DxO Software
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#1. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 0
chroaz Registered since 26th Apr 2009Sun 27-Oct-13 05:25 PMYes Ken I do us DxO Optics Pro 8 Elite and it is highly capable software which can render excellent results due in part to its extensive and constantly growing database of camera/lens combinations all of which have been tested by DxO Labs. It's "straight out of the box" processing of RAW files is in my view remarkable, however it is not a full image editor being particular strong in color correction and management (skin tones, natural colors etc. which are beautifully rendered), noise reduction, optical and geometric corrections etc., rather than in spot localized corrections etc. It also has an extensive selection of excellent presets which offer a very good starting point for post processing, and has a failry friendly user interface once you get used to it.
I do not use it as my main editor however, partially because of these limitations, but more importantly because I have not found a really effective way to integrate it into my primarily Lightroom (now 5) centric workflow. Its limitations on export formats lead to the need to store and manipiuated multiple copies of extremely large files while "round tripping". This has put me off and so I reserve it for a starting point for the post processing of images which I consider to be my best and worthy of the time and effort.
That said, this new Version 9 seems to have addressed the export issue now allowing export as TIFF's and DNG's - hopefully this has also lead to the more seamless integration with Lightroom - but I haven't tried that yet, and I haven't upgraded yet either.
It is excellent - and I can see myself using it more once I can get my workflow logically sorted - any ideas anyone?
Cheers,
ChrisWhen words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
- Ansel Adams
www.throughmeyelens.smugmug.com-
#2. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 1
Thanks Chris, a nice overview of the product.
I use LR5 as well for the cataloging and initial PP. PSE10 is used for bit manipulation if it's needed. VNX2 for initial viewing of images, and CNX2 for.....
The little I have used DxO (8) I can see where it could come in useful for those images that need a bit more of something. 9 is supposed to have better noise processing capabilities which I need with the D300s in the higher ISO ranges. Like you, I wouldn't use it as the primary PP application.
Thanks for the response Chris. Appreciate it.
Ken
Seattle, WA
My Gallery-
#4. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 2
GiantTristan Registered since 08th Jan 2006Thu 31-Oct-13 06:57 PMI have been using DxO for many years since Version 3. If there is a DxO module available, results are quite amazing especially for less than first rate lenses - I found the results from the 18-200 VR only acceptable after correction by DxO. The RAW conversion by PS and LR have improved over the years, but I still consider DxO results superior. The same holds true for lens and geometric correction as well as for sharpening via "lens softness" and high iso NR. DxO is indeed an excellent and complete photo editing program. You just have to spend some time and effort to fully understand and realize its capabilities.You should also consider the time savings - about 90% of my captures are perfectly adjusted using the DxO default or a preset without need for further adjustment.
The only areas where DxO falls short are its cataloging and printing capabilities. I output the adjusted files to LR as DNG and do my cataloging and printing from there.
Attachment#1 ( file)
Tristan
Visit my Nikonians gallery-
#5. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 4
kuzzy Registered since 12th Dec 2005Thu 31-Oct-13 07:09 PMTristan, Thanks for your comments. They have gone a long way in helping me with a decision.Marc
There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.-Ansel Adams
https://500px.com/mkoczwaraphotography
http://kuzzy.smugmug.com
Visit my Nikonians gallery
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#9. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 1
DxO 9 Elite will export a file as tiff, or as jpeg to Lightroom and Lightroom opens with this action. Lightroom does not export to DxO but will export to a folder so it seems useless to have NEF file folders in Lightroom. I was hoping it would somehow have an internal switch to open a file from there into DxO but not so.
I thought I would set up a folder for NEF files. I would put my raw NEF files in there using a usb cable with card reader or direct connect to my camera with Nikonview. Then I would process as needed with DxO and export the resulting tiffs or jpegs into to a second folder. Then I could tie that folder somehow as a Lightroom reference to bring in photos for processing in lightroom or photoshop cc or even another program for edit and printing and "resave" them in that folder when done. I have corel paintshop pro 6 and Photoshop Elements 10. Not sure if I need the Adobe cloud subscription or even just need to buy Lightroom or just use the elements 10 catalogue. I'm not sure if Lightroom would make things easier or more complicated. Adobe programs are usually overly complex for me, especially as a periodic user. There is a set of videos by Laura Shoe that gives lessons in Lightroom. Not sure if I should spend another $80 or whatever to get the tutorial or not. I sure have a tough time with most of them since they insist on covering pc and mac at the same time as well as doing in on an illegible screen.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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#10. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 9
chroaz Registered since 26th Apr 2009Wed 15-Jan-14 09:59 AMYou might take a look at George Jardine's videos - they are very good in my view and he is very practical in his approach - I use his file naming convention for example and it has proved to be excellent. Here's a link : http://mulita.com/blog/
Chris
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
- Ansel Adams
www.throughmeyelens.smugmug.com
#3. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 0
DXO seems very easy, fast and does a nice job of rendering colors and WB automatically at its default settings. I have only tried the NR on one image and it seemed to do an excellent job. I think I could process images as fast using that as I can using view with the benefit of improved NR. I will test it more when I have a chance to see if my initial impressions are correct and if so I may add it to my PP workflow. My workflow will then be using program A, B or C depending on the type of adjustments I want to make. View NX for the most basic adjustments, DXO for adjustments with NR, and Capture for adjustments that require layer masks.
I am interested to here about your or anyone elses impressions as well.
Marc
There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.-Ansel Adams
https://500px.com/mkoczwaraphotography
http://kuzzy.smugmug.com
Visit my Nikonians gallery
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#6. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 3
Bill Kennedy Registered since 17th Jan 2013Sat 02-Nov-13 08:31 AMBeen playing with the trail version for the last day or so--impressed. One advantage for me is I use Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 lenses and DxO will correct while Capture will only do correction on Nikon lenses.
DxO appears very fast and I like the presets. Seriously considering purchasing.
Would like to hear from some long time users of DxO software.Visit my Nikonians gallery.
#7. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 0
Recently a new DxO tool came on the market, DxO Viewpoint 2, which is software specifically directed at distortion and perspective correction. Not too expensive, so I bought it.
It doesn't work on RAW files, so it is first necessary to convert to a jpg. DxO's strength in Optics Pro is that it will correct distortion from non Nikon lenses. This is only partially true with Viewpoint 2. The program needs the Exif info from the original file to perform distortion correction. ie. Even though it only works on jpgs, to obtain the Exif info, it is necessary to point the program at the original RAW file. "Original RAW file" means unedited RAW file. If NX2 has been used on the original file, then Viewpoint 2 sees it as an error.
I found this strange as DxO Optics doesn't have a problem with reading the Exif and correcting distortion. It works perfectly with both RAW or jpg files, whether "edited" or not.
I raised this as bug with DxO, even supplying example images, but to no avail. I quote "The use of Capture NX2 is indeed not suitable for Viewpoint 2."
Needless to say, I was very disappointed with the response.
Paul McD
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#8. "RE: DxO Software" | In response to Reply # 7
William Rounds Nikonian since 25th Mar 2011Thu 14-Nov-13 05:26 AMI've been using DxO Optics Pro for a couple of years and find it very good. The latest version (9) which allows previews of all their and your presets is a real time saver. I find the noise reduction excellent, the lens softness tool excellent and the lens distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations correction all excellent.Visit my Nikonians gallery.
G
I have used it (Optic Pro 8) on a trial basis but didn't get into it very deep. I've downloaded version 9 just recently. Again on a trial basis.
Ken
Seattle, WA
My Gallery