What Raw Converter do you recommend?

[DoublyDan]

Just checked and I see that I have 5_1, 5_2, 5_3, 5_7, and one that is older but not labeled with a number...I saved it in Dec 07 but it probably wont work due to the fact that XSi came out in April 08...one of the first 3 I listed may work for you though...PM me if you are interested...

[Some Idiot]

ACR is what I like

[Marburg]

I had 3.7 and then tried to replace it with 5.6 which didn't work.

[DoublyDan]

You may also want to download their camera profiles which help identify which cameras you use...I would have attached but it is 34MB and didn't know if your email would support that...Check adobes website.

[BettyG]

Lightroom is a must have in my book ;-) you will love it! In addition I would suggest you download a free program called FastStone, it's an image viewer and it will handle RAW files as well, it also has editing capabilities, and is wicked fast at loading pics.

Betty

[Rson]

Adobe loves to stick it to you with the Camera Raw....
Version 4.x will work with CS3
Version 5.x will work with CS4
Version 6.x will work with CS5

You cannot load a newer raw profile on legacy version. This has been the case for years. So if you get a new camera, don't plan on using raw in an older photoshop version.

[Marburg]

Thanks Betty. I will try the FastStone.

Thanks Rich. I will certainly keep that in mind. Unfortunately I can not afford to move to a new version of Photoshop. I can however get Lightroom since I can get it at a 50% discount through my employer. I was just hoping to not have to do that right now with the holidays just around the corner money is a bit tight.

[venchka]

In my very limited experience, once you learn how to use Lightroom you won't need Photoshop. I use two additional pieces of software, one free and one donationware that cost $10, to add the photomerge and HDR features of Photoshop. Both work with Canon CR2 RAW files.
Microsoft ICE for stitching:
Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE)
LR/Enfuse plugin for exposure and focus blending:
LR/Enfuse - Blend Multiple Exposures Together in Adobe Lightroom

Using the two add ons saved me buying extra Pano & HDR software making the total cost of Lightroom vs. Photoshop very affordable.

[Marburg]

Hi Wayne,
I'm planning to get Lightroom. Everyone here has convinced me. I've downloaded the two software you recommended to go with it. Thank you.

[venchka]

You're welcome. I hope it all works for you.

[DoublyDan]

Originally Posted by Rson

Adobe loves to stick it to you with the Camera Raw....
Version 4.x will work with CS3
Version 5.x will work with CS4
Version 6.x will work with CS5

You cannot load a newer raw profile on legacy version. This has been the case for years. So if you get a new camera, don't plan on using raw in an older photoshop version.

Wish we would have known that yesterday when we were trying to trouble shoot...thanks for the heads up...I keep these because I needed them at one time and I figure throwing them on a disc with a bunch of other stuff wont hurt anything... we tried though....

In my experience Lightroom works in conjunction with Photoshop for major digital manipulations...But Lightroom has stripped my photoshop hours to almost none per week...It used to be the only program I used..

[Marburg]

I wish I'd known that yesterday also. :-D. Anyway, thanks for all your time and effort trying to help me. Going to find a way to get Lightroom. I know I can get it for around $99 at my place of employment.

Originally Posted by DoublyDan

Wish we would have known that yesterday when we were trying to trouble shoot...thanks for the heads up...I keep these because I needed them at one time and I figure throwing them on a disc with a bunch of other stuff wont hurt anything... we tried though....

In my experience Lightroom works in conjunction with Photoshop for major digital manipulations...But Lightroom has stripped my photoshop hours to almost none per week...It used to be the only program I used..

[tx20d]

I started off using C1 PRO several years ago but they were slow to support Vista when it first came out and I moved to Lightroom. Lightroom 3 has some nice new features and I'm still playing with it a little.

I recently tried the latest C1 PRO 5 and I liked it but it has one issue that irks the crap out of me. It creates a CaptureOne cache directory (which also has a few sub-directories) in every folder of your library. I don't know about you all, but I like to keep my file system free of clutter. What this also means is that it bloats your directories and will take longer to copy stuff between machines or to removable media.

I would say if you bring yourself to spend $299 or especially $99 through your employer, Lightroom is the way to go.

[Rson]

Maybe We can make it a sticky about ACR and versions.

[Marburg]

That is a great idea! I find the Adobe website difficult to navigate. A sticky about ACR versions would be wonderful.

Originally Posted by Rson

Maybe We can make it a sticky about ACR and versions.