Sony Alpha RAW Converting and Image Editing

[Mal Function]

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,

[Russ]

If cost is a factor I would suggest trying Affinity Photo £68 for any processing along with Faststone image viewer that is FREE.(https://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm)

You view images in Faststone then open from there into Affinity Photo. (There is I think a free trial of Affinity)

Russ

 

[XKAES]

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.