X-Trans Raw converter: Iridient update, alternative workflow, Photo Ninja, and online petition
Iridient
Brian just released Iridient Developer 2.3.2. No Fujifilm specific changes in this one. This version does fix a critical issue with the exposure slider for users running 10.6.8 and some non-English localizations introduced in the last update. Also fixes a preview display bug that could produce edge artifacts when viewing at high magnification in the preview window and also fixes potential issues with the UltraRez resizing methods when exporting very, very high resolution images (such as 24MP images scaled to 400% or more).
The new version can be downloaded from my web site here:
http://www.iridientdigital.
The full release notes for this and all previous version are available here:
http://www.iridientdigital.
Photo Ninja
– “Photo Ninja – Some comments from Jim Christian, the developer” can be read at soundimageplus here. Seems that now also PC user have a good alternative to Lightroom (MAC users already have Iridient). Soundimageplus says: “I and many others have been seriously impressed by what Photo Ninja has achieved with the Fuji X-Trans sensor raw files, finally ‘liberating’ them from the over processed ‘mush’ that has been the result of some more well-known software companies efforts and indeed the unimpressive Fuji / Silkypix software.”
Alternative Workflow
– The Alternative Workflow: from Lightroom to Photo Mechanic and Iridient Developer at thevisualexperience here: “Adobe Lightroom is great. Gives you a lot of possibilities, manages your library, develops your RAWs. It’s a great piece of software. Now, up to December 31st, you can have it with Photoshop for 10 USD a month if you, like me, have a licensed version of a Photoshop >CS3. So it’s a no brainer kind of buy. BUT. But if you’re looking for the best image quality out of your RAW then, well, there is something more. Previous tests on Iridient Developer actually confirm that, especially with X-Trans sensors, you can get much better results out of your RAWs. So the question is: If there is a good alternative for the RAW processing part, is there also a good alternative for the Library Management part?”
Fuji X-Trans Sharpening Presets for Lightroom
– Fuji X-Trans Sharpening Presets for Lightroom at thomasfitzgeraldphotography.com: “Incidentally, a lot of people have recommended Iridient Developer to me as it does a really good job with X-Trans files and I’ve been trying it out this weekend. It does indeed do a great job and certainly does a better job of de-moosiacing than Lightroom, however it does lack many of Lightroom’s creative tools. Still, I’m working on a workflow for using the two in tandem, and I’ll have a post about it soon.”
X-Trans
– Continuing Yin and Yang, the good and the bad with the Fuji X sensor at soundimageplus here: “Sometimes I think the images from my X-E1 are amongst the best I’ve ever seen, sometimes, if they happen to contain a lot of smeared similar looking green foliage, I wonder why on earth I bought it. However, spending the last few days in a heavy editing cycle, I’ve found a way to both deal with that and come to terms with it. You may have noticed that despite all my many reservations about the X-E1, poor battery life, smeary foliage, poor video etc. I still have it and still use it. I expressed some reservations in a previous post about the performance at low ISO’s, but I’ve made an interesting discovery. The more you upsize the files the better the camera / sensor does in relationship to others.”
– Don’t forget the Fuji details at simonpeckham here.
Online petition 1
– And if you are still not happy with how LR handles X-Trans files, then here is an online petition: “Please [Fuji and Adobe] cooperate to provide your common customers with better X-Trans raw files support.”
Online petition 2
Stop the discontinuation of Fuji 3000b Instant Film by Fujifilm: “Fuji FP-3000B is the most versatile instant film on the market today. Not only does it have the highest ISO rating of any instant film currently produced, it is the only one that produces a very easy to work with negative. There IS a market for this film. We ARE out here using it and supporting it every day. There are groups on Flickr and Facebook designated specifically to instant film. We highly encourage you to STOP the discontinuation of your wonderful and beloved 3000b film!” Do you agree? Then sign the petition here.