Capture One 4 beta released

For those (like me) still using Capture One, they have released a Beta version of the new version 4. You can look at some of the features and download it here:

http://phaseone.alphaconsult.dk/

Looks promising, with some potentially nice bits like the High Dynamic Range and Variants. Image quality is promised to be even better too.

Will have to download it and take a look...

Dan

Have been trying to download since I received the email... but things are a little clogged right now

As soon as I can download it I'll try it out (and maybe do a mini-review)
EDIT: Looks like the original bandwidth & server issue has been resolved...
Matt

Just downloaded it, but think the yawns from the wife indicate it's a bit late to be trying it out now...

Dan

Have downloaded and installed. Very, very quick first impressions:

* User interface is nice and clean, intuitive and snappy. I like it

* Highlight and shadow control works effectively (seems to do some kind of curve compression at either end. Not sure if it does anything else - like Silkypix's dynamic range controls)

* I'm finding it tricky to get a good image with high ISO. Either the USM is making pock-marks in the image, or it's overly soft. Silkypix's noise reduction is amazing in comparison, IMHO

* Detail of output on low ISO images seems better than C1v3. However, Silkypix can match (and exceed) that detail at the expense of more processing time.

* Speed of conversion is very good, but not that much slower in SPDS

* The curves tool doesn't have the "hold-the-shift-key" option for very fine control. However, it does have a neat feature where it can adjust only the horizontal position (hold the mouse just under the control point and drag), or just the vertical position (hold mouse to the left or right of control point). Easier to use than explain

* Setting files (the .p1s files) are stored as XML. Good idea

It'll be interesting to see how it shapes up nearer release time - certainly worth getting if you already have a C1v3 license. Overall it looks good... but I still prefer SPDS for IQ and control of colour (which I just can't beat in anything else so far). SPDS is only let down by a few points (like no background processing, annoying flashing clip warnings, slow "chunked" display - but that doesn't litter your drive with "proxy" files, curves tool doesn't have the histogram overlayed, slightly confusing manual and UI).

It just makes me want to sit down and write a serious guide to SP (I know... one day, one day If anyone can lend me some spare time... )
Matt

Just installed and had a quick play. Looks good so far, but need to get my head around a few things...

Images do appear more detailed than with v3.7, but at the expense of a little more noise I think, will have to play with the settings.

Levels is a bit odd, with control sliders along the bottom and the top, which work independently. Not sure what's going on there, but it's probably just because it's something I haven't seen before.

Processing time, and start-up/shut-down times much improved (especially shut-down!).

Haven't tried out all the features yet, but so far impressed.

Just need a bigger screen, as menu and thumbnail areas take up more room than before. Keep looking at 22" widescreens but not sure of quality from the approx £250 brigade and can't afford anything else at the mo.

Dan

You can have all of my spare time Matt if you write that guide You did a fine job with the capture one guide which i printed out and it helped me get started. I have been using both Silkypix and Capture One. They are both excellent programs but i lean towards silkypix even if it is a little slow.
Keep up the good work. Your a machine and if i had half the knowledge and know how you do i would be a happy man indeed.

Glad the guides have been useful

Reminds me of The Importance of Being Earnest:
I would say I know far less than half of what I would like to know
Matt