Author Topic: Which software to convert Sony Alpha ARW RAW files? (Read 49387 times)

gborce · « **on:** April 09, 2008, 18:33 »

I have been using the CS3 Camera RAW so far, but I do get noise in the blue channels, shadows, etc. more often than I would like to? I have given a try to the bundled in Sony Media Browser (or whatever is really called), but the couple of images I convert did not strike me as much better as the ones from CS3?

Has anyone done some extensive comparison between these two programs (or maybe a third one, Aperture, Lightroom, etc., I am willing to pay the money to switch just not to have to deal with the * noise anymore!) and can recommend the best quality software to convert ARW files?

I have the A100 model now, so this question is mostly about that model, but I am getting the A700 soon, so any suggestions for both models are welcome.

I am aware that the Sony sensors are also used in Nikon cameras, but I guess it would be going out on a limb to assume that somehow Nikons software can be used for ARW conversion?

thanks
BG

gborce · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2008, 13:35 »

so no one here uses Alphas??? WOW

PecoFoto · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2008, 17:22 »

I think blue channel noise is down to the Bayer pattern of CCD sensors and the fact that blue data has to be interpolated.

I suffer with it on my Nikon on certain shades of blue sky and use a custom setting on my Noiseware plug-in to get rid of it.

Cabal · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2008, 13:13 »

good article on processors for ARW RAW http://photoclubalpha.kilpatrickmedia.net/2008/02/21/a700-6400-iso-seven-raw-processors/

calgal · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2008, 04:45 »

VSO Software posted this:

Quote

VSO Image Resizer 2.0.1.9 fixes some problems when settings were saving and includes the latest DCRAWlib version available to add the support of .ARW raw files from Sony digital camera.

newbielink:http://www.vso-software.fr [nonactive] July 20, 2008

VSO Image Resizer is to convert and resize pictures, it might do the trick for you.

Fran · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2008, 14:44 »

I use the A200 and LR to process ARW. I read that LR is pretty bad at high ISO with the A700, they all suggest to use IDC (Sony Software) in this scenario for better noise control.
I could notice a marginal improvement updating from LR to LR2. Overall it does a decent job but you really want to have some camera profiles for the A100 or built your own using a color chart. I havent had any major technical problems with micro or macro sites passing IQ: all my failures are always cause I suck not the camera or the ARW converter

Johnn · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:54 »

Quote from: gborce on April 09, 2008, 18:33

... recommend the best quality software to convert ARW files?

I have the A100 model now, so this question is mostly about that model, but I am getting the A700 soon, so any suggestions for both models are welcome.

You may be able to use Ivan Image Converter to convert your Sony Camera Raw files (ARW, SRF, SR2) to JPEG, TIFF, BMP, etc. (more than 40 image formats), also in batch mode or command line. Supported Sony cameras: DSC-F828, DSC-R1, DSC-V3, DSLR-A100, DSLR-A200, DSLR-A230, DSLR-A300, DSLR-A700, etc.

more info here: newbielink:http://www.ivanview.com/ivan-image-converter.html [nonactive]

eppic · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2009, 07:34 »

I see this is an old thread but I'll chime in anyway as I use both the A350 and the A700. For the A350, I convert the ARW files to DNG using Adobe's free DNG converter. This brings those big 18MB files down to a more manageable 12MB or so. I then do my editing in Adobe Lightroom or use Corel PSP12 as it can read theDNG files.
With the A700 I always shoot in cRAW and then edit them directly in Lightroom. Ive tried Sony's software but never cared for it. In Lightroom though you do need to tweak the color profile for the A700. Theres an excellent article on this on the dyxum.com forum.