CaptureOne LE: Very basic.
Written: Jan 17 '07 (Updated Jan 24 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Bundle offer, fast in-editor rendering, good output quality, effective sharpening
Cons: Very limited functionality, less appealing interface, no DNG support, no geometry engine
The Bottom Line: A good basic editor that faces stiff competition due to reduced functionality and antiquated interface.
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| theuerkorn's Full Review: Phase One Capture One LEâ„¢ Full Version for PC (5... |
The cheapest way to get RAW software these days is to rely on the program that's included with your camera. The next option might be a free software. Professional editors, on the other hand are typically expensive. PhaseOne is one of the pioneers in the field and until the release of the "LE" version out of reach for many home users. That is until Sandisk and PhaseOne teamed up to offer a nearly irresitable combination. Buy a qualifying* Extreme III card and a free product code for the entry level software CaptureOne LE is included. So what's keeping you from getting an advanced RAW editor?
(read on for reasons ...)
THE SANDISK DEAL
The first reason might be as easy as eligibility. Please follow this link to read more about the Extreme III and the related PhaseOne offer. (Hint: you need to look out for special marked boxes.)
IN A NUTSHELL
This review covers the current version 3.7.6 and possible updates will be posted as soon as 4.0 becomes available early 2007. (That of course depends on upgrade options from the current version.)
PhaseOne made a name in the industry with their oddly named CaptureOne software which pretty much was one of the first professional grade RAW editors. Times change and to reach a broader audience, PhaseOne decided to release a consumer grade version (reduced functionality) under the LE nomenclature (I guess for Light Edition).
Unlike DxO Optics Pro 4.1, PhaseOne decided to scale their product by adjusting included functionality while maintaining compatibility with all supported formats. You be the judge what's better, but the LE version ends up with very little functionality that makes the expense of $99 less appealing should you already use an editor like Canon's Digital Photo Professional 2.x (DPP).
All professional background aside, the LE version is very limited and overall not easy to recommend. There are a few nice details that didn't get tossed out, but they don't compensate for what's missing. Nevertheless, it's still a good basic editor with powerful process engine inside. Too bad it's not allowed to shine.
DETAILS
Interface: [***--] - It's basic and the first thing to notice is its distinct freeware look. In other words, there is nothing fancy about it despite the professional aim of the full version. Usability, on the other hand, is only superficially affected by looks. With the thumbnail view on the left, the picture preview in the middle and tool palette on the right, orientation is relatively easy, though the vertical tabs somewhat disguise the underlying functions and allow access to only one group at a time. The preview function is very quick but confusing as 100% doesn't seem to follow the expected "actual pixels" (it's much smaller and results in a fit screen). Overall, the interface is clean and easy enough to navigate, but provides very little advanced users would look for to be more efficient.
Workflow: [***--] - There is no forced workflow and CaptureOne is quite usable as a hit & run editor to quickly convert a few pictures. Unlike DxO the "project" is less organized and pulling from different folders while processing them into a single target isn't easy (without the leg work). There are limited provisions to select multiple pictures and make changes in bulk (i.e. set all to daylight white balance).
Corrections: [***--] - As mentioned already CaptureOne LE is greatly reduced in functionality compared to the professional version. The user is left with exposure, sharpness, while balance and tone curve adjustments. Geometry correction (distortion, perspective etc.) is completely absent in the LE version and so is and advanced noise reduction. Spot removal (dust) and other advanced features are missing as well. Overall, it's very similar in available corrections as a standard editor and frankly there is very little that sets it apart from Canon's DPP software (free for Canon dSLR owners). However, as most settings color correction is only global and offers only white and black points to select. Nevertheless, CaptureOne offers a powerful "soft" sharpening mode which yields good results without the typical halos.
Automation: [***--] - PhaseOne doesn't analyze the picture upon opening in order to provide a good guess. Most changes are user driven and depend on craftsmanship rather than algorithms. Settings can be applied to a subset of pictures, and CaptureOne can use the current settings and apply the to the rest of the folder. Overall the motion to select may have unwanted effects if you're by accident choosing to apply to all pics in the same folder. More selective is the batch process. Following general conventions, it allows to place multiple pictures in a batch and process later (unattended).
Quality: [****-] - With all the restrictions the LE render engine still has a professional heritage. Not surprisingly, output quality is very good for color, sharpness and exposure as well as tone. The limited controls limit this statement to standard problems which don't require advanced corrections. One of the most sorely missing improvements is the treatment of chromatic aberration (or purple fringes). There seems to be some treatment built in since fringes are slightly reduced, but not eliminated nor adjustable. This may also just a result of a good algorithm to "demosaic" the Bayer configuration.
Performance: [****-] - CaptureOne LE may have the advantage to be not weighted down by a lot of functionality, but rendering the preview is exceptionally fast. This changes with the sharpening simulation turned on and zoomed to actual pixel size. Overall, it appears that speed in the LE version is good but to a larger degree due to limited processing (functionality).
© 2007, theuerkorn
RELATED REVIEWS
- DxO Optics Pro v4.1 Standard
- SanDisk Extreme III CF [4GB]
Recommended:
Yes
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