LR vs DPP questions

[ptrd]

I have always used DPP and recently got LR3, I do have cs4 as well.

Anyways I always assumed LR3 was this wonderful program that would quicken my workflow. I guess it hasn't been the case yet and i find myself reverting back to DPP due to it's simplicity and I guess I'm more familiar with it.

I tried watching some tutorials online but it appears LR3 does about what I need DPP to do, just slower.

1. It seems like it takes forever for LR3 to generate preview files in the "library" where as I open DPP and all files are instantly generated.

2. I guess I don't do much editing other than WB correction, crop/level, lense distortion, and exposure adjustment which both seem to do very quickly with recipes.

So what am I missing? What does LR3 benefit over DPP?

[contributor_M]

Publishing.

Stick with what you know.

[ptrd]

Publishing like to fb / smugmug / etc?

I saw those options on the left but honestly I don't find it too troublesome to upload an album to fb or my own website since I create new subfolders.

[Orogeny]

Honestly, if you are more comfortable with DPP, you should stick with it. DPP is a good program and, if it is capable of doing what you need and you are familiar with it, there is no reason to switch.

That said, I switched from DPP to LR3 for several reasons. The most important are that I like the way LR3 renders raw photos better than DPP, LR3 has very good noise reduction, and LR3 allows me to automatically correct my photos taken with Sigma lenses.

You need a more powerful computer when using LR3. As you noted, it is slow, but if you have a fast processor and lots of memory, those lag times dissapear.

[contributor_M]

Originally Posted by ptrd

Publishing like to fb / smugmug / etc?

I saw those options on the left but honestly I don't find it too troublesome to upload an album to fb or my own website since I create new subfolders.

Stick with what you know then.

I started with Lightroom even though DPP came with my camera. So DPP is foreign.

Seen people do amazing work with it.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by ptrd

I have always used DPP and recently got LR3, I do have cs4 as well.

Anyways I always assumed LR3 was this wonderful program that would quicken my workflow. I guess it hasn't been the case yet and i find myself reverting back to DPP due to it's simplicity and I guess I'm more familiar with it.

I tried watching some tutorials online but it appears LR3 does about what I need DPP to do, just slower.

1. It seems like it takes forever for LR3 to generate preview files in the "library" where as I open DPP and all files are instantly generated.

2. I guess I don't do much editing other than WB correction, crop/level, lense distortion, and exposure adjustment which both seem to do very quickly with recipes.

So what am I missing? What does LR3 benefit over DPP?

Of course DDP is going to be fast and more accurate. The DDP software is written by Canon specifically for their camera bodies. LR3 is created by a third party and does its best to emulate results.

I would stick with DDP if all you are going to do is WB correction, crop/level, lense distortion, and exposure adjustment. Plus DDP will keep the jpg preview image created in camera if you're shooting RAW files(CR2).

These are just a few reasons why I would use LR3 vs DDP:

1. Adjustment brushes
2. Graduated filters
3. Web Module
4. Non-destructive workflow
5. Virtual Copies

[ptrd]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I will still try both, I have noticed I like the noise reduction in LR3 better.

I have a 50d and iso 800-1200 is routine for restaurant photos or in general if I want a decent indoor shutter speed.