Who has switched from Lightroom to Capture One?

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Darwin

Well-known member
So before seeing the video I had considered switching from Lightroom because my adobe subscription has increased by %50 to $600. Apparently, Adobe uses a ton of diesel to get its software updated. I have the full adobe package because I use Acrobat Pro a lot for work and Lightroom for my photography. I almost never use PS and the times that I do I can sacrifice without. So, I decided to switch to just Acrobat Pro and save $400 which covers twice the cost of Capture One. I always hear such good things about Capture One, but I have been using PS and Adobe for 25 years and always thought it was a waste of time to consider other options. This video coincidentally came out today and I have to say, I also see more grain with my Z9 at 800ISO than I felt I did on my d850 photos. Who else uses Capture One and if you switched, how was it?
 
I tried it and thought it was better but the learning curve to replace what I can do with LR masks prevented me from jumping. Z9 files do seem to be grainier in LR with the default preset. The sharpen slider seems to be the culprit (I seem to remember is set at 40) and dialing back to zero makes a huge difference especially so for HE * files which IMHO are still a work in progress for Adobe.
 
I switched to Capture One over a year ago and have been using it for Z6, Z7II, and Z9 files. The learning curve isn't that bad, although many of the concepts are reversed (such as masking). In comparing the files I do see that the defaults of Capture One produce a much better file - less noise, better color and contrast, and sharpening is better.
 
I switched to Capture One over a year ago and have been using it for Z6, Z7II, and Z9 files. The learning curve isn't that bad, although many of the concepts are reversed (such as masking). In comparing the files I do see that the defaults of Capture One produce a much better file - less noise, better color and contrast, and sharpening is better.
I tried it and thought it was better but the learning curve to replace what I can do with LR masks prevented me from jumping. Z9 files do seem to be grainier in LR with the default preset. The sharpen slider seems to be the culprit (I seem to remember is set at 40) and dialing back to zero makes a huge difference especially so for HE * files which IMHO are still a work in progress for Adobe.
It’s worlds better. I’ve spent the last 48 hours watching tutorials and I still have a lot of short cuts and things to learn but the files are so nice and the control you have is so impressive. I’m very happy.
 
I switched back in 2016 from Lightroom and prefer Capture One. There is a learning curve, but once you get things setup it's very fast to work with (the speed edit keys make it really fast do make common adjustments). The DAM side of C1 isn't quite as robust as Lightroom, but it's easy enough to split every few years into separate catalogs. I also like being able to work with layers in particular in C1. When I transitioned I followed some of the learning from Martin Bailey Photography as he detailed some of the custom keyboard shortcuts he used to ease the transition. Finally, I haven't experienced C1 being less expensive than the Photographer's bundle as I like to stay up to date, but it's worth it for me.
 
I made the switch a couple of years ago and have been very satisfied with the product and support. I was using Lightroom 6 standalone and preferred the non subscription products. They did a nice job with the Z9 files, although I have not used the HE formats. There customer support is pretty darned good. I missed one of their cutoff dates for moving to a new version when I bought in. A quick email to them and they gave it to me. The camera profiles are excellent as well.
 
I switched quite a while ago, mainly due to Adobe‘s issues with Fujifilm files. I just just purchased a new Fujifilm camera and Adobe had gone subscription only. I decided since I needed to buy something anyway, it was a good time to look.

There are a few things I think LR does better and LR has more options for plug-ins. I feel CaptureOne does better for most things and that it gets more out of each image. There is a learning curve to it as nothing is in the same place and things have different names. I don’t regret changing.
 
I use Capture One Pro and love it. I find it untuitive and easy to use and the results I get I think are excellent - I have been using it since 2005 and have tried others but Capture One works for me. Look at my posted photos and make up your own mind as to the results. However, I do use Photoshop after converting my files to 16bit TIFF in Capture Oneand once in Photoshop I may use noise reduction like Topaz and I do use things like clone stamping and "fill" for removing certain things. I also use a plug in for sharpening called Power Retouche which is quick, easy and works very well. I resize for webview, then sharpen.
 
I switched from LR to C1 when Adobe went into the rental business, and I haven't regretted it. Rendering of raw files under C1 v9 was superior to that of LR at the time, and from the odd comment I see on the interweb, I take it that it remains the better processor.
I do 99% of my processing in C1, with the very occasional touch up in Affinity Photo.
 
I use both Lightroom and Capture One! I love both! I use Capture One mainly with my medium format Camera (Raw Moss) which I can't process it with Adobe. I process my Nikon raw mostly with Lightroom. I find Capture one is very powerful with some tools, like colors, layers, local adjustment, and clarity. That is why from time to time I se it with Nikon.
Capture One membership is more expensive that Adobe CC. So, if you need one software, I suggest you keep Adobe.
You can also purchase Capture One , but you have to pay the upgrade each time. That what I do.
 
I suppose I should start this with something on the lines of "full disclosure" ... As I've posted here before, I'm a big fan of the CaptureOne + Affinity Photo combo, however ... a couple of days ago I downloaded Nikon NX Studio and tried it out with Affinity and and am quite impressed with what it can do for only the one time low-cost purchase of AP. I do like C1 a lot, but don't like any of the forced subscription software models.
 
I suppose I should start this with something on the lines of "full disclosure" ... As I've posted here before, I'm a big fan of the CaptureOne + Affinity Photo combo, however ... a couple of days ago I downloaded Nikon NX Studio and tried it out with Affinity and and am quite impressed with what it can do for only the one time low-cost purchase of AP. I do like C1 a lot, but don't like any of the forced subscription software models.
I’m loving capture one. I’ve recently composed a list of my favorite 40 or so images and I am going to go back an re-edit with capture one. As far as cost, I don’t find capture one to be expensive. Adobe LR and Photoshop is the same price but they increase every year. Capture one is half off right now, 105$ for now and ~210 every year after. I don’t do heavy editing or removing objects from images so I rarely use PS anymore. If I decide to get PS only in the future it’s still worth it for me. Even if it’s an extra $100 a year, it’s such s superior product when compared to LR. Also, that’s really nothing cost wise when you consider the cost of the camera, lenses, computer, and monitor. I’m very happy with the switch.
 
All these Z9 and you need a 24 dollar a month editor to make it better?
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After reading this thread and video, I'm buying Capture One. left this post and just purchased it. I try to shoot naturally, what you see is what you get as I just need a better cropping tool. I like you can opt for a one time purchase.
 
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