DXO Optics Pro 9 free download

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Unfortunately the free download is several years old, so unless you use a several years old camera, it won't do you any good for raw processing. For example, none of the D7XXX cameras are supported.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I don't know if it's compatible with your camera, I'm pointing out the free version is not "several years old"; it's a few years at the absolute most.

I based my "several years comment" on the complete lack of D7XXX coverage in the list of compatible cameras. Since the list is wrong in that the program supports D7100, then I will agree it is NOT as old as thought, but still apparently too old to be of use to a lot of people.
 
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Zeke_M

Senior Member
It shows both my cameras and most of the lens farm.
Almost all my gear is/was last years gear. Last years software looks like it will work fine for me. YMMV.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I use Photoshop CS6 and Nik Filters for most of my post processing. I also have capture NX-D and ViewNX-i. Does the DXO Optics Pro really offer any clear cut advantages over what I have?

Since this thread is not generating much interest, I think not.














capture
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I use Photoshop CS6 and Nik Filters for most of my post processing. I also have capture NX-D and ViewNX-i. Does the DXO Optics Pro really offer any clear cut advantages over what I have?

Since this thread is not generating much interest, I think not.
Well I'm using v11.3 (via the free, 30-day trial) and it does quite a bit. Optics Pro reads the EXIF data of your images and applies an entire array of corrections based not only on the lens that used, but on the lens/body combination. It automatically corrects distortion, optimizes highlight and shadow detail, corrects white balance and color and does a great job correcting CA and lens falloff. All automatically! The noise reduction and sharpening seem very good so far, but I say that without having used them extensively.

What's killing me is how shockingly good the default corrections are 99% of the time and without me needing to do anything. There's a "Compare" button so I can see exactly what corrections are being applied as opposed to the original image and I always have full manual control over everything Optics Pro does should I decide I don't like something.

It could definitely be argued Optics Pro isn't doing anything that can't be done in other applications (assuming you really know what you're doing in the first place) but dear gawd... What a time saver! I can definitely see Optics Pro replacing Camera Raw as my front-end processor.
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Free = yes = downloaded and installed today.
Next - figure this one out.

Looks like a good one.
for extra fun also installed on my mini-ASUS we'll see how that flies.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Just to follow up, I've been using Optics Pro 11 for a while now. Getting really comfortable with the DxO interface took a while but I'm comfortable with it now and have only touched ACR (in "filter" mode via Photoshop) a few times.

I think the three Big Things in Optics Pro that have all but eliminated processing in Camera Raw are these: The default noise reduction in Optics Pro is jaw-droppingly good, Prime Noise Reduction is almost mind blowing. The distortion correction, based on a profile that considers both camera AND lens used to take each shot, is excellent. The ability to dynamically "Spot Meter" a shot during post, and DxO's Smart Lighting in general, is amazing.

My basic workflow has always been boiled down to: Exposure, Color, Artistic Effects. I've gone from several minutes of work-time in ACR (Steps 1 and 2) to several seconds of work-time in Optics Pro before exporting to PS for Step 3.

In short, Optics Pro has greatly reduced a lot of the drudgery of post processing for me.
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Just to follow up, I've been using Optics Pro 11 for a while now. Getting really comfortable with the DxO interface took a while but I'm comfortable with it now and have only touched ACR (in "filter" mode via Photoshop) a few times. ....
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So - just started to try out this new DxO Optics Pro 9 I downloaded.

There is a lot there.

And it isn't as intuitive as one might hope - going to need to invest some learnin' time.
But glad to hear it pays off.

We'll see if I can get to my comfort zone with this new bit of software.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
And it isn't as intuitive as one might hope - going to need to invest some learnin' time.
I agree the interface is less than intuitive...

And while I don't know if you're interested there are several tutorials on the DxO website, as well as on YouTube, for most versions of Optics Pro. Watching a few really helped flatten the learning curve.
 
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I agree the interface is less that intuitive...

And while I don't know if you're interested there are several tutorials on the DxO website, as well as on YouTube, for most versions of Optics Pro. Watching a few really helped flatten the learning curve.
.

Will have to check these out - YouTubey learning is the new way.

But like my Papa used to say - "If at first you don't succeed - try reading the instructions"
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
i think it's easier to use than Capture 1 Pro.
Agreed. Capture 1 is some awesome software, I like it's raw conversion better than anything else I've tried in fact. I see C1P as a Photoshop alternative though and, frankly, I'm just too time-and-learning invested in Photoshop to start crafting an entirely new C1P-based workflow, which is really the only reason I'm not using it. If that wasn't the case, if I was just getting started with post-processing, or hadn't yet gotten knee-deep in Photoshop, I'd definitely be a C1P sorta guy.
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