batch raw conversion - what program?

[Fordo]

would anyone be able to recommend a program for batch converting raw images?

Im doing some timelapse for a project- i using shoot jpeg for timelapse, to save on hd space, and to just make life easier, but for the 'lapse im shooting theres going to be a massive contrast ratio, so id like to do timelapse in raw, so i can eek out every drop of dynamic range out of the images.

But i'll need a program for batch converting the raws. Id like a program where i can preview one or two images, tweak white balance, adjust curves etc, to pull back some detail in highlights, then get the program to back convert all the raws to say tiffs or pngs, ready for import into after effects or motion.

Are there batch converters that can do this? Ive currently got aperture and photoshop- anyone know if either of this can do the job im after? i thought about actions in photoshop, but im not sure actions can be applyed to the raw importer part of the program.

preferably im after a mac program, but i can do pc at a push

thanks in advance

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I use Capture One, and it does what you need and a lot more. You can get a free thirty day trial of the latest version here.

[Simpo Two]

Yep - Ctrl/A, hit 'process' and come back when it's cooked.




Now if only Lightroom worked like that

[beano500]

Lightroom

[jon-]

Simpo Two said:

Yep - Ctrl/A, hit 'process' and come back when it's cooked.

Now if only Lightroom worked like that

Why can't it? Edit the master image in lightroom, copy the develop settings, ctrl+a, paste the develop settings, all your raws are now tweaked in the same way.

Right click, export, pick your size, file type and export folder, job done.

[gary71]

jon- said:

Simpo Two said:

Yep - Ctrl/A, hit 'process' and come back when it's cooked.

Now if only Lightroom worked like that

Why can't it? Edit the master image in lightroom, copy the develop settings, ctrl+a, paste the develop settings, all your raws are now tweaked in the same way.

Right click, export, pick your size, file type and export folder, job done.

What he said!

[Fordo]

thanks guys, will download trials of both and see which suits me best

[911newbie]

If I'm not mistaken Raw Therapee does batch conversion...
I like it and use it as my default RAW converter / editor.

You might want to try UFRaw which I use to get raw images straight into GIMP.

Chris

[furtive]

Faststone image viewer. It's free and works great.

[Simpo Two]

OK, I just can't get my head round LR after C1 Pro.

[Bacardi]

Aperture will do all you want and would be better than PS for batches (although Aperture doesn't have traditional curves, but does have highlight/shadow sliders).

Personally, I'm not that keen on LR and it's 4 separate departments, the controls may be a bit user friendlier although some things like highlight and shadow control are called things like recover and fill light, just to make you think a bit more. Not that keen on Aperture really either, has some annoying traits, but other people love it, as do other people like LR. Both these programs are, generally, very capable. I don't use library or cataloguing features so can't really comment although LR and Aperture are more powerful than C1.

However, for the best picture quality, with the best colours, straight out of the box with least fiddling, C1 is the dogs, especially with reds. Also has a more precise colour editor feature rather than the click and drag/ sliders of Aperture and LR. All these programs have a lift and stamp, copy and paste features to apply the same edits to groups of similar files.

So it just boils down to personal preference, so have a play with them all, then pays your money and makes your choice... or use Aperture as you already have it.