RAW converter

Modern digital photography is very much associated with image processing programs. Sometimes, just the photo editor creates exactly that photo, which we ultimately consider the work of the photographer.

RAW converter

RAW converter


Modern digital photography is insidious, sometimes it turns into ordinary mathematical tricks, which I already wrote about in articles'Subpixels', 'Gigapixels', 'JPEG", "Tricks with RAW'and'RAW setup'. Any photograph taken in the so-called raw format - RAW, for printing or viewing on a computer must be converted (converted) into a simpler format with an unambiguous representation of the data. This program is usually called a RAW converter ('rav-converter'). There are just a lot of such converters, but due to the specifics of the raw files of each individual camera, the converters sometimes cannot recreate the “correct” photo from this raw data. It is often said that for the best results you need to use only the “native software” that sometimes comes with the camera.

Below is my experiment that everyone can repeat. The essence of the experiment is very simple - you need to convert the same raw file with different converters and see what happens :) The photo from the experiment was taken on Nikon Nikkor-SC Auto 1: 1.4 f = 50mm, I specifically chose a lens without microprocessor contacts to exclude any specific image enhancement by the converter by correcting lens imperfections from the database. The picture was taken in difficult lighting conditions: very cloudy weather, two flashes.

Link to the archive with photos. (The archive takes 96.9 MB to view the packed files, the archive should be unpacked). Attention: the photos are not for the faint of heart, they are especially dangerous for scammers and pixel worms :)

The archive contains the following files:

  • DSC_5549.NEF - original RAW file obtained during shooting. Nikon D700, 14bit, lossless compression, control vignetting, ADL, noise reduction at slow shutter speeds, noise reduction at high ISO - were off. All shot in Picture Control mode SD (standard mode): contrast correction - 0, brightness - 0, saturation - 0, hue - 0, sharpness - position 5 out of 10. White balance - "flash". If you turn on all the native "improvements", then third-party software copes with displaying data even worse. EXIF You can look at any available program that you are used to. If there is no such program, then it is easy to do using the service on http://regex.info/exif.cgi.
  • DSC_5549.JPG - original JPEG file obtained during RAW + JPEG shooting, settings are described above. JPEG L with quality priority.
  • DSC_5549 (acr-original) .jpg - file converted with Adobe Camera Raw 6.0 (ACR 6.0) in default mode.
  • DSC_5549 (acr-auto) .jpg - file converted with Adobe Camera Raw 6.0 in auto mode.
  • DSC_5549 (capturexn2-original) .jpg - file converted with CaptureNX 2 v 2.4.5 in default mode.
  • DSC_5549 (capturexn2-pt) .jpg - file converted with CaptureNX 2 v 2.4.5 with PT selected capture mode.
  • DSC_5549 (lr-auto-tone) .jpg - file converted with nude Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.2 using the 'Auto tone' command. When exporting to JPEG, the quality was 100%, other settings were default.
  • DSC_5549 (lr-original) .jpg - file converted using nude Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.2 in default mode with standard profiles installed along with the LR setting. When exporting to JPEG, the quality was 100%, other settings were default.
  • DSC_5549 (photoshop-from-original-jpeg-with-auto-levels) .jpg - this is how the processed on-camera JPEG looks like with Photoshop's “auto levels” command.
  • DSC_5549 (viewnnx2-after-quick-adjust) .NEF - this is what ViewNX 2 did from the original RAW when installed white balance 'Calculate automaticaly' and PT mode is selected.
  • DSC_5549 (viewnx2-auto-pt) .JPG - ViewNX 2 on install white balance 'Calculate automaticaly' and PT mode is selected.
  • DSC_5549 (viewnx2-original) .JPG - ViewNX 2 by default
  • DSC_5549 (inverted original jpeg) .JPG - original JPEG rotated 90 ° for viewing with built-in utility for Windows OS
  • picassa-view-original-nef-file.jpg - this is how the original RAW file looks when viewed by Google Picassa, a screenshot of the program window.

No comment.

Configuring a converter is a very delicate and necessary task.

I would like to share some experience of using converters. I really like the way native ViewNX and CaptureNX display a photo. In order to reproduce the image as accurately as possible - since I saw it on the camera display and in real life, I use the “native” converters. Refinement (retouching, color correction and other boring routine) is done in Photoshop. I like a bit of a sadistic mechanism: first correct the original RAW (NEF) file using ViewNX, export the result to TIFF (16-bit uncompressed), and then finalize it in Photoshop. Thus, I get the parameters of the photo closest to the original. ViewNX has three very strong negative aspects:

  1. changes the original RAW file, after which the camera will not see it
  2. no noise reduction function, which greatly limits ViewNX when converting images at high ISO
  3. requires tremendous computing power

CaptureNX is also a very interesting and very useful converter with many subtle "native" settings that other converters do not have (for example dust removal function) But for some reason, he didn’t take root with me, I use it only for very thoughtful picking in RAW files.

Well, of course, Lighroom comes in handy when you need to deal with large file sizes. Nothing better for batch processing RAW has yet been invented :) I already began to notice that I behave like a gamer - when working in LR, I keep my left hand near the 'asd' keys for quick access to some functions. There is nothing better than turning on LR in the evening, pressing the letter 'F' twice (switch to full screen mode) and starting to fancy a photo.

My usual job at LR

LR load when processing photos in the Develop tab. Processor I3-3240, 8GB DDR3

Leave your thoughts about converters in the comments.

Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Add a comment: Andrei

 

 

Comments: 247, on the topic: RAW converter

  • varezhkin

    I also vote with both hands for native programs from Nikon for NEF. ViewNX since version 2.3.0 has become the smartest guy ever! (the latest version for today is 2.8.3). There are separate 64bit versions. The program is very convenient and you get used to it over time, I now can not calmly look at other converters. Color is what you need without dancing, it turns out at a time. The histogram, exposure parameters, focus points, etc. are immediately visible. Everything is just like in the Nikon camera itself. All digital cameras from Nikon are supported. In VNX, it is very convenient to view and make the simplest initial photo editing (exposure, WB, shadows, color profiles / monochrome / sepia, crop, rotation, etc.). Batch processing is very good too. There is a batch resize when converting to jpeg. The only thing for the new Nikon cmos cameras is somewhat crooked picture control profiles, in my opinion. The best result here is a custom “linear” profile based on standard or neutral. There is beauty! Even for the veteran D700, this applies. For finer processing and all sorts of effects - there is the mighty Capture NX2, which also became very nimble with the latest versions (the latest version for today is 2.4.5). Plus there is very much !! nice effects package for CNX is Nik Color Efex Pro which ceased to exist as Nik and no longer develop this plugin for CNX. But this program is on the network at a time, all new versions of the native software still support it (the latest version of Nik CE Pro is 3.004). CaptureNX has everything your heart desires, incl. unrealistically good noise reduction and other delights. You can create any batch jobs and apply them as desired. True, everything is implemented somewhat less conveniently than in VNX, in my opinion, where everything is simple and intuitive. In general, VNX and CNX are the best choices, in my opinion, for Nikon.

  • varezhkin

    “... in Capture NX, additional changes are deactivated from the New step tab to the basic ones (if for some reason you need to go back) this is most annoying, I even forgive him the interface - you need to make a change in the database, then poke into the last additional one to see what you did it, well, if you didn't like it, welcome back ... to the poke method ... "
    - this drawback is just easy to eliminate. in CaptureNX settings, general tab - check the box “keep all steps active in edit list” (but this requires a more powerful processor).

  • varezhkin

    "... there is no way to create a preset (it infuriates to pull the sliders for each photo) (View NX)"
    VNX normally supports editing several photos at once, and then saving the changes to the rav-file.

    • Maksim

      Can you give more details on how to do this and from which version is this feature present?

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Thank you, Arkady, for the article! I have been using ACR + PS for a long time and everything was fine with me, but after your experiment I also tried to compare the result of ACR with VNX and ... I was very upset. After the native converter, the photo is much sharper and no longer requires processing in PS. But using VNX is masochism for me, and therefore I solved the problem for myself! I downloaded the profile for my d90 camera and applied it to the photo in the Adobe Camera Raw converter, the settings are all zero except for vibrance. Then in PS I applied the action with channel sharpening. And the result completely suited me (the pictures were identical) now you can edit the light and color in ACR and then add sharpness in batch to PS. To anyone interested, I can send examples by e-mail.

    • Sergey Vladimirovich

      Vitaliy, for reference, vibrance is an ACR instrument that increases saturation to a greater extent in cold tones and to a lesser extent in warm ones and is used for example: when you need to increase the saturation of the sky and to a lesser extent affect the skin, etc. and in some cases when for example there are no cold tones in the photo (blue, blue, etc.) it can be useless.
      Sharpening is the latest operation in image processing, you can slightly sharpen the RAW converter with standard tools before processing in Photoshop but delicately, you should not get carried away very much.

      • anonym

        I agree, but I do not use the vibrance tool in my work. For me, the task was to make the same picture from two different converters. The sharpening algorithm in ACR and Lightroom is inconvenient for me, because amplifies noise.

        • Sergey Vladimirovich

          I agree in the ACR sharpening tool does not work well, the native Capture NX2 has the most features from all the converters. Here you can use the High Pass tool in the blending mode to adjust the overlap and the degree of influence with the opacity slider or you can increase the sharpness with the tool, first in the dimming mode and the opacity slider we completely control the dark halos, then in the blending mode the opacity slider controls the light halos .

  • vianna

    I have been using Picasa for 4 years now. A very convenient program for cataloging and editing (individual photos and batches). A year ago I switched to a DSLR. NEFs converted to JPEs are like native ones, and if desired, there is a manual and auto correction. Downloaded DSC_5549.NEF, I “twisted” it in Picasa, compared it with the rest of the options and realized that I would not refuse Picasa. And for detailed processing you need Ps.

    • Oleg

      And what in Pikasa is it possible to convert NEF to JPEG? Please explain. I'm just starting to use it. I liked her too. And another question, is there noise reduction in Picas or not?

  • Ronin427

    That’s why you didn’t miss my post with the photo converted to Aperture? = (((
    Let people compare. IMHO the best converter.

  • varezhkin

    It happened !!! Finally, they added a finer adjustment of the BB color tint to the native software for NEF !!! Hurrah!
    Meet ViewNX 2.9.0! https://nikoneurope-ru.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/59197
    “- The setting units for the Tint parameter have been changed from 1 to 0,01 for more precise adjustment.”
    - Added support for adjusting using the Fine Adjustment and Tint parameters in the Recorded Value modes !!!
    and many other innovations!

  • Ivan

    Arkady is a very interesting article,
    it would be nice to hear your opinion about Canon converters)

  • Igor

    UFRaw + GIMP quite got accustomed to me

  • Evgen

    A “masterpiece” has appeared - Nikon Capture NX2-D! Just renamed SilkyPix to Nikon. NX2-D is very rough, many adjustments have disappeared, in a word, the program has become complete .... Stay on NX2 2.4.6 and do not twitch, wait for the third version ……….

    • zenzoomzen

      Only 3 versions of the cap will no longer be ... NX2-D is what awaits the owners of future generations of Nikon cameras. Sometimes there is a feeling that in Nikon idiots are engaged in marketing.

  • Kirill

    compared the pictures of vnx and lr - I decided that only vnx (despite the fact that there are more settings in lr), in lr it seems like a different picture ...
    but I can't put capture nx - it writes
    that there is no “net framevork 2.0 / 4.0”, (I have xp sp3 x32)

    • Kirill

      I was delighted early, it turned out that LR just immediately shows what will happen, and VNX shows what it photographed, and when converted, it still gives out a “gray dull picture” why even create such! cameras that are so! taking pictures (D200)? if, when converting to jpg, everything spoils anyway !!!
      somehow stupid to get a nice picture, and after a shit conv. try to programmatically draw out what you have already done with a camera ...

    • Kirill

      ... is there really no way from NEF to get the original in jpg, as you see it in the camera and in the VNX window ???
      TELL ME PLEASE!!!! maybe you need to somehow configure VNX? - HOW to squeeze the original out of it ???

      • Do_Oraemon

        Calibrate the monitor - first things first. And then you convert not to JPEG, but to TIFF. Immediately in JPEG, 8-bit will not be good. Already through Photoshop then convert, although I leave in TIFF.

  • Paul

    Of course, third-party programs only with the color profile of the camera, only after that experiments. Without this, the kindergarten ...

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Tell me why the FastStone Image Viewer is bad or good, I switched to it for a long time with ACDSee, it works smartly right from the view, you can edit it. Can anyone know about any nuances?

    • Sirj

      not for professionals!

      Super! I still use ACDSee (one of the first to view version 2.03 seems to be a version adapted for Pentax 2004 for editing) and connected to the FastStone Image Viewer several years ago.

      but this is not for professionals ... (there are a couple more, but this is for rare shots), in general, I adhere to the fact that cropping, as post-processing, is the maximum allowable action on a shot. Well, more brightness. In general, like working with film. No, well, retouching sometimes ... happens.

      • Alexander

        I have also been using the FastStone Image Viewer ONLY for several years. And very pleased.

  • Alexey

    Rawtherapee try. The price is zero - the possibilities are good.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    twisted 4 different converters after a photo shoot with a green skin, the lightroom turned out to be the best after developing

  • sergey

    accidentally in the net I ran into DxO OpticsPro 10 now even enough simple conversion to zhpeg picture is just a masterpiece camera nikon d5100

    • Sergei

      DxO OpticsPro 10 is ideal for the Nikon D5100, with the default settings copes in 95% of cases.
      But I bought a D810 - and I don't know how to process RAWS (or rather, you can only file by file, slowly, in manual mode, with strong brakes, all desire disappears). That DxO OpticsPro 10, that the latest version of Photoshop (only in March there was a version with support for D810!) Except for correcting distortions, they do almost nothing on the machine in batch mode.
      Tell me, please, the best program for D810 NEF files, if anyone knows?

      • Jury

        Lightroom

        • Sergei

          Thanks, I will try.

        • Sergei

          I tried it. So I assumed: Lightroom works quickly and less efficiently, it removes noise from high iso poorly, and increasing exposure in dark images does not compensate for overexposure. I stay at DxO.

  • Sigismund

    Converted from nave to tiff ViewNX 2, Capture NX 2 and ACDSee Pro 7. And compared to ACDSee. The monitor is ordinary, but it is very clear that the conversion to ACDSee is better, it is not inferior to the original nave, even a one-to-one histogram. Jpeg also looks better.
    In native convoys, there is overexposure and juiciness is lost.

  • Alexander Malyaev

    I have 2 IPS monitors with factory calibration. I tried LightRoom, C1, Camera RAW, AcdSee Pro by itself, Capture NX2. Best Nikon color retains Capture NX2. This is for the D7100, for other cameras it could be different. Plus now, the basic photo correction (it can also be final if the picture was more or less successful) also began to be done in Сapture NX2, there are very convenient Control Points mechanisms that I haven’t found analogues yet, proprietary Nikon lens correction mechanisms, all changes made are stored in NEF (also not anywhere else). Capture NX2 does not work with the new carcasses; Capture NX-D is suitable only for NEF conversion but not for work.

  • Vitaliy

    Tell me what could be the problem. I use captur nx2 2.4.6 when processing a picture in nef format, correcting white balance, contrast, saturation, etc. Focusing on visual sensations, I convert to jpeg 100%, and there is not what I wanted, namely oversharpness (grain) and oversaturated colors. I didn’t notice this before, maybe I was picking something somewhere or what codecs are needed

  • Sergey Dmitrievich

    OOOOOfiget))) I've been taking photos for more than a year, converting to ViewNX and just came across this article)) I was pleasantly surprised by my preference!)

  • Alexander

    And how do you capture one pro 9. I convert everything in it. The color is beautiful, there is batch processing, work with layers, etc. After this program, I will not use Lightroom ./https://www.phaseone.com/en.aspx

  • Pasheka

    I have been using Nikon Capture NX2 2 for about 2.4.7 years, this year I tried DxO Optics Pro 10.4.0.
    I was very surprised Kaptur lost (especially in noise and sharpness) in a comparative test with minimal processing. I had to replace the percent. on i5 because DxO Optics Pro 10.4.0. braked on the previous one. Uploading a photo does not make sense, because the difference can be seen with a minimum file size of 2 MB, such a size cannot be inserted on the site. Who cares, try DxO Optics Pro 10.4.0. Download no problem.

  • Yuriy

    Long ago backing on capture one pro 7.

  • luk

    Good day!
    I have been using ViewNX for a long time, but annoying the lack of the ability to transfer
    setting made on one photo to the others of the same type. (save preset)
    Each photo must be customized.
    I read in the comments that this can be done, but there were no details
    I climbed all the prog - I did not find it, but it's a pity.

    Maybe someone knows how?

    • Lion0608

      I put the second version, I'm playing. Despite being a beginner, everything is convenient.
      Liked - leveling the horizon (turns not only 90 degrees)
      - curvy (you can not go into fsh)

      I didn't like it - there is no batch processing (or, like you, I didn't find ((
      - IMHO - there are too many superfluous things that you get used to doing in fsh
      - during installation, they imposed on me absolutely unnecessary functionality for video.

      With regard to video, I still belong to the category of archaic nerds who, in the Avisint + dub bundle, uncompress any source before placing it in a video editor, I work with Vegas and Adobe, and all the intermediate stages of Nikon's subtleties for video are generally not relevant (as it seems to me, I could be wrong). As a last resort, ck video can always be drawn in After Effects at a good level.

      Link - in the new version of the program http://fotoexperts.ru/news/nikon-viewnx-i.html a certain “multistage” appeared, i.e. the converter will be an intermediate link, after which there are separate Nikon programs for processing separately video, separately photos. This is already logical, although many may find it an inconvenient excess.

    • Dmitriy

      Select the desired photos. Changing the settings of one of them, change the others. After click save. If many photos are selected, saving takes some time. The status of the process is visible in the right corner of the program window.

      • luk

        Thanks, I understand, I'll try
        Actually, I started trying SILKYPIX Developer Studio Pro and Bibble labs Pro
        I liked SILKYPIX, I think Nikon Capture NX D ripened from it
        Regards, luk

    • anonym

      try to select some photos and change the settings.

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