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Sony Alpha RAW Converting and Image Editing

Mal Function
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Mal Function Newbie

Mal Function

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Hello,

New here, please be kind??

I have looked through some previous posts but I am hoping someone can tell me if I am doing something wrong with my choices below.

Recently retired and bought a pre owned Alpha A77 Mk2 with lenses, very pleased. I would like to edit the ARW files, when I try to import a ARW file into Gimp I get a message that it will not load RAW or ARW files and directs me to download another software. I have tried Capture One, but I do not have the "new catalogue" option in the file menu, and I do not have the orange box at the bottom of the uploader to upload? Do I have the full version or am I missing something? As I am now on a pension Photoshop is not really an option I just want to see what I can achieve. Any software suggestions or advice for Gimp or Capture One please would be gratefully accepted.

Mal,

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XKAES Proficient

XKAES

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A lot depends on what operating system you are using.

There are LOTS of free RAW converters out there, such as RawTherapee -- depending on you OS.

Search GOOGLE for what you want -- just include the word "FREE", but a lot of them are free TRIALS.

Everyone has their favorite.

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  • 9 months later...
Erock77 Apprentice

Erock77

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I'm in this boat and I can't seem to find a free software I like just yet. At this point, I'm in pretty heavy right now. I realize a paid subscription is the best way but I won't go that route until I'm churning out pics that deserve it. I have used Rawtherapy for now so I'm proud I was able to send photos from my phone to my MAC via airdrop. Then back onto my phone for sharing. 

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Cameratose Enthusiast

Cameratose

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7 hours ago, Erock77 said:

I'm in this boat and I can't seem to find a free software I like just yet. At this point, I'm in pretty heavy right now. I realize a paid subscription is the best way but I won't go that route until I'm churning out pics that deserve it. I have used Rawtherapy for now so I'm proud I was able to send photos from my phone to my MAC via airdrop. Then back onto my phone for sharing. 

I've been using Darktable since Version 3.1 or 2. There's a learning curve, but it's worth it. The program is incredibly powerful, well supported, and updated twice yearly. There's no way at this point I'd ever consider an Adobe product. That puts me in the minority and I'm ok with that. 

I have also used Luminar but removed it from my computer. It created something like 36,000 sidecar files in folders I never even opened. They also sell you a product that is a "one-time fee, all updates are free." The problem is they bring out a new version almost every year and stop updating the old one, so you end up having to buy the next version to get updated anyway. 

I have Affinity. I like it quite well, but it is limited for my use. It's good for one photo at a time. 

I can second the FastStone recommendation above. While it will process, its real value in in sorting and file management. I use it for culling and creating subfolders for my shoots. I can cull 2000-3000 photos down to the ones I want to keep in less than an hour. Once done, I process in Darktable. 

Edited to add: Darktable is 100% free, not a trial version. 

 

Edited by Cameratose
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