RAW software and indoor car lens ?

[shoeytennis]

okay all i need RAW software i use cs2 on my dektop but need some good software for my laptop i want.
Adobe photoshop elements 5.0
paint shop pro xi
nikon capture nx
are the three im looking at, anybody reccomened wich one i should buy?

Also im going to the detroit auto show in january and im only going to carry one lens.Im thinking of just using my nikon 50 f1/8 lens or the dx 18-55.
Or if anyone knows of a good lens between 2-3 hundred for indoor with good lighting.

[jcon]

Take the 50mm for the car show, it will be perfect for that event!

Why not just put CS2 on the laptop too? The best RAW software out there is Capture NX, I use Capture NX, CS2 and ACDSEE Pro.

[tcadwall]

I have been using Bibble and Paint Shop Pro. So far I have been quite impressed with what I can accomplish without shelling out top dollar.

Bibble has a lot of really good features, and allows you to do batches, print from raw, etc. It can even create a simple website for your images... I have been quite impressed.

[shoeytennis]

eh im really trying to avoid putting cs2 on my laptop it will run it but id rather keep it on the super speedy desktop!
thanxs for all your guys inputs.

[tcadwall]

Hey shoey what are the specs on your laptop. I am running a 2.0Ghz Centrino, 1GB RAM, >1yr old - so it isn't a duo - and Bibble runs very nicely. I was quite suprised at how well it handled the raw workflow.

[K1W1]

Adobe Lightroom Beta (free until at least Feb 2007). Fast and has the basic engine of Raw Shooter Professional behind it.

A 50mm lens will be nowhere near wide enough as a single lens for a car show. You will have to stand so far back to get a full vehicle in frame that you will ALWAYS have people between you and the subject. The 50mm is so small you can carry it in your pocket so why not take both the 18-55 AND the 50mm?

[Jason25]

How about the Sigma 30mm f1.4 for an indoor lens? I'd like one at some point.

[jcon]

A 50mm lens will be nowhere near wide enough as a single lens for a car show. You will have to stand so far back to get a full vehicle in frame that you will ALWAYS have people between you and the subject. The 50mm is so small you can carry it in your pocket so why not take both the 18-55 AND the 50mm?

Atleast with the car shows Ive been to, they dont let you get that close to the cars anyway. And if its well lit, which I would have my doubts then yes, the 18-55 would be ideal, or if you wanted to use a flash. I dont see 50mm being a problem.

[wh0128]

Adobe Lightroom Beta (free until at least Feb 2007). Fast and has the basic engine of Raw Shooter Professional behind it.


I was going to suggest this but K1W1 beat me too it. Adobe Lightroom Beta is a very easy and fast to use. It isn't a big program and your laptop should be able to use it. Lightroom gives you a step by step process for your workflow, starting at library, then going to develop, slideshow, print, web. You can even make your own slideshows to put on the web which I though was a really neat tool and quite simple to use. I haven't tried Bibble, but I think I might have to give it a try because I know tcad has been suggesting it alot, so it seems like a good software program to use.

[K1W1]

Atleast with the car shows Ive been to, they dont let you get that close to the cars anyway.

You need to come to car shows in Australia then. Apart from really exotic stuff (Ferrari, Massarati, Maybach, etc) and show special or prototypes the vast majority of cars are open and accessible for people to sit in. The whole point of a car show is to encourage buyers after all. If you have to look at a vehicle from 10 feet away you may as well not bother attending IMO.

I still think 50mm on a DSLR is too narrow though. A prime around 30mm would be much better if you want a prime.

[jcon]

Like I said previously, the ones Ive been to, I know they are different elsewhere. The reason I suggest the 50mm is because the poster asked for a one lens suggestion, so I assumed space was an issue, I suggested it over the not so good low light 18-55 because the poster would also have to take a flash along with that lens.

Now if the poster had more than a couple hundred, I would suggest getting the Tokina wide angle.

[Suprpntr]

Are you refering to the Tokina12-24? Does this work ok in a lower light situation? I just got mine and have not had time to test it much.


Also does that adobe elements 5.0 do any good with raw? Pondering buying this program.

[shoeytennis]

well the cars 10 feet away behind ropes will be the ones im taking pictures of not the minivans i can sit in! :D but thanxs for all the input i may just end up carrying my bag and take a few lenses or if i can find a new lens soon within my budget i may just end up doing that!

[K1W1]

well the cars 10 feet away behind ropes will be the ones im taking pictures of not the minivans i can sit in! :D

Do they have Minivans at car shows? I have trouble looking past the exotics and the busty blondes wearing clothes three sizes too small. :-)