Which RAW converter do you prefer?

You can batch process multiple RAWs in PSE8 - but it's a bit limited. You can specify input and output directories, resizing parameters and whether you want standard "quick fix" processing such as Auto-levels, Auto-contrast and sharpening.

I don't know how elegantly or otherwise LR implements batch processing - but the free RawTherapee does too (and a LOT better than PSE8 ). You start RawTherapee, navigate to the RAW directory in its file manager, select the RAWs that you want to process. You can make a very wide range of adjustments singly and add to the processing queue - or as a group. After adding to the queue, you can execute the queue when you wish to. I really must put some time aside for learning RawTherapee properly - it looks amazingly good (for the price?)

Andrew

There's no queue with LR, you just select the pics in the filmstrip and do it.

This one of those impossible questions, because every body has their own preferences. It`s a bit like asking whats the best make of car......
Since I bought my first DSLR the strangely named but brilliant *ist DS, I have tried:
Bibble pro/ Aftershot
Capture One Pro
DxO Optics Pro
Lightroom
ACR
Lightzone
Photivo
Pentax Photo Lab
And for some reason I keep coming back to Silkypix Pro. Pentax say that the Silkypix conversion engine gives the best Colour rendition with Pentax cameras and thats why they used the Silkypix engine to make their own propriety software supplied with Pentax Cameras. Unfortunately they stuffed it up completely.( they used the Silkypix v.2.0)- Silky pix are up to v.5.0 now) Photivo produces absolutely brilliant results but have the least intuitive interface ever.
Simmo

I'm a lazy sod, so idle that I have the camera doing all the batch processing for me. Most batch adjustment are handled by working with white balance, custom image, and other menu functions in situ. I am happy enough with the outcome and put my efforts into photo composition rather than post processing.

Anticipating the day when I get out of bed early enough to do processing on computer, I always now have the camera set to RAW + Jpg. I have had some fun working with Silkypix and other free software, but I know that when that glorious retirement day arrives, I will treat myself to Lightroom and Photoshop and inject new life into raw files from an earlier time of my life. The truth is that I really do wish I hade more time on my hands to get involved in post processing now rather than to have to wait for a later life.

Good to read all the information in the above posts, it's very thought provoking and helpful. I also want to express my appreciation to Nigel McGregor for his excellent Mini Guide To Pentax Digital Camera Utility on link

Thanks all, Ronnie.

Same here- I find Nigel's guide really helpful and useful. I am now happily doing the RAW conversion stage with PDCU, and then having fun with the TIFFs in PS Elements (on the subject of which I am just waiting for the upgrade to version 11 to arrive- couldn't resist splashing the cash for it, confident that it'll make all my pics much better)

Thanks Ronniemac & duncanM - I'm glad to hear the Mini Guide has been useful in a practical sense. I always intended the guide to evolve, both with new areas to cover in the current program, and any new features that might creep in (I keep hoping we might get some more functions from the full priced Silkypix for free).

Keep an eye out, as I'll be adding some sections over time, probably as new posts in the thread initially and as a PDF. PeterKr has experience of using multiple monitors, so I'll work with him to cover that, as well as cropping / rotating. Also, I am aware that some people like to process multiple images, sort of Batch processing, so I'd like to talk about what PDCU can do for that as well.