22
Feb 2013
Lightroom 4.4 Release Candidate with better X-Trans support on Monday
This is a looong expected rumor!
A trusted source told me that on Monday Adobe should release Lightroom 4.4 RC with better support for X-TRANS RAF-files! Let’s hope that Adobe finally unlocked the potential of the X-Trans-files.
duo
3 months ago |wow. Great news. Lets hope it will do a good job.
M
3 months ago |It’s not news, it is a rumor.
MikeT
3 months ago |it’s up on the Adobe site now .. no longer a rumour. Go to Adobe Labs for the pre-release.
Fuzzy
3 months ago |Very good news, I don’t mind the softness, it’s the awful colour I hate.
Roberto
3 months ago |Great hopes then. So I was right to put on hold the purchase of Capture 1 (essentially for speed reasons)
Zorg
3 months ago |Same here! Was quite close to pulling the trigger (still have a couple of weeks left on my demo).
Lakeviewman
3 months ago |Good news! Hope this helps.
Peter
3 months ago |I’ll be curious to see how it stacks up to CaptureOne, which in my limited testing does a great job.
But even it, apparently doesn’t unlock the full potential of X-TRANS.
Ersan
3 months ago |Finally!!
gunzzel
3 months ago |woo-hoo!
lets see….
Roberto
3 months ago |By the way, im wondering how a demosaicing upgrade affects the old pictures in a non-destructive editor like Lightroom. Particularly if it is gling to change the color rendition.
MJr
3 months ago |I don’t think colors will change, they shouldn’t because they’re quite accurate as they are. http://goo.gl/jUsDw
But it might improve ‘coloring within the lines’ so to say with high-iso color-bleeding, or with very fine detail where subtle colors were also lost. http://goo.gl/w4lHv
But mainly ofcourse, the watercolour effect !
Junyo
3 months ago |Based on previous LR upgrades, one would assume that you’d have an “upgrade process” option for all of the images processed under the older engine. Then you can preview the update and accept/revert image by image, or process the entire folder.
Zorg
3 months ago |That upgrade process applied to major raw engine changes from one version of lightroom to another rather than .x releases. I cant think of a time whe they updated the raw process for an existing model so who knows how they will treat it. I suspect it will update and rerender existing files.
lee
3 months ago |I hope the “improvement” will not just be adding X100S/X20 into the support list.
But I have my doubts.
Efner
3 months ago |I assume that would be a update to ACR ?
MJr
3 months ago |Indeed. There wouldn’t be a Lightroom without ACR.
Hanseberhardt
3 months ago |Does that mean that Elements 11 is also going to have an upgrade re Fuji X-Trans Raw on Monday? Or was the last improvement of Elements 11 for X-trans now also being applied to Lightroom 4
MJr
3 months ago |It’s Adobe’s Camera RAW that is getting the update. Lightroom, Photoshop, and apparently Photoshop Elements as well all use the same ACR. It’s that window which pops up when opening a raw, or in case of Lightroom embedded in the software directly. (which is highly recommended over Elements btw, because you don’t have to create a new file every time you open a raw.)
Hanseberhardt
3 months ago |Thanks for explaining that, as I haven’t bought either yet.
MJr
3 months ago |Lucky you, and you’re welcome. Whenever working with RAW though, make sure you have as much memory and processing power as you can get.
mps
3 months ago |Fingers crossed!
nxxo
3 months ago |omg thx you
Photograber!
3 months ago |I lost my wishful thinking about better support from adobe !
doug
3 months ago |I’ve been meaning to find a suitable Fuji user’s forum to ask this question:
For your current owners, what in the world are you doing with your images????
I can’t imagine anyone who would be such an enthusiast camera would NOT also shoot in RAW, for optimal image quality and total post-production flexibility.
These cameras have been out for a while now, so what are you all doing?
I’m keen on getting either the X100s or the EX-1 before my next big trip in the coming year. But NOT if my files can’t be processed as nicely as the RAW files from my Nikon.
Julien
3 months ago |Out of the camera jpeg are excellent. For travel, I don’t do any post-processing anymore. You can always do some basic corrections with the camera raw conversion. I have stored Raw files for the coming LR4.4. Storage does not cost that much
doug
3 months ago |I’ve read that the JPEG output is quite nice. I guess I should have prefaced the point that I was classically trained to shoot, process and print all my own work. Eons ago…
So, I maintain a healthy interest in fine-tuning every shot I take, and therefore love what RAW can do for me.
I guess, if I had a new Fuji, I could simply shoot in RAW+Jpeg. But that would slow the processor down for multiple exposure opportunities, and still force me to wait for an unknown amount of time before I could reliably process my RAW images. Assuming this new ACR update isn’t yet up to snuff.
It’s too bad that Fuji is using this unique technology. I fully understand the advantages, but if the entire software community can’t really support it fully, then it’s not so great. Again, nice out of camera JPEG images, aside.
patrickbraun.net
3 months ago |actually, Doug, I just shoot my X-Pro (RAW only) as I’m used to do with my 5D Mk2, and import all the RAWs into LR4.x…
I might not have the highest demand for IQ since I’m already quiet happy with the results I get (with some practice), but I think one should judge by looking at the final images, not by reading one internet review after another. are those results really that bad: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickbraun/sets/72157629711009193/ ?
I don’t shot JPGs at all.
hope this will help you.
patrickbraun.net
3 months ago |anyway, I’m not saying there couldn’t be much better support of the X-Trans.RAFs in Adobes products (I can easily reproduce that ugly “watercolour effect” in some shots). what we’ve been given right now is more or less a rudimentary file conversion that had to be programmed by a specific deadline, as it seems. so I’m looking forward to the update too – it can only get better!
Mat
3 months ago |I agree, I do hope it gets better support but there’s nothing wrong with those images. In fact it’s hard to tell the difference against your 5D mark II images… well unless you know the certain characteristics of particular lenses etc. If you came across those ‘blind’ I doubt anyone would think that is the terrible Raw processing of the X-Trans-files in action!
Hgn456
3 months ago |Well Adobe is really not the only game in town for RAW… I just use LR4 for final touches and cataloging….
Capture One 7, RPP, Acuraw and Silkypix DP5 all produce great results. when handled correctly. IMO, DP5 is more advanced then all the rest in terms of its handling of X-Trans files and Fuji meta data and as a result produces the best output…
If you do a google search you’ll find some specific fuji forums that have great resources surrounding all these RAW options.
Billbo
3 months ago |it will be this or the d7100, depending on the results of Lightroom on Monday
kuishinbou
3 months ago |Better doesn’t mean great, or even good for that matter. If Adobe puts out some more half-ass support, it really will be pointless. If they can’t demosaic Fuji’s raw files properly, it will likely mean one of two things: Adobe does not the resources or the will to do so; or Fuji has fallen short of their goal to make a groundbreaking, high quality camera system with exceptional image quality…jpegs are not sufficient for most serious photographers. Let’s hope some company will unleash the true potential of this unique sensor soon, as it is becoming to depressing to continuously get our hopes up to see failure after failure to mediocre raw support.
Hasi
3 months ago |Way to go Adobe! X-trans processing getting better is always welcome. Lightroom certainly had its shortcomings, but then so did Capture One. I was able to work through the Lightroom issues and keep my catalog processing in tact. Capture One would have required a complete reworking of my workflow and a restructuring of my old catalog with many many thousands of images.
Indulis
3 months ago |A good intermediate step would be for Fujifilm to add “export to 10-bit TIFF” as an option to the in-camera raw converter, then at least the five star photos I want to really work on would be accessible within LR.
kuishinbou
3 months ago |That would be smart on their part…they should also provide a simple but excellent raw converter with each camera – like ACR, but produced by Fuji. Then users could convert the files without artifacts, make minor adjustment to exposure, white balance, contrast, and colours, and then export the tiff file to Lightroom or whatever else. Seems like a no brainer, which would be a better option than what is out now…and it wonderful ld increase customer confidence in the system and market share…I am planning to buy the next-generation x series cameras with interchangeable lenses, but I may choose something else if there are still only half-ass raw conversion options available…nobody wants to buy something that could be great, but may never be. I love the style, the feel, the size, and the potential of these cameras, and I hope they can deliver the full package soon…i will only wait until the summer or early fall, as I have been waiting for about a year now, and I will soon need a new camera. If it was already 2014, and there were perhaps full frame mirrorless options with interchangeable lenses, I would perhaps not be so patient! So hopefully Fuji introduces the next-generation x series cameras with interchangeable lenses and the new sensor by summer, as rumored to be, and there is true -artifact free – raw support by then too. There should be a larger selection of lenses by then, so the system would be a great choice by then…
densh
3 months ago |AFAIK there is no 10-bit tiff. Only 8-bit and 16-bit.
Rich
3 months ago |It would be nice to think that we are going to get some sort of quantum leap, but I’m not holding my breath. Capture one threatened a significant improvement but turned out to be equally as useless as LR.
dean messenger
3 months ago |well today is monday… any news or do we have to wait until US timezone?
Hanseberhardt
3 months ago |No news????
admin
3 months ago |wait a bit…
MJr
3 months ago |Capture One 7 is now officially released …
You sure the source didn’t confuse that one with Adobe ?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/02/25/Phase-One-releases-Capture-One-Express-version-7
MJr
3 months ago |The ‘Express’ version that is.
patrick
3 months ago |As written in my C1 Express 7 post, the source didn’t confuse LR with C1… LR 4.4RC should be released on Monday in the USA, and Tuesday in Europe, so, if you are located in Europe, you can go sleeping, and tomorrow you should be able to download it. Let’s hope so
MJr
3 months ago |Ahh, wrong side of the planet.
Usually that only means a little later in the day.
Oh well, I’ll try and manage my curiosity a little longer.
Billbo
3 months ago |Why so serious? WHY SO SERIOUS?????
paul
3 months ago |why doesn’t fuji make a DNG converter?
MJr
3 months ago |DNG is still raw. It doesn’t matter what container you put it in, the data doesn’t change. If it did it would defeat the purpose of raw.
Elliot
3 months ago |perhaps now that Fuji has given them the trade secrets, Adobe now wants them to write the upgrade into Lightroom for them, I mean, just saying, ya know
Elliot
3 months ago |I have not found any other information on the web about a new 4.4 release candidate from Adobe. Maybe you did mean Capture one 7.:(
patrick
3 months ago |As I said to MJr the source didn’t confuse LR with C1… LR 4.4RC should be released on Monday in the USA, and Tuesday in Europe. You won’t find infos in the internet about 4.4, apart from Fujirumors. Let’s wait for tomorrow, if you are located in Europe, and if my source is right, you’ll be able to download it soon
Tailwagger
3 months ago |Hmmm… Monday, after 5PM EST. No update available at the moment. No that I’ve fully lost hope yet.
lim
3 months ago |I was really hoping there would be an update.
B. D. Colen
3 months ago |5:59 P.M. Business day is over on the U.S. East Coast. No sign of a release. So?
Dr
3 months ago |So, said source has successfully scammed fujirumors
Kelly C.
3 months ago |Lightroom 4.4 Release Candidate with improved support for the X-Trans sensor is now available:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom4-4
gil strickland
3 months ago |Lightroom 4.4- http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom4-4/
Mike
3 months ago |Apperantly it’s live now! With improvements to X-Trans sensors!! Have to wait to get home to download it. Hope it works.
Dr
3 months ago |And it is up!
http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2013/02/lightroom-4-4-release-candidate-now-availabile.html
http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/lightroom4-4.html
holger
3 months ago |Yup, it’s online now, can’t wait to see first results!
Mike
3 months ago |I guess it’s the Release Candidate and not the actual final update. Better than nothing I guess.
Tailwagger
3 months ago |I’ll never doubt you again!
Rico Pfirstinger
3 months ago |I have updated my RAW converter comparison with two samples that were processed with Lightroom 4.4RC. Please click here to read the article: http://www.fujirumors.com/comparing-raw-converters-jpeg-vs-lightroom-capture-one-silkypix/
Shane
3 months ago |My initial impressions are positive. The big difference for me is how well the images now respond to sharpening.
Previously a light sharpening of +25 was enough to introduce ugly squiggles; now I only see those above +100.
That said, it does seem that RAW files are a touch softer than JPGs from camera without sharpening. Whether its the fault of LR or that the cameras still apply a touch of sharpening, who can tell.
Whatever, I am contented that my LR + PS workflow is preserved.
Pdf Ninja
3 months ago |It’s out:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom4-4/
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/cameraraw7-4/
Glenn
3 months ago |Shane, I am seeing the same thing. Big difference. It will take me some time to figure out how to get the best out of the high ISO files, but in general, I am VERY happy now. Makes the camera complete for me.
Jorge
3 months ago |I’m no processing expert but last night I used the Silkypix that came boxed with my Panasonic LX5 on a XE1 raw file and it did an amazing job =- much better than my LR 4.3.
I’ve only shot about 120 images with my XE1, all in JPEG+RAW because we all know that someone out there, in time, will upgrade/develop an app that will unleash the full potential of the X-tran sensor.
Hopefully it’s LR, as I keep my 140,000+ D3, D700, D800, and Mamiya MF stored there.