There are a few choices for raw conversion to jpeg for the X-E1 and the X-Pro1 in the PC Realm: Light Room 4 (no Windows XP support), Photoshop CS6, Fuji's supplied SilkyPix, and ... ?
Well, one of my work-horse post processors now supports the X-E1 and X-Pro1 raw file format: Tiffen Dfx 3. I thought I'd try conversion for a somewhat difficult raw file - shot at near dusk. Comparison to in-camera conversion is given.
I have a few initial conclusions based on what I see from the original size images (these are just "large," click-through to flickr for the option to see the original files, set them up in separate tabs for comparison).
1) For wide-angles, Fuji appears to be cutting down the angle-of-view for the in-camera jpg conversion. I think this might be to reduce wide-angle distortion, if I had to guess.
2) In-camera conversion can give you great results, but for optimizing dynamic range in the image without clipping, an external converter such as Tiffen is a big help. Tiffen gives a great histogram showing changes to conversion parameters, very helpful.
3) Moderate sharpening can be done in-camera just about as well as with Tiffen.
4) Post-sharpening an in-camera converted jpeg can result in brightening artifacts if the final exposure is too hot.
In-camera conversion raw to jpg by cbmn, on Flickr
Tiffen Dfx raw to jpg conversion - Neutral settings by cbmn, on Flickr
In-camera conversion raw to jpg with post sharpening by cbmn, on Flickr
Tiffen Dfx: raw to jpg conversion, and brightened/sharpened by cbmn, on Flickr
In-camera: darkened sharpened and converted from raw by cbmn, on Flickr
Finally, a medium-high sharpened, low noise reduction conversion with Silkypix:
Silkypix converted by cbmn, on Flickr
It appears that noise reduction might need to be completely on minimum with Silkypix, there is definitely a softening going on there ...
Well, one of my work-horse post processors now supports the X-E1 and X-Pro1 raw file format: Tiffen Dfx 3. I thought I'd try conversion for a somewhat difficult raw file - shot at near dusk. Comparison to in-camera conversion is given.
I have a few initial conclusions based on what I see from the original size images (these are just "large," click-through to flickr for the option to see the original files, set them up in separate tabs for comparison).
1) For wide-angles, Fuji appears to be cutting down the angle-of-view for the in-camera jpg conversion. I think this might be to reduce wide-angle distortion, if I had to guess.
2) In-camera conversion can give you great results, but for optimizing dynamic range in the image without clipping, an external converter such as Tiffen is a big help. Tiffen gives a great histogram showing changes to conversion parameters, very helpful.
3) Moderate sharpening can be done in-camera just about as well as with Tiffen.
4) Post-sharpening an in-camera converted jpeg can result in brightening artifacts if the final exposure is too hot.
In-camera conversion raw to jpg by cbmn, on Flickr
Tiffen Dfx raw to jpg conversion - Neutral settings by cbmn, on Flickr
In-camera conversion raw to jpg with post sharpening by cbmn, on Flickr
Tiffen Dfx: raw to jpg conversion, and brightened/sharpened by cbmn, on Flickr
In-camera: darkened sharpened and converted from raw by cbmn, on Flickr
Finally, a medium-high sharpened, low noise reduction conversion with Silkypix:
Silkypix converted by cbmn, on Flickr
It appears that noise reduction might need to be completely on minimum with Silkypix, there is definitely a softening going on there ...
