The best sharpening software

[RMW]

Hello All.
What is the best and perhaps easiest to use sharpening software? I've been using Jeff Schewe's "PhotoKit Sharpener" with satisfactory results, but it's been around for awhile and I'm wondering if there's something newer that works even better ?
BTW: I edit fotos in the latest version of PS and ACR.
Thank you for reading.
Richard
richardwallerphotos.com

[Tony Jay]

Hello All.
What is the best and perhaps easiest to use sharpening software? I've been using Jeff Schewe's "PhotoKit Sharpener" with satisfactory results, but it's been around for awhile and I'm wondering if there's something newer that works even better ?
BTW: I edit fotos in the latest version of PS and ACR.
Thank you for reading.
Richard
richardwallerphotos.com

Are you aware that the exact same algorithms are already incorporated into Lightroom and ACR?

[digitaldog]

Are you aware that the exact same algorithms are already incorporated into Lightroom and ACR?

Not really but probably close enough on a visual basis upon the same existing rendered data.

[PeterAit]

After much experimentation I settled on Focus Magic. It is touted as a way to deal with out-of-focus issues but it does a great job of general sharpening as well. But it does not work in LR, just PS (and maybe Elements). It's a rare photo that I don't feed thru it. But it does not work in LR, just PS (and maybe Elements). I noted that it's also the choice of Charles Cranmer, the master photographer Keven interviewed.

[RMW]

Thank you Tony, Andrew, and Peter for your good help.

--- I did know that PhotoKit was somehow incorporated into ACR, but I didn't know how. When opening a raw file in ACR is it best to rely on the given sharpening settings ? Are they specific, automatically, to the camera and lens ? And is this initial ACR sharpening the same as PKs Capture sharpening?

--- And what is the equivalent, if any, to PKs Output sharpening?

--- I shall have to look into Focus Magic, especially for it's effect on out-of-focus issues.

Thank you all again very much.

Richard

[PeterAit]

I should add that when you install Focus Magic you also get a stand-alone version.

[digitaldog]

--- I did know that PhotoKit was somehow incorporated into ACR, but I didn't know how.

See: http://creativepro.com/out-of-gamut-thoughts-a-sharpening-workflow/
This is the basis for some (more limited) functionality in LR. It's not using the same algorithms, nor with raw, the same kind of data. The options are more limited. But Adobe licensed some of the workflow concepts and used the processes developed within PSK which uses Photoshop for sharpening in LR.

[RMW]

Well ...after reading Bruce Frazer's good article- and a few others- I'm thinking of using ACR for capture sharpening and then proceeding with PK Sharpener. Does that seem reasonable ?

Here's an example of the new work flow.

Thank you each for your good help.

Richard

[cgarnerhome]

If you're looking for the easiest way, then why not use PS since you are already using the program.  If it were me, I would do a side by side test to see if you see any real difference.  The last time I was with Charlie he was sharping in PS.  I used to sharpen in PS but now I sharpen in LR and I have seen no real difference.

[RMW]

Thank you Cam.
It looks like PS for sharpening is the way to go.
(And especially if Charlie Cramer uses it.)
Richard

[HSakols]

I believe Charlie uses Focus Magic for his sharpening workflow, but it only works with PS not LR.

[saiguy]

In LuLa's very recent Shooting With The Masters, Charlie did say he uses FocusMagic for sharpening. Note that he uses very high end gear. Said he usually uses the "out of focus blur" width of one and sometimes 2. He did not say if he does any further sharpening down stream.

I have been scanning 35mm Kodachromes from 1977 onwards. Every image goes thru FocusMagic and I can say it really lives up to its name. I may apply Clarity in LR but have not added additional sharpening.

Believe it costs $65 USD for lifetime license as PS plug-in and stand alone.