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HDR Darkroom vs Photomatix
brady26
7:19am, 27 November 2009
I got an email from HDR Darkroom to invite me to try the new software, it is user friendly and results are nice comparing with Photomatix. How do you think?
Kulu40
Posted 14 years ago. Edited by Kulu40 (member) 14 years ago
since you have no photos 'available' on your stream and one of the 5 groups you belong to is 'HDR Darkroom' I feel mildly Cynical.
no contacts-joined august 2009-maybe you are just shy....
Plus This is the third 'HDR Darkroom' post in the last nine hours...
no contacts-joined august 2009-maybe you are just shy....
Plus This is the third 'HDR Darkroom' post in the last nine hours...
GrahamSimm
14 years ago
I have used both and prefer Photomatix. Yes the interface is not as nice but the results are better in my opinion plus you seem to get more control over your picture.
Mike Hardisty - It's Time To Say Goodbye
Posted 14 years ago. Edited by Mike Hardisty - It's Time To Say Goodbye (member) 14 years ago
Think I'll stick to PhotoMatix. I didn't find HDR Darkroom particularly good.....
Kulu40
14 years ago
ah! you know, no offence, but developers come and chat usually, and get great feedback from all of us.....
hh96
14 years ago
...i think that it's not that correct just saing "this one is better", there are a lot of beginners which might really think that a "definetly word" had been already said from "the experts".
...i don't think i am that expert to say: "this one is better", moreover if this envolves the work of developers which works on those applications.
For istance, recently i have been using Photoshop's HDR feature again (CS4) i think that there was some improvement compared with CS2.
But probably all in all i'll be back to Photomatix, or, more likely, i'll explore Darkroom... so, let's calm down saing "this one is better": this is one of the most serious HDR group here, so, let's try to be responsible...
...i don't think i am that expert to say: "this one is better", moreover if this envolves the work of developers which works on those applications.
For istance, recently i have been using Photoshop's HDR feature again (CS4) i think that there was some improvement compared with CS2.
But probably all in all i'll be back to Photomatix, or, more likely, i'll explore Darkroom... so, let's calm down saing "this one is better": this is one of the most serious HDR group here, so, let's try to be responsible...
overjoyed zebra [deleted]
14 years ago
I think it is absolutely correct to say one is better than another. It is what "X vs. Y" on the internet is all about.
Public forums and comments in general help to push all developers to improve their products. To suggest you shouldn't say one is better than another is to imply that human beings are not intelligent enough to sift through the information.
30 people say X is best and why, then another 30 people say Y is best and give their reasons. You can sort through all of the information and determine which camp you better relate to, and then, more than likely you will choose the program that best fits your requirements.
Never get rid of the opinions of which is best, but if you want to take a shot at getting rid of all of the anonymous spammers hitting the forums to plug their products then I'm with ya :)
Public forums and comments in general help to push all developers to improve their products. To suggest you shouldn't say one is better than another is to imply that human beings are not intelligent enough to sift through the information.
30 people say X is best and why, then another 30 people say Y is best and give their reasons. You can sort through all of the information and determine which camp you better relate to, and then, more than likely you will choose the program that best fits your requirements.
Never get rid of the opinions of which is best, but if you want to take a shot at getting rid of all of the anonymous spammers hitting the forums to plug their products then I'm with ya :)
Or use both or more if each gives you soemthing the other cant offer.
Eg if A renders jpeg images faster than B and you just use images for flickr, then use A. If B renders tiff faster than A, and you make large high quality prints then perhaps B might be used on images you want to print.
Eg Making sphere/orb images.
I prefer GIMP tools over to Photoshop tools because GIMP can have free rotation of the image before final output while photoshop only allows 90 degree rotational limits.
GIMP stretches and fills the corners of the image great for clouds while photoshop fills the corner with a single colour (black usually).
such as this.
GIMP

Photoshop

But i generally use photoshop for most other work as i find using it easier than GIMP, and you can export from lightroom and reimport.
Eg if A renders jpeg images faster than B and you just use images for flickr, then use A. If B renders tiff faster than A, and you make large high quality prints then perhaps B might be used on images you want to print.
Eg Making sphere/orb images.
I prefer GIMP tools over to Photoshop tools because GIMP can have free rotation of the image before final output while photoshop only allows 90 degree rotational limits.
GIMP stretches and fills the corners of the image great for clouds while photoshop fills the corner with a single colour (black usually).
such as this.
GIMP

Photoshop

But i generally use photoshop for most other work as i find using it easier than GIMP, and you can export from lightroom and reimport.
HDR darkroom is just TOO SLOW, their latest version is better (faster) than previous versions, but they still have some work. As long as they offer an evaluation version that allows us to use it, and see their continual improvement, they can compete - just not right now.
Objective Aesthetics
Posted 14 years ago. Edited by Objective Aesthetics (member) 14 years ago
I dont think hdr darkroom is as good as photomatix, childish cartoonish interface and not enough control for me, i agree though it is very easy to get ok results with it.
nyaskovic
14 years ago
I tried HDR Darkroom extensively, and found it can't handle as broad a spectrum of exposures as Photomatix can. It also doesn't render as sharp as Photomatix. Sometimes it gives outstanding results, but Photomatix is more consistent. My vote goes to PM.
If sharpness is important, you should check out HDR MAX. I did sde by side comparisions. Check out the difference here:
www.flickr.com/photos/wasabi_bob/3820540010/sizes/o/
www.flickr.com/photos/wasabi_bob/3820540010/sizes/o/
leefotok
14 years ago
From this point of my view, HDR Darkroom is much better than Photomatix, the result image shows much more details and vivid color. Photomatix, for me, gives foggy image result, I don't like that. From now on, I will still to HDR Darkroom.
brady26
14 years ago
I have purchased HDR Darkroom and use it for a while. With this software, I become a HDR fan. This software is really easy to use and works muc faster than Photomatix, I don't know why some people said it was slow. I will explore more and will come back for more feedbacks.
cosmosvortex_2006
Posted 14 years ago. Edited by cosmosvortex_2006 (member) 14 years ago
brady26 post some pictures so we can see your work........
Jim Cim
14 years ago
Wasabi Bob - "If sharpness is important, you should check out HDR MAX. I did side by side comparisions."
Those two photos look IDENTICAL to me except for the sharpness. I don't see how two different HDR programs made identical photos in every way.
Those two photos look IDENTICAL to me except for the sharpness. I don't see how two different HDR programs made identical photos in every way.
Kulu40
14 years ago
ah brady and lee, developers pop in here usually and actually talk to us.One thing that they have that you don't, is examples on their photostreams, of results from their software(as well as comparisons)
We are none of us so gullible that we will just blindly take your word for the wonderfulness of your software......
We are none of us so gullible that we will just blindly take your word for the wonderfulness of your software......
cosmosvortex_2006
14 years ago
brady26 and leefotok For your words to have merit and meaning, you must have substance to back them.
Jim Cim
14 years ago
I have the feeling that people that work for, or have an financial interest in HDR Darkroom are feeding these threads.
kyleim97
14 years ago
Photomatix result is very cartoonish and I more prefer the nature results from HDR Darkroom
Dale wants a better screen name... Photography
14 years ago
Photomatix is merely a tool. If you want the result to look "cartoony" then it will do so. If you want a more natural look it can do that too.