FUJI X + Rawtherapee

[John 2]

Anyone using a Fuji X camera tried Rawtherapee as a Raw processor? Is it any better than ACR. I have downloaded it (it's free ) but looks like needing a fairly long learning curve. I have seen it recommended and I would be prepared to go down that path if the results are worth it.

[Black Pearl]

I tried them all when I bought my X-T1 and read countless pages of reviews but decided that the very occasional and very slight rendering issues with ACR were not significant (noticeable) enough to pull me away from my typical workflow. The very best converter for RAF files is Iridient but only if you want to spend the rest of your waking hours fiddling with it - you can't knock the results mind - but personally I simply don't need a few pixel level differences in my images.

Have you read this?

https://www.fujivsfuji.com/best-xtrans-raw-converter/

[John 2]

Thanks Robin. No I hadn't read that and it is interesting. It doesn't cover Rawtherapee and since posting this I have had a play, looking at feather detail in particular. I would have to admit that I haven't spent enough time with it to become proficient but the results it produced for me were as good but no better than ACR. I might play some more but in work flow terms it's a bit time consuming because it is fairly complex.

[xpatUSA]

Anyone using a Fuji X camera tried Rawtherapee as a Raw processor? Is it any better than ACR. I have downloaded it (it's free ) but looks like needing a fairly long learning curve. I have seen it recommended and I would be prepared to go down that path if the results are worth it.

Been using RawTherapee for a good few years. I used ACR long ago - V 5.4 with Elements 6 meaning it had like three tabs and quite limited capabilities. No doubt ACR does much more these days but back then I just dumped them both along with Adobe everything else. In answer to the question, RawTherapee is worth it, IMHO. Version 5 is out . . .

I have had a play, looking at feather detail in particular

[edit] Would recommend you look at the RL Deconvolution sharpening and also the Contrast By Detail Level functions in the second tab over before giving up on RT. A brave guy would certainly look at the Wavelet Tab too but it ain't easy . . fun though.

Oops, forgot to mention that I'm not using a Fuji X camera - I'm a Sigma guy which is probably worse.

[Black Pearl]

ACR or more to the point Adobe CC is an integrated package that imports, catalogues, keywords, develops, integrates seamlessly within its software solutions and outputs I any way you can image. RawTherapee may do one or two things better but it is essentially a one trick pony that needs others to make it a workflow.

[xpatUSA]

ACR or more to the point Adobe CC is an integrated package that imports, catalogues, keywords, develops, integrates seamlessly within its software solutions and outputs I any way you can image.

Almost sounds like a commercial for Adobe CC, but the OP was asking specifically about ACR.

I didn't understand "I any way you can image", sorry.

RawTherapee may do one or two things better but it is essentially a one trick pony that needs others to make it a workflow.

Whereas that comment sounds quite demeaning and, for many cameras, RawTherapee needs nothing extra at all. However, if one must have assistance in remembering where images got stored, then it doesn't do that and probably would not suit the Busy Professional.

[Black Pearl]

John, have you had a play around with the sharpening in ACR?

There are some good blogs etc that supply some background info revolving around RAF files and sharpening recommendations. This one has some suggestions (workflow downloads for lightroom) that you might find useful.

http://petebridgwood.com/wp/2014/10/x-trans-sharpening/


For web sized images I leave all sharpening at its default whilst importing/processing then output sharpen once resized using Smart Sharpen. Typically I'll have a Radius around .03 or 0.4 with the Amount anywhere between 75 and 200 depending on the lens I'm shooting with - the Fuji glass will be at the lower end as its inherently sharp whereas some of the old stuff I use needs a bit of 'bite' adding. The Reduce Noise slider is great for smoothing OOF backgrounds that may have picked up a little texture through ISO or slightly heavy processing.

[JBW]

Anyone using a Fuji X camera tried Rawtherapee as a Raw processor? Is it any better than ACR. I have downloaded it (it's free ) but looks like needing a fairly long learning curve. I have seen it recommended and I would be prepared to go down that path if the results are worth it.

I used RawT. for a while. It did have a serious learning curve. But all pp programs do. I moved from Fujifilm to Sony and moved my pp to Capture 1 and GIMP.

The question is not which pp program is better. It's which pp program are you willing to put the time and effort into learning. RawT, if it fits how you think can do excellent work.

[John 2]

[edit] Would recommend you look at the RL Deconvolution sharpening and also the Contrast By Detail Level functions in the second tab over before giving up on RT. A brave guy would certainly look at the Wavelet Tab too but it ain't easy . . fun though.

Oops, forgot to mention that I'm not using a Fuji X camera - I'm a Sigma guy which is probably worse.

Thanks Ted. I'm definitely going to give it more time and I will try your suggestions. As for Sigma, I doubt it . The problem (if it is a problem?) is Fuji's non-standard X Tran sensor. Adobe's ACR doesn't render foliage or feather detail as well as it might. I would guess that sooner or later Adobe will get it right. In the mean time, given some favourable reviews in that respect and because it is free, I thought I might explore Rawtherapee V5.

Hi Brian, thanks for the response. I'm thoroughly familiar with Photoshop after many years of use and so if you like, I have arrived at what you describe. However, when it comes to the issue described above, PS is not (yet) producing the quality that ideally, I want. And so I have kept an eye open for an alternative but given that PS produces good images in general terms, I wouldn't pay £120 or so for something else. If however, Rawtherapee is FOC...............

[John 2]

Robin, no I hadn't seen that article and it is very good. Unfortunately it majors on Lightroom but I should be able to glean enough from his description of the relationship between Output Sharpening and Capture sharpening to achieve some worthwhile improvement in PS. I need to re read it carefully and take it from there.