Third Party Sharpeners

[d2creative]

Unrelated to my other thread... when doing normal post processing sharpening, do you find that "third party" (non-photoshop) sharpening software like Nik Sharpener give better results? Just wondering if it's worth the money if you already have Photoshop CS3.
Usually I just use a little bit of unsharp mask or smart sharpen and it's enough but figured there must be a reason these stand alone options are out there. I've downloaded the odd trial in the past but never put enough time in to really learn it and achieve results that were noticeably different/better.

[canoflan]

I have considered the Nik Sharpener, however, until they update it for running in nonRosetta mode on the Mac, I will wait for 3.0. Currently, the Nik Sharpener 2.0 is only able to run in Rosetta mode on the Mac.

In terms of its ability to sharpen well, it is highly recommended, however, I haven't tried it myself. I cannot vouch for any benefits those that recommend it may be receiving for recommending it so highly.

I have downloaded scripts from certain photoshop websites that do something similar in terms of "output sharpening" and used them for myself. They are based on the ppi of the image size and level of sharpening you want to achieve and can be run in expert mode for full customization of the sharpening while running the scripts (all similar to the NIk software abilities). I frankly am happy with this vs. the Nik software sharpening for the time being.

Pat

[yangez]

Usually if you want better sharpening with less overshooting while using USM, you want to apply it only to the L channel. So Edit->Fade->Luminance after you apply the USM for less artifacts.

As for a third party sharpening filter, I usually use Topaz Vivacity, it's low priced, does a lot, and although I haven't tried Nik Sharpener, it does a great job for my needs so far.

[kenmyers70]

I've been using the FocalBlade plugin for the last month and really beginning to like it. It allows you to apply different sharpening for edges and flat areas and overall gives you much more control than a USM. You can probably create the same effects with a series of layer masks but this is much simpler.

[luis_relampago]

Dennis let me ask you, when you sharp an image in PS what do you do? There is varius techniques on sharpening an image, for example:
Duplicate background layer>on the copy layer change the mode to luminosity and applay a unsharp mask filter.
There is more techniques like sharpening on LAB mode on the luminocity channel, also sharpening from camera RAW.
I have focalblade and it's pretty good I used it the same way I use unsharp mask in LAB mode.

[d2creative]

luis, typically i just create another layer so i have the original if i need it and apply usm. Usually something like 100/.5
Sometimes I use edge sharpening in Aperture when converting from raw.
This is if I'm lazy. Otherwise I switch to lab mode and then sharpen the luminosity channel. But that's all i really know.

I think i really need to expand my sharpening knowledge/techniques.

[JohnT]

I've been using PhotoKit Sharpener, which is based on the book Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 by Bruce Fraser. I've been very pleased with the results. I do recommend reading the book first, though, so you understand the thinking (the "why") behind the software.

[ChuckW]

Here is another PhotoKit Sharpener user. It does an outstanding job and allows sharpening to be done in up to three separate and distinct steps. Highly recommended!

[johnastovall]

And other for PhotoKit Sharpener. Best out there that I've tried.