masking layered operations so with that LightZone's advantage, or last advantage- if you lik those, goes away.

- Raist

[Paul Shields]

I'm on Lightroom 2 and as you say - I don't look back . I've dabbled with Aperture in the past but much prefer the LR way of working with images.