Having used both, I would never pick the Pentax RAW converter for any
serious work.
First: why are you using the Camera Raw beta? Unless it is that the
PEF files you're trying to use are not compatible with CR v3.2, I
would NOT use beta software as a learning tool.
The proper way to use the Adobe Camera Raw conversion software is to
ignore white balance presets and work on your images per their needs.
Use the graypoint picker tool to set a basic white balance, adjust
with the color temperature sliders. If you are consistently making a
particular kind of change for all your images, incorporate that into
a new set of defaults for Camera Raw. You can also set up your own
presets for different scene types.
If you really want to understand and become proficient at RAW
conversion with Camera Raw, the oft-mentioned "Real World Camera Raw
with Photoshop CS2" is a must. If you're using Photoshop Elements 3
or 4, most of the specific information regards RAW format conversion
and the Camera Raw plug in applies, although some of the more
advanced features of Camera Raw will not be available to you.
Workflow concepts will apply, but you won't have Bridge and Photoshop
CS2 to build the full workflow scenarios.
Godfrey
On Nov 20, 2005, at 2:54 AM, Jack Isidore wrote:
I can't decide which RAW converter is the best. I have tried the
latest Adobe beta and Pentax.
Adobe has more options like noise and color fringing reduction. The
white balance settings drive me nuts. Only "As Shot" or Manual are
usable. Adobe RAW would be nice since it allows me to convert PEF to
DNG and save disc space.
The Pentax RAW converter displays the best white balance settings. The
white balance settings are identical (I think) to the camera settings.
The bad thing about the Pentax converter is remaining color noise and
ugly artefact's on color borders/edges.
Jack
