Is there a decent free RAW processing program around?

[fionndruinne]

I haven't yet tackled shooting in RAW, and find I can do a lot with Lightroom, but do eventually want to try my hand at RAW conversions. Unfortunately, budget for software is, well, dry at present.

Are there any decent free programs out there?

[fractalgfx]

If your a willing to install Linux on your computer, then you can use LightZone for free, Lightzone is $250 for Mac or PC. If you are a mac user who would be miserable using a PC, or a PC user who would be miserable using a mac, than don't bother with Linux.

After that the only thing I can suggest is raw therapee: http://www.rawtherapee.com.

You are not going to find anything close to Lightroom for free. Lightzone is a really great program for processing pictures one at a time, but for quickly managing a lot of files nothing comes close to Lightroom, with the possible exception of Apple's Aperature.

As a student, I understanding your low budget, but I have been planning on purchasing Lightroom for several months. Lightroom allows me to process photos so much faster than any of the applications I have tried. If you process hundreds or thousands of photos at a time, Lightroom will save you enough time to go out and find a job.

[toriaj]

In case you didn't know ... Adobe says the introductory price of $200 for Lightroom is going to go up to $300 at the end of this month (April.)

I used the trial version, and I really want to buy it before the price goes up. Maybe with this week's paycheck :) I don't use it for bulk processing much. I just liked the Develop features, especially for exposure. I also liked the spot remover, although I wouldn't buy it for that.

Do you think that rawtherapee or Lightzone is equivalent to Lightroom for the exposure control?

edit: I just checked out Lightzone, I think I'll use the trial. It looks good :)

[fionndruinne]

Thanks for the link, I shall check it out. I'd maybe use Linux, as I like fiddling with computers, but I don't have the time to learn a new OS. And I'm afraid my budget will be full, and my working time as well, with things like affording an apartment later this year. :rolleyes: Fun stuff.

What is the learning curve for a program like raw therapee?

[SpecialK]

Maybe this thread will prove useful.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/2539-whats-your-main-post-processing-program.html

[hokeyguy]

I haven't yet tackled shooting in RAW, and find I can do a lot with Lightroom, but do eventually want to try my hand at RAW conversions. Unfortunately, budget for software is, well, dry at present.

Are there any decent free programs out there?
I'm not sure why nobody ever mentions the Gimp. It's free and I used it for a long time. Pretty solid program for the money if you ask me.

[fionndruinne]

It's free and I used it for a long time. Pretty solid program for the money if you ask me.

That's sayin' an awful lot, there! :D

Just kidding. Thanks.

[avi777]

http://www.download.com/DeepSkyStacker/3000-12511_4-10644223.html?tag=lst-0-2

This one's free too

[some guy]

Canon DPP 3.0 is an excellent RAW processor. I even prefer it over the Photoshop CS2 one for speed and accuracy. It's free with Canon dSLR. :)

[fractalgfx]

I'm not sure why nobody ever mentions the Gimp. It's free and I used it for a long time. Pretty solid program for the money if you ask me.

Gimp isn't very useful for raw photography and neither gimp or photoshop provide the kind of functionality found in Lightroom.

Gimp is a good alternative to photoshop for someone on a budget, I here that paint.net. The Pixel image editors is probably the closest to photoshop you are going to get. It is buggy beta software, but you can buy it now at a discount ($40) and you will get a free upgrade to Version1.0, whenever it comes out.

[fractalgfx]

I should add, the next version if Gimp 2.4, will have some major improvements over the current version. The new version will have a tool for automatic mask generation, which produces surprisingly good results. Unfortionately, the healing brush might not be ready for 2.4.

[dwgriffi]

I own GraphicConverter, though since I don't have a DSLR yet I haven't tried it for RAW. How does its RAW conversion compare to others?

[genecsf]

RAW conversion by GraphicConverter is actually pretty good and compares well to Bibble, LightZone, and Pentax Photo Laboratory. However, I think those other tools are better for adjusting photos when the default conversion isn't sufficient.

[fionndruinne]

What about creating HDRs? I don't suppose any programs available for free would offer this?

[fionndruinne]

Update: after a little trawling about the web, I've found Photomatix Pro, which looks quite good from the results I've seen. Their trial version doesn't expire, just adds a watermark to most of the images processed with it. That's something I can live with right now, as I'll just be experimenting with it for awhile, and can always purchase the program later on if I like it.

This does support NEF files, right? Any tips on using it? And thanks for your help, all.

[fractalgfx]

What about creating HDRs? I don't suppose any programs available for free would offer this?

http://qtpfsgui.sourceforge.net/

[BBPhoto]

You could give Photo Shop Elements 5.0 a try. You can pick it up on Ebay for 50$. You'll get a great RAW processor/converter and all the great features of Elements as well. Highly recommended.