Question about Aperture software.

table1349 · Sep 23, 2008

My wife has finally, after many, many, many, (did I mention many), years decided to go with a Mac laptop. Obviously that opens the door to getting a Mac home computer now.

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My question is for those Mac users with Aperture. I am curious as to its good points, bad points, useability etc. I am also curious if there is any other software out there for the Mac that you might suggest instead of Aperture for initial editing of RAW files.

Bifurcator · Sep 23, 2008

The best 3 apps of this sort are:

Capture One
Adobe LightRoom
Aperture

Aperture's bad points:

It bogs down unbearably after more than about 6 or 7 image adjustments - to a single image. So for the first 5 slider adjustments it's very fast! The next 3 to 5 bogs it down so that it's nearly unusable. Then next 3 to 5 adjustment synch it and you're waiting 30 sec. to 2 min. for updates. And that's with the newest version!
There's no way to edit directly. You cannot create your own workflow by dragging a few images off a card and then edit the files. You MUST import everything you intent to touch into a special folder. I personally hate that. If you like that method tho ten it's not a downside.

Aperture's good points:

For simple edits it's very smooth and speedy,
It's stable,
It's perfect for importing, sorting, and rating images. (I think that's it's primary function and they nailed it!)
It has a neat-o GUI.
It has a plug-in architecture that is actually used by 3rd party devs.

table1349 · Sep 23, 2008

Thanks,

Now for the down side. Someone posted some of the new things about the upcoming CS4. Or should that be CS$$$$. I will probably end up with that for final post production. Oh my aching wallet.

usayit · Sep 23, 2008

btw...

Just so you know...

You can download Lightroom 2 and try it out for free for 30 days. Something to consider before you make a decision. Personally, I like LR 2 the best.. although I do still use Capture One for certain cases.

Bifurcator · Sep 24, 2008

Yeah, it's a pretty close call between LR and Cap1. I like Cap1 a little better because the RAW files on initial display just sparkle and usually need very little editing. In the others there seems to be allot less intuitive automation.

But that's the only reason really.