I have taken a look at both enfuse and photomatix now. The results of both programs are not quite what i am looking for yet... although i realise i need to experiment more before i can rule out user error! In the meantime, does anyone have a quick way of using either program (or any other that will work on a mac?) to simply extend usable detail further into highlight and low light areas whilst minimising noise? Maintaining real tonal relationships and preservation of detail are paramount.
From what i have read, Zero noise (PC only) looks like the best approach, being both simple and logical. If its principles could be applied to two raw files, especially if this could be done within lightroom, extreme contrast would be much easier to deal with. My biggest problem with high contrast in landscapes, when trying to deal with these issues, is movement: rivers, clouds and trees just wont sit still for me!