Capture One

[Latinbob]

Any Capture One users out there? I currently use Nikon Capture 4 for my RAW processing, and I tried Capture NX and hated it. I have been playing with Capture One and so far I like it, except for the unbelievable high price tag of the PRO version. Any reason to get the Pro version over LE if I don't shoot tethered? Any opinions are welcome.

[captlen]

I use Capture One started using it before Adobe Raw in PS. i love it but not sure I would spend the money now that PS has a good converter.

[Blinky]

I use C1 Pro for about a year... about two years ago. It's good software though I like the results I get with ACR better. The interface was funky in term of managing files and the thumbnail cache got out of control several times on me. No complaints, I just think Bridge/ACR/PS CS2 integration is easier to manage... even though Bridge is a bit of a dog memory-wise.

[Rense]

I regular use the following RAW converters:

• Breezebrowser (for making quick proofs)
• Capture One (for really nice red,orange and blue colors)
• RawShooter premium (including the color engine profile)
  but most of all:[br]
• Bibble Professional, so much ease, so many features...

[Paul Shields]

You guys have too much money . I tried C1 for a while and didn't adapt to it. ACR seems to work well enough with the Bridge - though I'll vouch for Blinky on it being a real memory hog. I'm pretty much staying with Silkypix these days as the colours are great out the box and the adjustment tools are subtle but powerful - though it's behind Bridge and others in handling large amounts of images. Still not found one converter that satisfies completely. Lightroom may hold promise, but the current beta is pretty sluggish.

[Latinbob]

I also downloaded the LE version and it seems pretty good as well. I don't see enough difference to justify the huge price difference between LE and Pro for my uses. I also noticed that Sandisk is bundling the LE version with some of their memory cards. I might give it try that way. I noticed the same thing that Rense did though. Capture One produces lovely reds and blues.

[cyclohexane]

A Capture One LE key came bundled with the Extreme III card I just got, so I'll be giving it a try. Currently, I'm wrestling with Nikon Capture NX, which I use because I haven't been able to produce the same colors in ACR. Also, I like the ability to toggle the in-camera image settings to view their effects on a monitor.

[Latinbob]

Where did you get your Extreme III card, hydrocarbon? There seems to be some confusion as to where and when this is available. Sounds like you found one though! I wanted to like NX, but the interface was not intuitive at all to me. I like Capture One LE so far.

[cyclohexane]

Fry's had the SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III card with $40 rebate... that ended today. =( I'll be downloading Capture One LE sometime this week to try it out.

I agree on Capture NX's interface being unintuitive; it took me forever to reign it in, but I can punch through it pretty fast now as I'm mainly using it as a RAW converter, and editing TIFFs in Photoshop. Right now, it's had the nicest color of the RAW converters I've tried, but Capture One might change that.

[Latinbob]

Did it say on the packaging that the LE key was included with the card? I was going to pick up a card too, but wanted to make sure I get one with the key included.

[cyclohexane]

No, it did not. No indication on the outside of the box. This is a fairly new promotion though.

[cyclohexane]

Well, I gave it a spin just now, and it seems to run pretty well.* It's faster than Nikon Capture NX, but just about anything is.* So far, colors look better than ACR.* Sample image here, a bit soft due to bad tripod technique, a thick window for a filter, and a 2x teleconverter; it was, however, the first RAW file I had handy.* Sharpened in Photoshop CS in LAB color mode instead of using Capture One.

[Latinbob]

What I've noticed so far is that it has saved my butt on blown-out reds from the D70. I had taken some shots of my niece in her red high school graduation gown and forgot how bad the D70 does with reds. Capture One did a good job making it look good. I tried it in Capture 4 and it is a total disaster! I think I am sold on Capture One LE.

Here is a link to one of the pictures I converted that had a lot of red:

[Mr. Pickles]

CRIKEYS.

Latinbob posted a picture. Good on ya, mate.

Having not seen the actual red (Courtney is scared of Mr. Pickles), this looks good. Hard to believe that Capture 4 made it a disaster. Did it hork up other stuff, or just reds?

And what is witht he numbers here? Is Capture 1 newer or better than Capture 4? Capture NX isn't even a number. Ought to be called "Fix Capture".

[Latinbob]

In Nikon Capture 4, the reds look very pink, with not much detail. The red channel is all blown out. Capture One LE (by Phase One) saved the day for sure.... or at least saved me a lot of time.

I agree that the names are confusing. Everyone wants "capture" in their product's title.

And oh yea, Nikon Capture NX is really made by the people from Nik, whom Nikon bought. Nik was not Nikon until Nikon bought them. Confused? You won't be after tonight's episode. (Obscure reference for Mr. Pickles).

[cyclohexane]

Capture 4 is the fourth version of Nikon Capture. *Capture NX is the new, redesigned version of Nikon Capture under collaboration with nik Software (no relation to Nikon), and is technically Capture 5.

Capture One is a totally unrelated program put out by Phase One, manufacturer of digital backs and other expensive stuff.

I must admit, I haven't had too many red issues with my D70, but most of my shots featuring lots of red were football players, where the faces are the important things anyhow. *Now, my D2H producing a red that isn't pushing orange or crimson will be a sight to see...

[Latinbob]

Yea, what he said! Thanks for that additional info, hydrocarbon. I have been trying to narrow my chioces for if and when I upgrade my D70, and that bit about the D2H helped. Now I just need a big raise so I can get a D200.

Mr. Pickles, can I have a raise in my allowance?