Capture One V4
January 5th, 2008
The Phase One Danish editor famous for the quality of these digital backs has finally we get the final commercial version of its software and development, Capture One V4 is now available for a fairly attractive price of 100 euros.
I would try here to explain why I prefer this software over other known example of Nikon Capture NX or Lightroom which is slowly but surely as the benchmark in terms of workflow.
When I started photography in early 2005 with my first camera the Nikon D70 I quickly turned to RAW for the many benefits it offers. I opted for a time RawShooter essentials developed by Alumni in Phase One (today acquired and integrated by adobe lightroom) software had all the features "basic" expected by this type of software. The only drawback for me was the rendering of skin tones that my senses were anything but realistic.
Thomas was the time I was praised Capture One software, a pioneer in the treatment of RAW, I installed the software and two things struck me: the speed of the application and interface say austere (downright ugly in fact), this may sound silly but a work environment a minimum "good" go the first contact with the software decisive.
Note that Capture One is available in two versions, the pro version and the LE, the LE was available free with the purchase of a memory card Sandisk Extreem. The difference between the two versions are fairly small (management of digital backs, batch processing of larger quantities)
So I was from that moment began to use the software in parallel with RawShooter and photoshop for touch more depth, then spend a full version of Capture One 3.7.x in photoshop with a complement, the only weakness of this software in my opinion was the lack of tool and unclogging catch highlights of which are now included in the V4 software.
After a month of intensive use demo version I am convinced, C1 is not unlike Lightroom has a Swiss army knife of image, he just do what I expect from this type of product: It is currently the only software that satisfies me in the rendering of skin tones, he delivers accurate images, stitched, saturated and faithful to my vision of the scene being photographed.
Why not Lightroom?
In lightroom I can not even respect me to have the colors in Capture One (especially in skin tones) what problem I saw my interest in the portrait. If LR had the opportunity to get out skin tones true, I probably would have dropped C1 for me a serious look at LR.
LR is for me sometimes so complete that it becomes slow, this may be a matter of time to adapt to find the same speed as in C1, C1 is a tool that does that development, he done quickly and well.
Some examples of the difference between rendering I get LR and C1, these examples are not the result of specific tests, I just tried to approach in terms of settings and rendering (the color temperatures for images however, are the same).
The difference is not obvious but can be made of the LR is often very orange and unsubtle, the difference is most obvious in the relatively warm temperatures.
Advantages of version 4 of Capture One
- The interface has been completely redesigned in a style very similar to lightroom, exit the gray bars of windows, we are left with a dark interface and "class" which focuses attention on the image and not on the application .
- A tool for unblocking and highlight recovery, finally! The only new thing I expected really.
- The possibility of variations of the same image, before I applied the settings on an image and then export it, so I was looking for a different version I had to rework the same file in this case we can simply duplicate a same image (and group these different versions) and apply different settings such as a raw image, an image worked well as a version in black and white.
- The portability of images and settings: before each change was recorded in a central folder on the client computer, you could not edit pictures on a laptop and then transfer its ongoing work on another machine. In this new version I can work on my macbookpro perfectly under Leopard and transfer my work to finish it on Vista on my desktop.
The disadvantage of this method is to decentralize the temporary files generated by the application it will be necessary to check regularly the temporary files to avoid a full hard drive.
- The picture quality seems better, noise management under better control.
Note that this version is the non-pro and pro version should incorporate other features.
Capture One v4 is available on the site of Phase One trial version limited to 30 days, the paid version is priced at 100 euros with the possibility to install it on two different machines
Volker Gilbert well known for his books on the RAW made an excellent review of the new version
January 5th, 2008 at 2:51
Thank you for this article, for my part I use LR, what you say is absolutely true:
"C1 is a tool that does that development, it does quickly and well", while LR is it more in the hardcore settings, with LR indeed it is difficult to treat a large series of images, the Import settings are laborious and sometimes very slow (well at home), I installed C1, I did a little tour to try, and again you're right the previous versions did not charmed dice the beginning with its interface straight out of Windows 98, but I will try to install this new version try the new
You think it is possible to combine LR for devellopement depths and in large series for C1? Or for you C1 is greater at any point in LR?
Thank you again for this article very interesting, happy new year and thank you for taking the time to answer me
See you soon!
January 5th, 2008 at 3:25
Good evening ksh,
To me there is no good or bad software, choose a solution that suits our needs and not vice versa.
C1 I can work all my pictures, if I need a specific correction on an image it is mostly a touch of color by selective area, a thorough job of masking, cleaning skin, a mounting ect ... in these cases I have to go through the box photoshop. This covers about 5% of my needs, 95 percent of the cases C1 allows me to get my final image.
If you stated it seems easier to use LR only if you are satisfied with his rendering
In terms of features C1 is well below Lightroom
Lightroom is not just a "derawatiser" Lightroom offers to manage all the flows in one software.
- LR imports images from your memory card in its catalog (automatically or manually)
- It offers your images as a contact sheet which allows a quick editing
- We then go a little time tagg images with keywords (which can then easily and instantly find its images via the integrated search tool, you can even search based on the parameters of Exif pictures; focal breaks, sensitivity ect ..)
- We then go on the developer tool that allows the same settings as Capture One and much more, for example, the possibility of making tonal corrections, retouch and in areas of former ex, make B / W Channel Mixer, correct vignetting ect ...
- A module for printing and a module for creating web galleries close this non exhaustive list of features
January 5th, 2008 at 5:31
Hello Benjamin,
What do you think Adobe Camera Raw 4, comes with Photoshop CS3?
Is it possible you tell me "soon" if this work with derawtiseur (ACR4) followed by an import Photoshop layers to refine 16bit red, blue and green through the tool "curves" can produce results comparable if not better than with Capture One 4?
I feel qu'ACR4 does not have as many tools as CO4 ... except that he is already a good "interpreter"?
January 5th, 2008 at 12:02
Hello Benjamin,
Have you had the opportunity to calibrate LR with a Gretag chart. The difference is sometimes as flagrant cases. I work in Brussels, if you want, I can bring mine so you could make a picture of an afternoon. Ideally, a midday sun to get a light + - 5000K. It may be nice to have a calibration for tungsten as well. These are the two internal profiles of LR / ACR between which it calculates the intermediate values. The calibration introduces a deviation in this.
It is obvious that an app to another rendering is likely to be different. Depending on the subject, we prefer one or the other raw converter. LR has a tendency ultra-neutral, not too much contrast, not too sharp, ... You really have to create a preset more personal, possibly depending on the subject.
However, a colorimetric point of view, there is a way to stick to any LR dérawtiseur. Thing that I did not pretend to know how properly ... The calibration here is already a big step forward automatable ( http://www.fors.net/chromoholics/ , http://www.rags-int-inc .com / PhotoTechStuff / ColorCalibration /)
And the rest is essentially your pictures are superb.
January 5th, 2008 at 12:44
It's funny what you say about the skin tones on 3 of 4 photos, I prefer the treatment of C1 to LR. It must also be a matter of taste and habit.
That said, LR is a program that still has a curve aprentissage quite slow, and the results that I draw are much better now that 6 months ago, yet with the same functions used. Admittedly, it takes time ...
Not to mention the ranking function in LR which I think is completely unnecessary (a little tired of those apps that always want to regrade for you ...)
I will test C1 in depth one of these days, I finally looks ripe!
January 5th, 2008 at 24:55
Ozwel: The result in terms of quality will probably be very good in terms of CR 4 rapiditié is to troubleshoot but still quite slow to process a large batch of images and somewhere in my view adobe will not make it closer to derawatisage a real software, so as not concurencer LR
JohnD: I tried to make a calibration of my profi General with a probe spyder construed by a friend and the result does not seem to me very different. Thank you for the proposal
I will still get information on the possibility of calibration
pixel: The photos may not be representative and they are probably also a question of taste in terms of rendering, I go for the classification via an external solution (at Extensis Portfolio) I'm not big fan solutions while an
January 5th, 2008 at 2:43
hello
I'm still your news with interest, and then we can say that it falls right in my questioning of the moment.
I just bought a D300, and as its nave are not recognized by Aperture, I'm currently testing ligthroom and Capture NX (available with the unit)
I realize that Capture NX is the only one who brings up the mods of the device, and therefore the same colors. Without touching anything I have pictures much more interesting than ligthroom that puts everything at zero. Even trying to find the same thing about LT I can never do really.
By cons productivity is not at the rendezvous, Capture NX is much less convenient and slower than Ligthroom Aperture and especially my favorite by far. So in the meantime I'm trying to think of all gloss over CaptureNX (scale, noise, sharpness), turn them into jpg before you import them back on aperture.
Another idea more convenient and faster?
January 5th, 2008 at 3:00
jluc, in terms of picture quality raw Capture Nx 's really the most powerful images are very "clean" areas by the editing via upoint' s really impressive, it actually keeps the settings boxes.
Now the workflow is productive for me against, it's slow, wheezy, not ergonomic for a sub.
I would advise you of evil has a workflow in your case I would expect the update to Aperture (which apparently has not yet announced
) Working under Nx
January 5th, 2008 at 3:45
hello BenB,
I just tested C1, following presentation of your present, must say you donate to "convince" .... As you feel your passion ...
I quickly made first contact with the software, I do not know ...
then attracted to this new tool which you speak and you were waiting for a while, this "tool for unclogging and highlight recovery", I did a test on an image relatively recently to discover that indeed the recovery of Highlight is really bluffing ...!
amazed, I open the same image in NX, telling me that Nikon should do as well if not better ....
and, surprise, the file opens, setting to zero, did not include "areas cramées" C1 appears to me ....!
I understand better why the coup C1 recovers so well in high light details, see "hide them prior to any treatment" ....
I have not tried the test on a second image, by cons if you have an example that contradicts my point do not worry ...
I have a screenshot handy (jpg), with the file open in C1 and NX settings to zero, I'm ready to put on this thread, if possible. If so, tell me how ...
edit: added picture
more
jean-luc
January 5th, 2008 at 5:01
jean-luc,
I must have been trading in a previous life
By Nx experience better recovery and blocked areas cramées that C1, you can quite send me your file has ben (ate) photob.be and I would put it as attachment to your post, you can also send me the raw file so I could see for myself
January 5th, 2008 at 7:37
I'm sending this BenB, but I said that it is not (as for me) a question of recovering areas cramées, the settings are zero .... in one as in the other.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:12
I discovered, when looking around, that I made is about to have with the panel "image enhancement" in NX, as it is used or not ....
if not used, the image is "processed" in its high lights, if one uses optimization, areas "cramées" appear in C1 .... (No treatment ... probably the settings box) ....
I do not know if I'm clear ....
January 6th, 2008 at 11:38
jean-luc, I added the picture you sent me:
I have a little difficulty understand your explanation, after opening the image in Nx and C1; Nx seems to cope better than C1 for the recovery of HL which is not surprising.
C1 in this particular image you can choose an extra shadow curve in basis adjustments that will allow you to get more details in shadows.
Another thing, the size of the file you sent me flirting with 16 megs, do not hesitate to choose the compressed RAW in your case (yes I know raw and compressed are somewhat contradictory) quality loss is invisible and the weight is by two divisisé
January 7th, 2008 at 9:51
thank you ben,
the proposed curve, gives a picture less contrast, while maintaining intensity in shades and shadows .... this is at least it's not bland like many apps ...
that said, I intended result of "chiaroscuro" ... so use it sparingly ...
January 7th, 2008 at 5:43
Hi everyone,
Interesting discussion.
I'm going by the same considerations in terms of processing software.
Sharing opinions on Nikon Capture NX, its only advantage is to read a RAW file without NIKON demolish the settings but beyond that it is unusable for more than 5 pictures.
I asked a question about this test including a benjamin. How do you exported the images you have published in this test? I was just looking to know if you see a huge difference in the rendering / export, or if you can not get a picture in each such software before export? In other words is it a problem to export only or even within the software itself.
I ask because Lightroom bump AdobeRGB if I'm not mistaken and I guess you're exporting to sRGB so I feel that what you tested and what about Jean-luc (within each software) are two different things.
I think the ideal would be a plugin for lightroom Capture NX or well-defined presets for each instrument. In this idea, there are several options that you already consider the:
http://80.196.252.2/lgweb/ for lightroom and D200, with D300, lots of people are working on the equivalent is a question of patience or 'do it yourself' if n is not patient enough
Or plug-in DxO Optics Pro for Lightroom, but then it is not yet ready for the D300 so matter of patience once again.
Sorry for this digression proposing other solutions (not yet available or somewhat different).
Boris
January 7th, 2008 at 7:59
yes indeed, I wonder about "real potential" of C1, or conversely, a great Anarch (by pushing a little plug)
January 7th, 2008 at 10:01
@ Boris
Lightroom works MelissaRGB. It is a variant of ProPhotoRGB whose gamma is 1.0, as a raw file, so.
ProPhoto has all its interest when printing on an inkjet good performance. If the gamut of the printer is not always as wide qu'AdobeRGB, this does not mean that they overlap. ProPhoto encompasses all this and avoids truncating what can be printed.
The presets you mention are actually not bad. I have had the opportunity to get others on Nikonians and I was less pleased. A bit too much for my taste.
As a reminder, if use the presets created by someone else might be interesting, it does not hold true for calibration. Rendering the sensors is not constant, it varies from one chip to another. The calibration of the D200 to Mr A, is not the same as the D200 to Mr B.
Lightroom will render calibrated neutral never resemble, by default, Capture NX (Mode I, III, ...), Capture One, Aperture, Bibble, or a Canon ...
January 8th, 2008 at 2:09
Boris
We quite agree Nx is a top quality but at the cost of ergonomics unusable for a large number of images, the big plus is to keep the settings boxes.
For my article I can not speak Verily test, just a feeling in relation to compliance with the colors, the rendering is similar to the interface and exported images (SRGB) actually the ideal would be a mix between LR and nx with the speed and color fidelity of C1.
I'll have a look on your link
jean-luc
We can not speak objectively of scam to C1, phase one has the database has even developed its software to manage their digital backs that are anything but the gadgets, the review of Volker Gilbert is quite interesting and objective http:/ / www.volkergilbertphoto.com/Captureone-4.html
JohnD: thank you for these interesting details
In summary I would like perfect soft:
Keep the settings as NX housings
The NX upoints
The speed and color of C1
The interface of LR without tools catalog
January 8th, 2008 at 9:47
hello benjamin,
we do agree, my point is a little provocative ....
if not, indeed, with nx, takes time .... not be pressed, while C1 is very flexible and fast ....
Perfect for soft, I'll meet you fairly, with a shade, I do not like, (because I did not), the apps that create their own library ... that you care about the files everywhere ... j ' 'd rather be flying an end to the other ...
good day
January 9th, 2008 at 11:25
Hello Benjamin,
First of all I congratulate you for everything you do, your photos are beautiful, and I appreciate your personal touch particulèrement come away from your photos in the processing of color and light.
Your portrait series convinced me to also invest in fixed focal lengths, my means not allowing me the f/1.4, I found occasions over the Nikkor AFD 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 which m have opened new perspectives in the picture.
A big thank you to you to share your passion and your talent through your excellent site.
Turning about software, I use C1 LE, although I admit I often struggle to find the tone I'm after, andthe exposure curve is still very mysterious to me.
Otherwise I'll meet you on the fact that compared to Capture NX is faster and less "gas factory", not to mention the slow NX NEF which generates much heavier.
I will test four C1 to see what I can leave my trusty D70s ... (I expect that the D200 decline in housing opportunity to change).
Congratulations for your art, I am a big fan of your photos and your humble and just to share your passion.
Good luck and best wishes!
Pascal
January 13th, 2008 at 11:11
[...] Finally the management of high and low lights! The interface has improved and finally looks like a high-end software ... The colors and shades respect to Phase One is faithful, ie: nickel. Instead of having one collecting all the settings tab, there is a tab individualized (Exposure, color, crop, output, ...) However, it has a tab "Quick" which brings together all in one Tab. Fast and efficient if we do not want to go too far. (30 day Demo available at: Http :/ / www.Phaseone.com) NB: You will find a notice that more complete and a comparison "summary" C1/LR Benjamin. [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 1:48
What is the difference between Capture One and Capture One Pro V4
Besides the pro pe in French and English V4?
January 28th, 2008 at 3:52
jean-luc: I understand quite your pdv
Pascal: Thanks for your compliments and encouragement!
C1 V4 brings two big advantages for me, a tool and fill light control variations, things that should Thee very useful if you're not a fan of the work on the curve.
Pao: C1 V4 is the updated version of THE C1, C1 Pro V4 will be released "soon" phase one site explains the difference in functionality such as the possibility of his photos directly connected to his computer, the management profiles ect ...
February 7th, 2008 at 7:24
I'm trying to test it and it is oddly faster than Adobe Camera Raw, with a picture quality seems better. By cons, the black and white mode, it's just a desaturation it seems, so it's not very interesting.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:41
Hello,
great blog
I use Capture One for several years!
I went to the V4.
As you said interface, make it a very productive tool compared to Capture NX.
Park against whether is be with the D200 or D3, I think the previews are very low compared to the V3.7.8
It makes you the same thing?
June 11th, 2008 at 7:03
[...] Derawtiseur tried this after reading the article by Benjamin (from which the screenshot), I quickly lost in this software, may be the fact [...]
June 20th, 2008 at 1:22
Hello Benjamin,
I pass over this article to ask you a question. Can you tell me how to make a batch with C1? Because I currently testing Mac and I do not see how.
I was thinking of doing a whole selection of images in the browser and then use the "deal" but I never in a single image file output.
The answer will probably be very simple. Thank you in advance
June 20th, 2008 at 2:01
Electronick: You must press the Shift button on your keyboard by clicking treated (not very comfortable indeed)
June 20th, 2008 at 2:05
So simple. Once this key combination and click, it treats the entire file or selection?
A big thank you for the info. I test when I get home
June 20th, 2008 at 2:12
It deals with the selection, if you want to send you all did a ctrl + a to select all and then you click on the handle while holding shift key
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:17
I hope not to spoil this post by asking my questions here, but I wanted to ask you if you know add vignetting with C1. In "Grey skies and glide" you said you used this method to enhance contrast in the sky.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:58
Electronick: no problems, C1 does not allow the addition of vignetting, for the opportunity I used LR I do not like
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:32
Hi
Like you I used Capture One Pro and V4.
U I am little confused by the display of preview on V4! It is not very clear and we guess blocks of pixels sometimes
You got the same problem or have a solution / option?
By cons I admit I started playing with Capture NX 2! It is terribly long, but very powerful!
I reserve NX has some pictures. Unable to work efficiently on 300 photos
June 25th, 2008 at 5:19
hello! I use Capture One 4.1.1 and I have a big problem with the chroma, when I develop an image capture one on photoshop the result has nothing to do with what I'm looking to capture one ... I'm searching I found nothing that allows me to fall on the same color value of the two software ...
qqun can help me if ca will be nice! even an issue!
I hope have been clear enough ... not obvious c ...
thank you for anvance!
June 25th, 2008 at 5:37
Thibaut: this should probably come from your profile export, you export what?
June 25th, 2008 at 5:39
benjamin: home of the latest release one month ago, on the contrary great dive
you're about to have the latest version?
June 25th, 2008 at 5:54
vi is the last!
I feel that it shows on my PC has less base Quadcore intel! Not on there relationship!
Here is a screenshot of the image to fit the size of my screen in Capture One. I then increased the size to 200%!
We guess a little "quads": http://www.bziegler.com/temp/block_capture_one_v4.jpg
This phenomenon is less marked with the D3!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:20
hello benjamin,
thank you for your speed!
I export the moment with the ICC profile Adobe RGB (1998)
I have the same preferences in my profile colors on photoshop.
But I also try with the profile of my screen and the result was even worse ....
August 28th, 2008 at 1:56
Hi Benjamin,
Thibaut, according to media PhaseOne, colorimetry would be good on the preview to 100%.
I also find, but my poor laptop screen does not help me.
Still, this is not a solution ... super super
Provided their consideration at the next update.
Everyone is not affected but they do not say why and how ...
August 28th, 2008 at 11:30
woauip it's annoying problem of not very clean preview
But the rendering is good nikel and is ultra fast compared to Capture NX
I'm on XP64 Pro with 8GB of ram and a quadcore Intel Extreme proc. It comes just be that configuration which hounds not the streets
August 29th, 2008 at 10:04
It's not sure, I have a iBook G4 and I am also affected. I will soon change machine. We'll see if there is change.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:39
[...] To try this or that software and most other people do it better than I (Benjamin BROLET test), all I just add is that it costs nothing to try, the software is [...]