What kind of post processing software do I need?
I use a Nikon d3100, the only software I have is Paint Shop Pro 7, which is pretty old. Can you do much with that or do I need to buy a newer one? I want to be able to edit photos in RAW like the pros. I understand that these are pretty expensive.
I used Paint Shop for the longest time… Good for quick fixes & cropping/resizing. I use CS5 and Lightroom mostly now. And shooting raw is over-rated.
Regardless of what the "pros" think.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7, may be too old for newer modern digital imaging and for raw, still ok for basic jpg and other formats, not ok, with newer OS 64bit formats,
Nikon d3100
http://imaging.nikon.com/...slr/d3100/
Capture NX 2, ViewNX 2,
http://imaging.nikon.com/.../software/
may require latest Paintshop Pro version or other brands,
Corel PaintShop Pro X5
http://www.corel.com/...rod4900067
Adobe - Photoshop CS6
http://www.adobe.com/...p/compare/
ArcSoft PhotoStudio
http://www.arcsoft.com/products/photostudio/
ACDSee Photo Editor
http://www.acdsee.com/en/products/acdsee-photo-editor-2008
Picture Window Pro
http://www.dl-c.com/
___
DxO Optics Pro
http://www.dxo.com/us/photo/dxo_optics_pro
Phase One Capture One
http://www.phaseone.com/en/Image-Software.aspx
Adobe Photoshop Elements
http://www.adobe.com/...shopelwin/
.
Those of us who shoot RAW files exclusivly, use Adobe Lightroom 3.5 or 4
If you are a student, you can buy Lightroom in your student store for under $100
If not, from time to time Adobe offers Lightroom for $150, a program that sells or just under $200 retail.
Get Adobe Lightroom. It's made specifically for photography, and especially editing RAW images. Photoshop is also very useful to have around, but I do 99% of my photography post-processing in Lightroom.
No, PSP7 can't open RAW files natively but then again, neither can Photoshop… At least not without the free plug in.
Instead, what you could do is use the software that came with your D3100 View NX. Unless I'm mistaken it has basic RAW conversion and editing capabilities.
I use Lightroom 4 for any post editing, but i use one of the programs that came with my camera to go through my photos before importing them to Lightroom. I find it easier to sort this way, Just my personal preferance