P: Improved Fuji X-Trans Support?

Report · Jul 02, 2014

Is Fuji X-Trans support being worked on?I appreciate that the support is better now than it was, but the reality is that Lightroom is still a long way behind other RAW developers, all of which are less well funded and with smaller teams working on the software.Lightroom has been the leader in RAW processing an image cataloging as far back as I can recall; but with the Fuji X-Trans files many people I know are leaving Adobe Lightroom for one of the many other developers, all of which are producing far better results than Adobe Lightroom.Ones I have personally tested are as follows: Iridient DeveloperPhoto NinjaLightZoneCapture OneApertureSilkyPixRaw TherapeeIridient is very good, and this is a piece of software made by a single man.My question is, if he can get it right, why can't Adobe? They have been leaders in innovation for many years but it seems in some areas now they are falling behind - I have never seen so many people leave a major developer for smaller independent ones, but to Fuji users (both enthusiasts and professionals) it's a pretty simple decision when you compare results.So all I'd like to know is if my patience sticking with Lightroom is justified, and whether a solution is being worked on - or will always be worked on. Or is it a case that the users wanting such a change are not enough to support such work.

Report · Dec 07, 2014

I'm of the opinion that Adobe is fully aware of the problems, knows how to solve them, and has decided that this is as far as they go. My guess is that the problem is the time it takes to process X-Trans files to the level that some ask for. Adobe's worry is that if they go to that level (and which Adobe already has built an equivalent -- somewhere) the complaints will start streaming in from LR users about how long it takes to process each image file. The users that are "really serious" have integrated other RAW processors into their workflow -- so problem solved there.

I've been using Photo Ninja since the Beta that included X-Trans support and it is linked to PhotoShop (I rarely use LR and use my own filing/cataloging approach). I know that you get a better file using Photo Ninja, but the files do take longer to process.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

Do you mean Corel AfterShot Pro?
Its image quality is awful - I used it several months for my Nikon Cameras.
Lightroom is lightyears ahead. Noise reduction and highlight reconstruction are just a joke.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

Plus one on Adobe needing to address the x-trans issue. Great cameras, irridient does do a noticeably better job of processing. I've incorporated it into my workflow now. Watching other companies software offerings and will abandon LR if one comes along that offers some of the module features. Just listened to a podcast about Corel's offering for images that sounds great for an interface, but I don't know if they support the x-trans.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

I've read that there is an official statement from Adobe that this would be improved in LR6. Unfortunately I cannot remember where I read this.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

I also wait for LR6 and hope, there will be significant improvements in processing of x-trans RAWs. But now I purchased a license for Iridient Developer and can say, that this is very good software for our needs.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

It would be acceptable if Adobe improved this with a new process version. Hopefully LR6 will have this new process version.

Lightroom has it's strengths in comparison to C1 - for example highlight recovery. Please improve detail rendering with Xtrans sensors.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

@ Jim Dobbins: i don't like "acceptable" Quality for my outstanding Fujifilm X-Trans Images.

LR has a good workflow, for sure. LR has some good points. but the most important point should be Image Quality. They fail in so many ways in that point.

too bad...

Report · Dec 06, 2014

I'm not frustrated, because I've moved to Capture One Pro 8. The difference is incredible, but not in the luminance detail, which I can _almost_match in LR (not quite), but the color detail, where the difference is obvious. And this isn't just X100S pics (my Fuji camera). I reviewed old raw Canon Rebel XT pics from 2006 in both converters, and it's shocking to go back and find subtle colors that just get lost in LR. It's as if LR averages colors across an extra pixel or two, essentially washing over what to me is essential info.

I still have access to LR if I want it (because my company has a site license, so I don't pay for it!) I just don't feel any need to use it anymore.

Report · Dec 06, 2014

you should stop paying and quit adobe. they are unable to fix this. this issue persists for 2 years now.

wake up. they don't fix this.

fujis x-trans sensor is not important enough for them.

if you get familiar with capture one, you will laugh about lightroom.

another example: DXO. the do not support x-trans, because they are honest and want to do it right. ... "and this takes time..."

i like to call everybody here in the forum to quit adobe and stop throwing money in their throat. switch to another software. lightroom is not worth the money and your precious time!

Report · Dec 02, 2014

Yes, Adobe could do a bit better here.
Fuji's sensor is really great but Adobe needs to improve demosaicing and sharpening.
I hope this wil be addressed in LR6.

Report · Dec 02, 2014

The Lens Correction Data is embedded in The Raw File. You don't Need extra Lens Profiles oft you use Original Fuji Lenses.

Report · Nov 21, 2014

XTrans Sharpening in LR 5.7 seems better to me than in 5.6.
Is it the placebo of the new version or is there really an improvement???

Report · Nov 19, 2014

Iridient gives more smooth gradients while LR gives rough and dirty picture.

Report · Nov 19, 2014

On the left is Iridient, on the right is Lightroom

Report · Nov 19, 2014

I've tried to increase the detail slider to 100 and use a small amount value. I've also tried the values suggested in the mentioned articles. But in my case the results have been worse.

My default settings for the XT-1 are:
Amount: 35
Radius: 1,6 (I know that's quite much)
Details: 45
Masking: 30 (Depending on the subject)

Report · Nov 18, 2014

To have all photos organized in catalogue it is very convenient, but not to have any opportunity to post-process in correct way photos is awful. So I forget about catalogue and switched to Iridient Developer and now I feel myself a happiest man on Earth.

Report · Nov 18, 2014

I've never seen such a big difference between C1 and Lightroom. But in this example there is really a huge difference.

I really don't want to move to C1 because it destroyed my catalogue and I have no faith in this software.

Report · Nov 18, 2014

Adobe's lack of support and lack of any official word on this topic is still disappointing.This thread has been active for 5 months now with 31 others sharing the same issue - not a lot granted - but this isn't the only thread on this topic and it's the 13th most popular post in the "problems" section.

Only today I am processing hundreds of images and what I thought were out of focus areas due to an f1.2 lens is actually just softness caused by Adobe Lightroom; this was only clear to me when I demoed the latest version of Capture One Pro. This is very frustrating to feel that as a Lightroom user and Adobe supporter I am having to put up with inferior results.

Adobe, please do us the decency of addressing the complaints, even if it's to say you have no plans to improve support - at least then the loyal customers, such as I, can finally make a call whether to migrate away to another RAW developer.

As it stands we are waiting with baited breath hoping to maintain large libraries and edits rather than move away, but this is a long time complaint that seemingly isn't being addressed.

It's generally accepted by Fuji users that Adobe are lagging way behind the competition when it comes to Fuji X-Trans support and as the biggest developer with the largest budget this simply doesn't make sense.

Here is an example from today. I don't think I need to label which is from Lightdoom.

Report · Oct 16, 2014

Thanks for your replies guys. Much appreciated. Looks like I'll be staying with LR for everything.

I have also just come across this...

http://photographylife.com/fujifilm-r...

Report · Oct 15, 2014

I too am on the verge of switching from Nikon to Fuji (drowning all my Nikon gear in a Himalayan river has helped the decision!)

As Andres mentions above, what are those of you leaving LR going to to about your cataloged images?
Not only have I invested a lot of time in learning LR (and still have a lot to learn), I have 30k+ images cataloged.

I am currently using LR 4.3 and would therefore need to upgrade when I move to Fuji. Having read this thread I'm unsure as to the best move.

Suggestions?

Report · Oct 13, 2014

When you have over 25k files developed and categorized in Lightroom you don't want to change the raw converter.
Turning the detail slider to 100 and reducing the amount of sharpening I can live with the situation until the next major update.
I would love to spend 60 bucks if sharpening and details would be as good as in Capture One.
I really like to unleash the power of the X trans sensor...

I am sure that time will come when LR is again a step ahead from Capture One. It's the same race as between Canon and Nikon. Then I don't want to change again.

Report · Oct 13, 2014

Sorry Andreas, i dont want Lightroom 6. I payed Money for Lightroom 5. it doesn't work good, as anybody knows. So why should i pay additional Money for bugfixes?!?

I expect a bugfix in lightroom 5. THEN i think about LR 6.

But i dont think that adobe cares. In The ACR 8.7 Beta there is still no sign of bugfix for this issue.

I think The guy from The photokina fujifilm Booth was right as he mentioned, that Adobe wants to earn Money and wait for LR 6 to Get this issue solved.

Not my Circus. Not my Monkeys.

I Switched to Capture One. I want to be on the right side of the gap. ;)

Capture One and Apple Aperture are the best Solution, if you want an "all-in-one" Package. Best raw convertion, good Workflow, good file Handling.

Aperture Sadly is a Dead end. It was my Favorite.

Now i think i Found a successor with capture one but Not with lightroom.

Adobe, canon, Nikon, they all gonna end like Blackberry, Nokia, etc. because they are sleeping. Not Developing. I am Done with them.

Old grey Gentlemen, the Future Knocks on your door.

Bye!

Report · Oct 13, 2014

Fuji X Trans cameras are going to be more and more popular. I am also planning to switch from Nikon to Fuji.
It should be no problem for Adobe to support R-L convolution sharpening properly to support X trans files.
The gap between CaptureOne and Lightroom sharpening is very big. Adobe, take this chance for Lightroom 6!

Report · Oct 07, 2014

Same problem. Been using Adobe Products since PS v2.5 and LR 1.0. Great tools. Unfortunately, switching from Canon to Fuji has left me in the position of needing to adopt a different software solution for RAW conversion and DAM. Capture One Pro 8, here I come.

Report · Sep 26, 2014

Well I've loaded the same RAF file from my X-T1 to Lightroom and Iridient and switched off all sharpening and noise reduction (set them to zero). So everybody can see the difference. On the left is ID and on the right is LR. The picture from LR is not so crisp and looks rough.