Best Raw converter for H3Dii 39

[woof75]

So I've just bought a second hand H3Dii 39. (currently using Leica M9's but want a little extra resolution for campaigns and also a better viewfinder for slightly longer lenses). Anyhow I use Capture one now, what's the best Raw converter for the Hasselblads? How's the Phocus software? I'm slightly nervous about it..

[design_freak]

Hi,
C1 can't read hasselblad raws. Sorry to say but Phocus give you best possible IQ. (use 2.7.1) Anyway you can use Adobe LR with tether plug-in.

[woof75]

How is Phocus? Is it as bad as they say?

[design_freak]

I think it is easy and simple but it is not perfect 

[woof75]

A few of my assistants are a little sceptical about it, maybe they used an old version. Saying that, every time a new version of capture one comes out they hate that too!!

[woof75]

Also, I always hear the quality is great, how's image management? When shooting 1.5K files in a day that all need to be rated etc that becomes pretty important of course.

[Ed Foster, Jr.]

As Keith said, IMHO it provides for the best rendering of Hasselblad files. But, hey, it's free, so most all of your questions will be answered once you try it for yourself.

Regards,
Ed

[Go Go]

Phocus, is the best raw converter for the files generated from an H camera.

How you sort the files is your choice, I prefer Bridge. Some like LR? Your call.

BTW, I have shot more than 1500 files with the H in a day and processed through Phocus just fine.

[design_freak]

Mostly, Assistants are lazy assholes. They do not want to learn. They repeat somewhere heard opinions.  If they want to work with you, they will learn 

[woof75]

Mostly, Assistants are lazy assholes. They do not want to learn. They repeat somewhere heard opinions.  If they want to work with you, they will learn 

I can't believe you just said that.. I actually have a few that are incredible. A great assistant is worth more than any fancy camera.

[Doug Peterson]

Always funny the way opinions are formed and shaped by point of view.

I teach a lot of very good digital techs in our Capture One classes.

You should hear what they say about the average photographer they tech for. 

[design_freak]

I can't believe you just said that.. I actually have a few that are incredible. A great assistant is worth more than any fancy camera.

Believe me, unfortunately assistants are as like photographers. Good occur very rarely.
But from what you write, you will not have this problem. They will  learn it for breakfast.

[JoeKitchen]

Assistants, assholes?  Wow.  

This is a great attitude for a hiring manager to have; I am sure it helps you find the best of the best along with motivating your said "assholes" from giving you their undivided attention.  

I plus one for having a few great assistants on my list.  However, I will say that there is a learning curve that anyone needs to go through when working with some one new.  Lets not forget that we have own style of lighting and staging that they need to learn first.  This could take a few shoots and we need to give them that before making an assessment.  

The biggest complaints I hear from my assistants is when they work for a photographer the first time and are expected to know exactly how they are going to light and stage the scene without being told.  Second complaint, being blamed for the mistakes of the photographer.  (IMHO, you should really know how to use your own damn camera, including troubleshooting, setting different modes, actually shooting the thing, how to properly tether the camera, knowing how to use your Raw or Viewing processors, etc.)

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

My take is that you should be able to use the tools you are familiar with. I would not, repat not, buy any camera that would not let me use a parametric workflow. I do think that cameras should work with any raw converter.

What I have seen is that Hasselblad files work well with Lightroom. Getting a certain set of tools working your way may take a bit of effort.

In my view, proprietary software is simply stupid. Photographers should own they pictures and have freedom to choose any toolchain of their own. Locking in customers is EVIL.

Best regards
Erik

[woof75]

How is lightroom on skintones with the H series backs?

[Dustbak]

Just forget about anything else but Phocus when color/IQ is important to you. There is no other Raw converter that is as good as Phocus. Yes, the first versions of Phocus were tricky, buggy and not very stable but current versions are really stable. Phocus does put demands on your hardware.

Current instability is mostly due to bad firewire cables and/or connections to the back.

As far as using Phocus goes, I think it is pretty straightforward. Phocus is a pretty simple program with fairly limited functionality. It does what it should. I shoot plarge amounts of images pretty regularly and mostly without issues (the issue being the firewire connection in almost every case).

[design_freak]

True

[gigdagefg]

Phocus is extremely user friendly
Stanley

[woof75]

oh sounds promising, I'm quite excited to try this out.

[TMARK]

I just saw some H4-40 files out of LR.  They looked pretty good.  Nice skin.  I bet Phocus would be better.  This was for an above the line ad campaign.