Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Other Raw Converters => Topic started by: Stuarte on June 06, 2009, 07:36:40 am
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I took the plunge and bought DxO Pro Elite. I'm now figuring out how to use it in my workflow.
One initial experiment was checking out what DxO does automatically and comparing with what I get without DxO. So far, the process I've used has been importing files from my EOS 5D in RAW form (CR2) without specifying presets and without intervening manually. I've then exported the file from LR to DxO, where again I've just let it get on with the processing automatically, without changing presets. DxO then pops the finished file back into LR.
I've posted some results here (http://stuarte.smugmug.com/gallery/8451203_ho2zQ#555494124_wzBxc) - I make no claims of artistic/photographic merit but the comparisons may possibly be of use as an example of the results DxO gives to a guy who is by no means an expert user.
Net-net - I'm pleased I splashed out the money and looking forward to finding how best to use DxO in my workflow.
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Nice comparisons.
It's amazing to compare the difference between the results that the typical DSLR can offer when outputting
an image as a high quality jpeg file, and then running that resulting jpeg image through DXO for reprocessing.
I have not upgraded my DSLR or lenses in the last 5 years (a Canon 20D with Canon 17-40L, 70-200L, 10-22,
Tamron 28-75, ). 3 years ago I started shooting 100% in RAW format and processed with DXO
and noticed an immediate increase in detail and sharpness with these lenses. Reprocessing jpeg images
with DXO can also make a big difference in quality though not starting with RAW files removes a lot of
potential quality that can never be recovered when starting from original jpeg images.
I recently took a lot of pictures at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and was reviewing the resulting jpegs
after DXO had processed from the RAW originals. Everything sharp and proper. I started looking at Arboretum
pictures I had taken in 2005 with the same camera and lenses but before DXO and when I just let the 20D
process to the highest quality jpegs available. The pictures were not very sharp, the contrast was constricted,
and the overall images were blah. I ran these jpegs through DXO and just set the DXO Lighting to "medium".
The resulting jpegs were much sharper and the lighting and contrast were much improved so that there was
no longer the glaring difference between the RAW processed photos and the older ones originally taken as jpegs
with the Canon in-camera processing. It's as if a veil has been lifted from the photos.