GXR-M and Raw Photo Processor 64 (RPP)

[ymc226]

Originally Posted by noimmunity

Remember, with RPP, it's not processing, just conversion.

You generally still need to process photos after conversion by RPP. It works well in tandem with LR for that.

For the M8, I've always found C1 to be better than other options, but RPP gives better results. The same images look crisper and have better color. White balance maniupaltion in RPP isn't as easy as C1, but the results can be better.

I am reading this thread with great interest as I just started digital and have some questions. I don't post pictures and the print is my final goal. Calibrated my screen using a Spyder4Pro. Just got an Epson 3880 and ordered ImagePrint RIP to optimize my results.

I use LR3 with its ACR developer. If RPP is just a "converter", can you just use RPP to convert the photo and then use LR3 or Aperture to post process the WB, colors etc? RPP would allow better preservation of the details. Would something be lost if the other functions mentioned such as WB, local contrast, exposure, saturation be done in more commercial post processing programs rather than by RPP?

[Richard G]

Thanks Mitch. This looks very exciting. I have been using LR for three days since getting an M9 and I have a way to go. The B&W was looking pretty flat so I am keen to try this for the increased resolution and the Photobrom and Pan F 25 that Horusu so beautifully showed.

[malland]

Originally Posted by ymc226

...If RPP is just a "converter", can you just use RPP to convert the photo and then use LR3 or Aperture to post process the WB, colors etc? RPP would allow better preservation of the details. Would something be lost if the other functions mentioned such as WB, local contrast, exposure, saturation be done in more commercial post processing programs rather than by RPP?

Yes, RPP is just a raw developer and you can continue processing in LR3 or Aperture, etc. I use Aperture, but RPP can run as a plugin under LR3. I find that RPP gives not only better resolution but also better color rendition that LR3 or Aperture, but you can certainly continue further color correction or tonal adjustments with the other software.

—Mitch/Manila
Tristes Tropiques? No, They Have a Strip Mall in Chiang Mai Too

[Adanac]

I've been using RPP for a few days here and coincidentally also upgraded my LR3 catalog to LR4.

I like RPP. On some images it does notably better at extracting detail and I do like the k64 emulation quite a bit. On some images where moire is an issue, RPP seems to negate moire altogether without any specific work on my part. Two thumbs up!

On others, moire remains present but is more subdued than the default output via Adobe Capture Raw / LR4.

With respect to moire, one advantage LR4 has is that images processed with its 2012 engine (all your new work and optionally any old images you care to reprocess - very quick) can be tuned with its moire removal tool. This seems to use desaturation as well as other techniques, but can be quite effective.

It would be ideal if you could use LR4 moire removal to further tune the output of an RPP converted image, but alas, that is not possible. LR4's moire tool does not function on a TIFF file, only on the original raw file as converted by LR4's 2012 engine.

Still working with RPP to learn its strengths but certainly I can see enough value already that I've already send the developer my donation for his hard work.

[Richard G]

The shareware donation unlocks the Lightroom Plugin. The M9 colours straight into Lightroom are a bit strong and RPP gives something more like the original subject. I have certainly retrieved more shadow detail with RPP.

[Adanac]

As a point of info, Lightroom users planning on upgrading to LR4 - the RPP plugin which offers "Export..." functionality does indeed work even though the application menu in RPP notes only Lightroom 2 and 3.

Other plugins may not work in LR4, there are some known issues even with LR4 compatible plugins from a number of vendors. The particular case is when a LR4 user doesn't also have Photoshop CS5 (on a Mac) or at least Photoshop Elements (on a PC) also installed. Adobe is said to be addressing this in an update release.

Edits to create an oops.

[foon]

Thanks for the recommendation. I wouldn't have tried it if it weren't for this post.

The interface was a little strange a first, but I got use to it in a day and it doesn't take me any longer than my old workflow (maybe faster even!).