John_Nevill said:
I totally agree with your findings, and yes one could do the same in RSP, silkypix etc, but I must add that there are noticeable differences in how each render engine interprets RAW data. Some exhibit patterning and mottling in their rendering algorithms, while others dont.
Hi John,
I totally agree. I didn't mean to imply that choice of RC's doesn't matter, just that a lot of attributed differences of color, skin-tone etc. are in fact due to differences in default tonality treatment, which is where RC's most obviously differ re image appearance.
Similarly, claimed signifancant differences in shadow detail or highlight detail and recovery are also mostly due to different default tonality.
However, as you point out, there are often significant differences in how RC's handle shadow noise, aliasing (tight patterning), clipped highlight channels etc. I have some (rather outdated but relevant on principle) examples of this on my website.
In addition, the RC's choice (or choices) of default tonality treatment can also make it easier or harder to achieve the results you desire, and the answer is not necessarily the same for everyone varying with your total workflow and nature of images you shoot, and even brand/model of camera.
The toolset, workflow, and adjustment facility of RC's are equally important criteria.
- DL