FZ30 - post pic software? Suggestions?

[meagain]

Though still eyeing the Oly e-500 dslr, It's looking like I'll end up with the FZ30.

I'm curious what you all use for post picture tweaking. I'd rather not have to do this of course, but I guess I'll have no choice. In the past, I've just used Irvanview. I don't suppose that would cut it huh? Assuming here.

Costco has:

Photoshop Elements 4.0
Microsoft Digital Image 2006 Suite
Printoshop Pro Photo Suite
The big bucks Photoshop is not something I'll entertain.

I hate messing around with this type of thing, and might be easily irritated so I'm looking for the easiest, fastest, and perhaps the most popular so I can search forums for info (assuming the most popular is affords less head banging into the desk in frustration). Any suggestions?

Also, for those that use Noise reduction, would Neat Image or Noise Ninja be your choice? I wish this was contained all in one program, but oh well.

[genece]

I do very little PP with the FZ30 ..much less than I did with the other FZ cameras...Still I think a good Editor can be helpful at times.
And while I do not use Paintshop pro the latest edition contains a pretty good NR filter.

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...=1047025487586

Elements is also a good editor which also has a NR filter but I do not think its on par wiith PSP's NR.
But Picture Cooler which is a good NR program has a fast file exchange with elements. Which makes it similar to a plugin but its not.
Also you can buy NI and use it as a plugin for elements.

[Mike63]

I do not do much post processing myself but I have tried Picassa since it was free. I accomplished what I wanted to do when I used it and I could not with Microsoft Photo Editor.
http://picasa.google.com/index.html

[GJBenn85]

I'm currently using Paint Shop Pro 9. Prior to buying, I downloaded all of the trial versions from Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft, and Jasc/Corel. I suggest you do the same.

[BonjiB]

Use the GIMP!!! http://www.gimp.org it's free image editing software and it's very powerful. Give that a shot and see if it won't do what you're wanting before putting out cash. As for noise reduction nothing beats (in my opinion) Neat Image. Spend your money on neat image and use GIMP for everything else. GIMP was originally written for linux but their website has a windows version on there too. If i'm not using my photoshop cs2 i'm using GIMP. MOST of my fz30 shots don't require any post processing and what little that needs to be done is doable with gimp. That's my 2 cents :-)

[meagain]

Wow - I'm really digging what I'm reading here! Not alot (or any) post processing? Hmmm.... And I can take that software money and put it towards a flash? Hmmm.... Keep 'em coming! LOL

I have an Oly e-500 in the house and the FZ30 arrives tomorrow. Me thinks I'll be happier with the FZ30. Being a newbie and all.

So then, what do you all use for simple resizing? Is there any value in the Panny software in the box? Should I even attempt to take the time to load it up?

[genece]

Since you do not want to do much processing you may as well install the ArcSoft part of the CD ...it has a pretty good Panarama maker and Photo Impressions will do the other editting you want to do.
Levels ...sharpen and crop.

Also if you use Windows XP there is a Image resizer in the powertoys ..free and simple.

[BonjiB]

So then, what do you all use for simple resizing?

THE GIMP!!!! Hehe. I really love gimp because it's free and not alot of people have heard of it or used it (at least the folks i talk to.) It has a feature set comparable to photoshop and the learning curve isn't bad at all. It'll do simple resizing and all of your basic editing needs and most of your more complex ones. I never even took the cd that came with the fz30 out of the box so i can't comment on that software. Good luck.