Finally! Someone with some influence actually giving PR the credit it deserves… Tired of hearing how great Topaz PAI is. PR far surpasses it and the other options, and it’s been that way for years now. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for this great video! I've been using DxO PureRaw v3 (updated to v4) since I bought my ZV-E10 with the crop sensor - high ISO issue. This lens correction mode, especially the lens softness correction, is outstanding. My first lenses had DxO modules, but when it came to lens optimization and noise reduction, the full DxO PhotoLab6 (current PhotoLab7) was the better choice. Therefore, my workflow has changed in the last few months from DxO Plugin and LrC to DxO PhotoLab+DxO PureRaw. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to purchase a Sigma 60-600 DG DN OS to replace my Tamron 150-500. However, there is no DxO module for the Sigma lens on an a6700. In DxOPhotoLab7 I created a distortion correction and a "Unsharp mask"-setting combined with DeepPrimeXD, which appears to be basically the same algorithm that works behind the lens softness setting in DxO PureRaw4. So this is a workaround for all people with lenses without a DxO module.
I have used PR, PR2 and currently use PR3. Should I seriously consider purchasing PR4. At present I batch my low light files using a PC with 64gb RAM, and am happy with the speed of processing and final result. Cheers from Australia.
Hi Bruce, thanks for the comment. I’m coming into the PR ecosystem directly with version 4. I haven’t used any of the others so I can’t comment on whether the upgrade is worth it. Perhaps Download the trial version and see what the results are like compared to PR3. I would be very interested to hear, so if you do compare, please drop a reply here with your findings.
A good review Mark, thanks. I have been using PR3 and find the fact it generates a larger DNG file to the original CR3 raw file an advantage. I often photograph birds that are some distance away. The larger DNG file allows me to crop in more than I could with the original RAW file. I can see PR 4 has some additional controls in the interface allowing more personal control - so it’s upgrade time for me.
I too like having more information to work with on the new DNG file. I’m glad my review has given you some insight into the new version. Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to share your experience with the software.
@@MarkDumbleton you're welcome. When I watched the video I didn't even see that I'm the subscriber who recommended DXO 🙈🙉🙊 I must say Pure Raw 4 looks packed with AMAZING features! The force details feature looks like it creates artifacts in some places, similar to what Topaz Sharpen sometimes does (depending on the sharpening model that you use)
I agree about the force details being similar to what Topaz does. I’m not a fan of that. But the DENOISE is excellent and I love the lens softness a lot!
Thanks mark. I have been on the fence about DXO PR, but I think you have sold me. I find Topaz AI tends to over-sharpen my raw files, so I stick with Lightroom Classic for sharpening. I will be interested to see how it does with batch processing.
Hi Garnet! I honestly believe DxO is better, and it’s much simpler and quicker to use. I also find Topaz creates a lot of artifacts and often doesn’t perform a very uniform job across the entire image. I’ll do some batch tests and reply with my findings.
Nice review, I use these software from version 2 in combination with Lightroom and I very satisfied. The only downside is that I need to jump to these sw for every photo and for the bigger file created after the fact. Thank you again.
Thanks for the comment. I see in PR4 there is an option inside Lightroom to process the file without even needing to leave Lightroom. If you know what settings you use the majority of the time, it can be done using the second option under the plugin extras called “process instantly with DxO PureRaw 4”
Super Mark. Maybe one day I might be able to get this. It has taken me ages to find out how "notifications" work...... finally did it. Now I will get all your tutorials. Ps.... you don't know how you have helped me in shooting and processing my photos.... even my macro mushrooms (used your techniques on editing) .... which I managed yesterday. Thank you.
Hey Carol, thanks for the comment. Glad you managed to figure out the notifications 😊 I’m super happy to hear that the vids have helped you with your processing!
Great review! However in my trail version the software places the DNG file not beside the original in Lightroom but in a collection for PR 4. Have I done something wrong?
Before exporting to PureRaw 4 I have turned off lens corrections, as they say not to duplicate if doing the same in PureRaw 4, but can't find if I should change the Lightroom sharpening to 0 before exporting, as it is set at 40 automatically. What are your thoughts? Thanks for any help you can provide. Really enjoy learning from your videos.
Hi Ian. PureRaw 4 looks only at the actual Raw file that’s on your hard drive, it ignores anything you have done with Lightroom. So it doesn’t matter what you do to it in Lightroom. Try this… create an absurd edit to a photo, then open it in PureRaw4. You’ll see in the preview in the PR window the absurd edit hasn’t been applied and you’re only dealing with the raw file data. Hope that makes sense 😊 if you do apply edits to the original file and at the end of the workflow go into PR, simply copy and paste the settings from the original file to the new dng.
I only enable CA correction. I don’t apply any lens corrections, unless it’s a wide lens and the horizon is distorted. When you stretch pixels by correcting distortion, you lose a tiny bit of sharpness, so I always advise to never correct for distortion unless something looks strange.
Thanks for the comment. I haven’t done any batches yet, but according to other reviews it does a good job. I’ll test it out and perhaps make a follow up video, or comment here with my findings.
Hi Mark, thank you for all the tutorials they really help. If you use DxO PureRAW4 does it mean you do not use Topaz anymore? Regards Louis from Satara
Hey Louis, good to hear from you. Hope the bush is treating you well! To be honest I’ve stopped using Topaz. I found that I was avoiding using it because it’s too cumbersome for me. There are too many options and I’ve also found the results are not as good as I am getting now from Pure Raw 4. Pure Raw 4 is so much easier to use, controls are way simpler and I’m able to get through the raw Denoise / sharpen part much quicker and I don’t avoid it now. Topaz delivers good results, if you’re prepared to tweak the settings and spend the time. But for me, I’m getting better results (less artifacts) using PR4 and it’s way quicker.
Mark, thanks for the prompt reply. I normally denoise before processing and sharpen when complete. So this means you denoise and sharpen before processing?
I now Denoise the file and apply the lens softness adjustment before editing. The lens softness basically tightens up the details. I then will add sharpening in Lightroom after doing the edits. I’m bringing out a video this coming Sunday showing my new full workflow implementing PR4.
This is the first time I hear about this plug in. What are your thoughts on Topaz? I’ve see that mentioned also from “influencers”, I’ve been thinking about getting it but I appreciate your review and breakdown.
Thanks so much for the comment and for watching. Topaz gets decent results, but it’s a lot more cumbersome to use because of the plethora of options. If you’re prepared to spend time tweaking a whole host of options then it can produce satisfactory results. I find Pure Raw4 to be way simpler, and the results I’m getting are honestly better. Files are cleaner in terms of less artifacts and the lens softness setting in PR4 is excellent. I can accomplish exactly what I need using PR4 in less than a minute, as opposed to spending 5+ minutes in Topaz tweaking everything. That’s a lot of time when you have plenty files to edit.
Hi Mark, Just need your opinion. I am able to get an almost new but out of warranty Nikon 500mm F4 FL ED (Feb 2022 purchase) for 4210 USD and if I trade in my Nikon Z 400mm f4.5, i will get the 500mm f4 for 2410 USD. Is it worth it to change from the 400mm f4.5 to 500mm f4 & use it on Z8 with an Ftz ii adaptor. For the wide end I have the 70-200mm f2.8 & 1.4 Tc.
Thanks for the comment. To be honest, I would keep the 400 f4.5. That is new glass and to me, a better option. I would rather spend the extra money on getting a 1.4x converter for the 400 for extra reach. I don’t advise going back to f-mount glass on the new Z cameras. That 400 f4.5 is a beauty!
@@MarkDumbleton ok thank you, I already have the Z 1.4 Tc & Z 70-200mm f2.8. But the problem here in India is that there is no time to attach a teleconverter as tiger sightings 95% of time usually last only a few minutes and they are constantly moving and jungles are very dense. So sometimes the 400mm becomes a bit short also. There is lots of dust. So, I was expecting to get a thinner depth of field (more separation) & subject isolation. This is the main reason but I am not sure how big of a difference it would be. This problem doesn't happen in places like the Maasai Mara. Another option I was thinking of getting the 180-600mm for better versatility & reach and also keep the 400mm f4.5.
I would definitely say the 180-600 and 400 f4.5 will be way better than only a 500 f4 F-mount with ftz adapter. I use the 180-600 100% of the time for my wildlife stuff, and can honestly say it performs super well. Yes depth of field won’t be as shallow as 500f4 for super blurred backgrounds, but the versatility for me is more important than having f4. I had a Lion charge a Zebra, right in front of me, and I only had a 500mm lens. I didn’t get any shots because the action was too close to capture it with a 500mm. If I had the 180-600 then, I would have had insane photos of a Lion on the back of a Zebra. So versatility wins every time for me!
@@MarkDumbleton Yes I totally agree about the versatility specially for safaris as you are always locked in a safari vehicle. Thanks a lot & waiting for more on field videos 🙏
Hi Mark, I was using dxopure raw4 with LRC, but then I noticed that after processing file in pure raw, when exported to LRC then the sliders in basic panel changed to Recovery, brightness etc instead of highlight, shadows, black and white. I use canon R7. Can you please guide me to resolve this issue? Thanks
Hi, thanks for the comment. All you need to do is click the little lightning bolt underneath the histogram in the develop panel, and choose the latest process version available with the version of Lightroom you have. Let me know if it works.
I am doing the free trial now, however there is one very annoying problem that DXO don't seem to have fixed even from earlier versions, when I open light box, the window is too wide to fit my 16" screen! anybody managed to fix this?
Finally! Someone with some influence actually giving PR the credit it deserves… Tired of hearing how great Topaz PAI is. PR far surpasses it and the other options, and it’s been that way for years now. Thanks for the video!
Thanks Keith, I appreciate that. I definitely believe PR4 is top of the pile when it comes to Denoise. I absolutely love the lens softness correction!
Thanks for this great video! I've been using DxO PureRaw v3 (updated to v4) since I bought my ZV-E10 with the crop sensor - high ISO issue. This lens correction mode, especially the lens softness correction, is outstanding. My first lenses had DxO modules, but when it came to lens optimization and noise reduction, the full DxO PhotoLab6 (current PhotoLab7) was the better choice. Therefore, my workflow has changed in the last few months from DxO Plugin and LrC to DxO PhotoLab+DxO PureRaw. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to purchase a Sigma 60-600 DG DN OS to replace my Tamron 150-500. However, there is no DxO module for the Sigma lens on an a6700. In DxOPhotoLab7 I created a distortion correction and a "Unsharp mask"-setting combined with DeepPrimeXD, which appears to be basically the same algorithm that works behind the lens softness setting in DxO PureRaw4. So this is a workaround for all people with lenses without a DxO module.
Thanks for letting us know about your experience with the software 🙏🏻
You should be gifted a lifetime license from DxO for this awesome video, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.
Haha thanks so much 😊 I’ve got a 5 month review of the software coming soon.
I’ve taken the leap from the iPad to MacBook. My 16” MacBook Pro arrives tomorrow morning and I’ll definitely give this a bash. Thanks Mark
Good purchase 🙌🏻
Thanks, Mark, I have now added the software which I had previously fallen out with, it seems improved and a little faster, both bonuses 👍🏼
Excellent to hear, glad it’s faster! That always helps 😊 thanks for watching and for the comment!
I have used PR, PR2 and currently use PR3. Should I seriously consider purchasing PR4. At present I batch my low light files using a PC with 64gb RAM, and am happy with the speed of processing and final result. Cheers from Australia.
Hi Bruce, thanks for the comment. I’m coming into the PR ecosystem directly with version 4. I haven’t used any of the others so I can’t comment on whether the upgrade is worth it. Perhaps Download the trial version and see what the results are like compared to PR3. I would be very interested to hear, so if you do compare, please drop a reply here with your findings.
A good review Mark, thanks. I have been using PR3 and find the fact it generates a larger DNG file to the original CR3 raw file an advantage. I often photograph birds that are some distance away. The larger DNG file allows me to crop in more than I could with the original RAW file.
I can see PR 4 has some additional controls in the interface allowing more personal control - so it’s upgrade time for me.
I too like having more information to work with on the new DNG file. I’m glad my review has given you some insight into the new version. Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to share your experience with the software.
Very well demonstrated.
Thanks so much! I appreciate that a lot!
Ja DXO Pure Raw is a game changer!
I'm still using V2 and over the last week or so have seriously given upgrading to V4 some thought
Thanks for recommending it to me 😊 Interested to hear your thoughts if you do upgrade from v2.
@@MarkDumbleton you're welcome. When I watched the video I didn't even see that I'm the subscriber who recommended DXO 🙈🙉🙊
I must say Pure Raw 4 looks packed with AMAZING features! The force details feature looks like it creates artifacts in some places, similar to what Topaz Sharpen sometimes does (depending on the sharpening model that you use)
I agree about the force details being similar to what Topaz does. I’m not a fan of that. But the DENOISE is excellent and I love the lens softness a lot!
Thanks mark. I have been on the fence about DXO PR, but I think you have sold me. I find Topaz AI tends to over-sharpen my raw files, so I stick with Lightroom Classic for sharpening. I will be interested to see how it does with batch processing.
Hi Garnet! I honestly believe DxO is better, and it’s much simpler and quicker to use. I also find Topaz creates a lot of artifacts and often doesn’t perform a very uniform job across the entire image. I’ll do some batch tests and reply with my findings.
Nice review, I use these software from version 2 in combination with Lightroom and I very satisfied. The only downside is that I need to jump to these sw for every photo and for the bigger file created after the fact.
Thank you again.
Thanks for the comment. I see in PR4 there is an option inside Lightroom to process the file without even needing to leave Lightroom. If you know what settings you use the majority of the time, it can be done using the second option under the plugin extras called “process instantly with DxO PureRaw 4”
Great video Mark and thanks for sharing. Looks like amazing software.
Thanks so much Kobus! Appreciate the message!
Excellent review and photos 👍
Thanks a lot Martin! Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Super Mark. Maybe one day I might be able to get this. It has taken me ages to find out how "notifications" work...... finally did it. Now I will get all your tutorials. Ps.... you don't know how you have helped me in shooting and processing my photos.... even my macro mushrooms (used your techniques on editing) .... which I managed yesterday. Thank you.
Hey Carol, thanks for the comment. Glad you managed to figure out the notifications 😊 I’m super happy to hear that the vids have helped you with your processing!
Thanks Dumbledore, always magically full of knowledge.
Thanks so much for the comment. Haha not the first time I’ve been called Dumbledore 😂
Great review! However in my trail version the software places the DNG file not beside the original in Lightroom but in a collection for PR 4. Have I done something wrong?
Hi, it does place it in a collection, but go to the folder where your original file is, and the new dng will be there 😊
DXO is a great product - Game changer really
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Makes me even more confident of my choice.
Before exporting to PureRaw 4 I have turned off lens corrections, as they say not to duplicate if doing the same in PureRaw 4, but can't find if I should change the Lightroom sharpening to 0 before exporting, as it is set at 40 automatically. What are your thoughts? Thanks for any help you can provide. Really enjoy learning from your videos.
Hi Ian. PureRaw 4 looks only at the actual Raw file that’s on your hard drive, it ignores anything you have done with Lightroom. So it doesn’t matter what you do to it in Lightroom. Try this… create an absurd edit to a photo, then open it in PureRaw4. You’ll see in the preview in the PR window the absurd edit hasn’t been applied and you’re only dealing with the raw file data. Hope that makes sense 😊 if you do apply edits to the original file and at the end of the workflow go into PR, simply copy and paste the settings from the original file to the new dng.
do you still enable the lens correction and CA in lightroom after using DxO?
I only enable CA correction. I don’t apply any lens corrections, unless it’s a wide lens and the horizon is distorted. When you stretch pixels by correcting distortion, you lose a tiny bit of sharpness, so I always advise to never correct for distortion unless something looks strange.
Just purchased it, thank you!
Awesome! Thank you so much! I know you’re going to love it!
Nice review. I have a license DXO PL that I use for batch denoising and then import into LR. How is Raw with doing a batch instead of just one by one?
Thanks for the comment. I haven’t done any batches yet, but according to other reviews it does a good job. I’ll test it out and perhaps make a follow up video, or comment here with my findings.
Hi Mark, thank you for all the tutorials they really help. If you use DxO PureRAW4 does it mean you do not use Topaz anymore? Regards Louis from Satara
Hey Louis, good to hear from you. Hope the bush is treating you well! To be honest I’ve stopped using Topaz. I found that I was avoiding using it because it’s too cumbersome for me. There are too many options and I’ve also found the results are not as good as I am getting now from Pure Raw 4. Pure Raw 4 is so much easier to use, controls are way simpler and I’m able to get through the raw Denoise / sharpen part much quicker and I don’t avoid it now. Topaz delivers good results, if you’re prepared to tweak the settings and spend the time. But for me, I’m getting better results (less artifacts) using PR4 and it’s way quicker.
Mark, thanks for the prompt reply. I normally denoise before processing and sharpen when complete. So this means you denoise and sharpen before processing?
I now Denoise the file and apply the lens softness adjustment before editing. The lens softness basically tightens up the details. I then will add sharpening in Lightroom after doing the edits. I’m bringing out a video this coming Sunday showing my new full workflow implementing PR4.
Thanx Mark
This is the first time I hear about this plug in.
What are your thoughts on Topaz?
I’ve see that mentioned also from “influencers”, I’ve been thinking about getting it but I appreciate your review and breakdown.
Thanks so much for the comment and for watching. Topaz gets decent results, but it’s a lot more cumbersome to use because of the plethora of options. If you’re prepared to spend time tweaking a whole host of options then it can produce satisfactory results. I find Pure Raw4 to be way simpler, and the results I’m getting are honestly better. Files are cleaner in terms of less artifacts and the lens softness setting in PR4 is excellent. I can accomplish exactly what I need using PR4 in less than a minute, as opposed to spending 5+ minutes in Topaz tweaking everything. That’s a lot of time when you have plenty files to edit.
Hi Mark, Just need your opinion.
I am able to get an almost new but out of warranty Nikon 500mm F4 FL ED (Feb 2022 purchase) for 4210 USD and if I trade in my Nikon Z 400mm f4.5, i will get the 500mm f4 for 2410 USD.
Is it worth it to change from the 400mm f4.5 to 500mm f4 & use it on Z8 with an Ftz ii adaptor.
For the wide end I have the 70-200mm f2.8 & 1.4 Tc.
Thanks for the comment. To be honest, I would keep the 400 f4.5. That is new glass and to me, a better option. I would rather spend the extra money on getting a 1.4x converter for the 400 for extra reach. I don’t advise going back to f-mount glass on the new Z cameras. That 400 f4.5 is a beauty!
@@MarkDumbleton ok thank you, I already have the Z 1.4 Tc & Z 70-200mm f2.8.
But the problem here in India is that there is no time to attach a teleconverter as tiger sightings 95% of time usually last only a few minutes and they are constantly moving and jungles are very dense. So sometimes the 400mm becomes a bit short also. There is lots of dust.
So, I was expecting to get a thinner depth of field (more separation) & subject isolation. This is the main reason but I am not sure how big of a difference it would be.
This problem doesn't happen in places like the Maasai Mara.
Another option I was thinking of getting the 180-600mm for better versatility & reach and also keep the 400mm f4.5.
I would definitely say the 180-600 and 400 f4.5 will be way better than only a 500 f4 F-mount with ftz adapter. I use the 180-600 100% of the time for my wildlife stuff, and can honestly say it performs super well. Yes depth of field won’t be as shallow as 500f4 for super blurred backgrounds, but the versatility for me is more important than having f4. I had a Lion charge a Zebra, right in front of me, and I only had a 500mm lens. I didn’t get any shots because the action was too close to capture it with a 500mm. If I had the 180-600 then, I would have had insane photos of a Lion on the back of a Zebra. So versatility wins every time for me!
@@MarkDumbleton Yes I totally agree about the versatility specially for safaris as you are always locked in a safari vehicle.
Thanks a lot & waiting for more on field videos 🙏
@@stripes_in_raw Thanks! Got some new trips coming up soon 😀
Hi Mark, I was using dxopure raw4 with LRC, but then I noticed that after processing file in pure raw, when exported to LRC then the sliders in basic panel changed to Recovery, brightness etc instead of highlight, shadows, black and white. I use canon R7. Can you please guide me to resolve this issue? Thanks
Hi, thanks for the comment. All you need to do is click the little lightning bolt underneath the histogram in the develop panel, and choose the latest process version available with the version of Lightroom you have. Let me know if it works.
Thanks Mark, I shall try and let you know
Mark thank you so much. Your advice worked perfectly.
@@crbhagwat excellent glad it worked.
I am doing the free trial now, however there is one very annoying problem that DXO don't seem to have fixed even from earlier versions, when I open light box, the window is too wide to fit my 16" screen! anybody managed to fix this?
That’s quite strange. I have not come across that issue. If anyone has had the same issue and found a fix, please drop a comment below 🙏🏻
I clicked the default only.
Let me know if you found the new DNG file 😊
@@MarkDumbleton Will do when I get home.
Thank you Mark. I found the files.