Capture One v. 4 Beta available

RalphEisenberg · #1 08-30-2007, 10:01 AM

Stumbled on this by chance. Currently downloading for Mac.

Gerry Kerr · #2 08-30-2007, 11:23 AM

Hi Ralph

Where did you find it....

Gerry

RalphEisenberg · #3 08-30-2007, 01:14 PM

I found it here:

http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Downloads/CO4.aspx

If you find the UI visually taxing (I certainly do) in comparison to C1 Pro 3.7.7, please point this out on the Phase One forums devoted to the v. 4 Beta, before this becomes etched in stone.

jamaio · #4 08-31-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphEisenberg

I found it here:

Phase One -

If you find the UI visually taxing (I certainly do) in comparison to C1 Pro 3.7.7, please point this out on the Phase One forums devoted to the v. 4 Beta, before this becomes etched in stone.

Wow, "visually taxing" is an understatement. Its like a completely new program. I had to hunt for the sharpening controls, for example. Not sure I understand yet what's been improved in this version, but I'll experiment more when I have time.

DonLashier · #5 08-31-2007, 04:41 AM

Aside from the change in the look, which other than the small icons others have mentioned I rather like, I find that from a functional aspect PhaseOne has implemented every single feature on my wish list - guess they've been listening.

- n-up display
- multi-level rating
- multiple adjustment sets of same image
- previews/settings now stored locally with images (better for archiving)
- crop tool now adapts to orientation (portrait/landscape)!

If you set tools on right and thumbs on the left it's almost familiar. I'd prefer the old word tabs to the icons but if the icons were made larger I'd be ok. I wish they'd either let you panel several tool sets or construct a custom one (maybe thet do, haven't dug that deep yet), but I'm ok with the existing setup as my workflow usually involves one panel at a time working through the images anyway.

I like the additional flexibility of the new levels tool. I've only briefly experiemented with the HDR tools but they seem promising.

The big question that remains is how much of a market still exists for a tool without asset management, but otoh maybe that's a feature of the upcoming pro version and in any case, for me image quality is paramount and C1 still rules.

edit: jeez, edited tag kicks in at two minutes! Give us at least 10 to correct typos!

- DL

RalphEisenberg · #6 08-31-2007, 08:43 AM

Hello Don,

Some of the points I adduced elsewhere may be apposite here as well:

a) I find that the Curves tool has not been enhanced, and this was highest on my list (I'm a fan of the point-Curves in ACR 4.1 as opposed to Lightroom).

b) The rotation tool for me does not function as in C1 Pro, Mac version, where double clicking on the icon in the toolbar would summon up a dialogue box allowing you to carry out the rotation adjustment by small numerical increments from the keyboard's up and down arrows.

c) I find that I can't adjust WB from the keyboard in small increments, and have been unsuccessful doing so using the sliders. This is quite trying.

d) Even in Aperture, which I don't consider exemplary by any means, the HDR tool offers the user far greater control in determining the range of the desired effects.

e) There are some very encouraging reports that conversion quality has been improved. Once I get beyond crashes while converting (apparently not a very widespread problem), this is the factor that I find most heartening.

f) settings and previews have always been stored locally on the Mac in C1 Pro. And while I had reservations about Sessions when they were first instituted, now I find them very valuable and I hope that they will be back in C1 Pro 4.

g) Centralized preferences as in C1 Pro 3.7.7 covering all the bases as there.

Voicing these points merely indicates vested interests in a mainstay application that has been the benchmark up till recently for Raw conversion programs.