Fujifilm X-TRANS RAW Converters and annoyances

This is NOT a review, just some short comments about the most important programs that can handle X-Trans raw files.

Updated on April 22th, 2019

INTRODUCTION

X-Trans raw files are a pain to process. Really.

The complicated nature of its non-standard demosaic algorithm is a real nightmare for both users and developers. 

From the user side, there are just a few programs that are able to extract the full potential of this new class of color matrix, and all of them, besides the awfully complicated RawTherapee and Fuji's OEM version of Silkypix are paid and usually expensive.

Things aren't different from the developer's point of view. There is almost no technical information about the mathematical methods for the decoding process, and many of the amazing sharpen and noise reduction algorithms used by well-known programs just can't cope with nothing else than the traditional Bayer pattern. That's why, for example, DxO just gave up on any non-Bayer sensors.

These are my own opinions based on my experience and needs. Of course, opinions can vary from people to people.

The most practical options on the market due this day are:

IRIDIENT DEVELOPER

It's a very powerful software and probably the best one in terms of extracting the highest detail from the raw files.  Kudos to the author for the excellent job done.

The Iridient Reveal sharpening algorithm is amazing but you need to learn how to use it by experimentation, otherwise, it will look oversharpened very easily and also with strange artifacts.

Same for the noise reduction. The trick is to balance sharpening and noise reduction.

Highlight and shadow recovery are also very powerful. 

It has all the basic stuff you may need from a raw converter. When correctly used, it's capable of amazing results.

Pros:

• Fair price
• Excellent output
• Excellent customer service

Cons:

• Horrible interface
• Bad usability
• Rather slow
• Mac Only

FUJIFILM RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 2.0 (OEM SILKYPIX)

Not recommended. It's slow like continental drift and there are better free options. Forget about it and skip to version 3.0.

FUJIFILM RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 (OEM SILKYPIX)

Fuji released the new Fujifilm Raw File Converter EX 3.0 based on Silkypix 8 and it can be downloaded here

This new version is far more capable than the previous one and it's a very powerful option.

SILKYPIX 8 and Above

Silkypix 8 Pro is a solid program. It's a very complete digital laboratory with tons of features. It's my personal pick besides all annoyances.

Do yourself a favor and READ the manual. Lots of important features and controls aren't obvious in the interface.

Pros:

• Extremely good sharpening and noise algorithms
• Extremely accurate Fuji film profiles
• Excellent for large batch processing
• Can be easily upgraded for a fair cost
• Mac and Windows

Cons:

• Pricey, about USD 250 for the full retail version
• Bizarre menu translations. Some are very confusing.
• Not so good customer support
• Slowwwwwwww

Bottom line:

They offer upgrades for several OEM and previous versions for a reasonable price, from $250 to $100 in some cases and worths a look.

For example, if you have a Panasonic camera, it probably came with a stripped down OEM version and it's possible to upgrade by something like 50% less than the full retail price.

It worths checking the Fujifilm Raw Converter EX 3.0 , it's not the latest Silkypix but very usable for Fuji Users.

RawTherapee

It's free, fast, well documented BUT it's by far the most complicated image processing program I've ever used in my life.

The sharpening and noise reduction functions are overwhelming and extremely comprehensive. Curves, color and histogram operations unfold on many, many variations and options enough to make you scream when you see them for the first time.

The results can be awesome if you don't go nuts using it.

IF you want to try it, my suggestion is to forget about all other image processing software during this period and dedicate yourself to really try to learn it. It will take time to learn it properly.

Pros: 

• Can deliver stunning results. Once mastered it's unbeatable.
• Sharpening functions are fantastic
• The most sophisticated denoise tools set
• Stunning set of features
• There are really good HaldCLUT film simulation profiles for it.
• Mac, Windows and Linux
• It's freeware

Cons:

• Extremely complex with a very steep learning curve
• You need to be cross between a Zen monk and an Image Scientist to master it. Not kidding. 

CAPTURE ONE FOR FUJI (Express)

In October 2018, Phase One released two cheaper versions of their Capture One, specific for Fuji owners. There are two versions, a free "Express" and a paid "Pro". 

Both have the same raw engine but the Pro version has more features, like layers, retouching tools and tethering. If you don't need these features and use another program like Affinity Photo or something else, do yourself a favor and stick with the Express version. 

Don't forget to install the ICC profiles for the film simulation modes.

The results are pretty nice and fast.

Pros

• Excellent x-trans raw conversion
• Fast
• Free
• Mac and Windows

Cons

• Forces to import images to its library. Annoying.
• Free version works just in catalog mode, not in sessions
• No after/before image comparison can be easily done. You have to make a "version" manually and then compare with whatever you want. This is ridiculous.

There is a "professional" version of C1 for Fuji, perpetual or by subscription, both are way too expensive. If you want to spend money, go for Silkypix. 

Update:

I gave up on it. I don't like the way its catalog mode work.

BE CAREFUL when deleting images from the catalog. Depending on the situation it will delete the files on disk !

It's a pain to completely uninstall it. I recommend using some sort of uninstall program like Revo (Windows) or AppCleaner (Mac) 

AFFINITY PHOTO

This was a surprise. Its raw engine is still under development but I got some interesting results from it with x-trans files. I have to do some more experiments before giving it an honest rating.

A very solid alternative to Lightroom.

Pros

• It's FAST and good.
• Compatible with Nik collection, DxO Film Pack and Noiseware Professional plugins for Photoshop.
• Excellent value
• Extremely powerful
• Mac and Windows

Cons:

• No film profiles
• No image browser/navigator 

Apple Aperture

If you're an Apple user and still have Aperture installed and updated, incredibly, it is capable of very good results, pairing even with Iridient. Images tend to have less noise. You need to add the raw fine tuning control.

The raw engine is OS dependent so it will support all cameras supported by Apple Raw Engine. The updates are OS updates, not Aperture's.

For film simulation, I use DxO Film pack Aperture plugin. The response is a bit different than Silkypix's but I'm very pleased with it.

 

Pros

• Very nice final look with good colors and well-controlled sharpness.
• Compatible with Nik collection, DxO Film Pack and Noiseware Professional plugins for Aperture
• Fast
• Excellent image browser/navigator
• Excellent DAM

Cons

• End of life product. No more updates.
• Mac only
• May stop working someday due to OS version incompatibility
• No Fuji film profiles

If you're a Mac user, my advice is to keep it while you can and avoid updating the OS every time Apple tells you to do. I have a spare bootable OSX High Sierra and Aperture on an external hard disk just in case.

Still working in OSX Mojave.

RAW Power (Personal Pick)

If you have a Mac and like simple programs, RAW Power, from the former Aperture developer (the person himself) does a very decent job. It's essentially a nice front end to the internal operating system raw engine from Apple. 

If you're a Mac user and don't have Aperture, I would recommend RAW Power as an extension to Apple Photos or as a stand-alone program

Needs to evolve but it's cheap and honest and can be used as a Photos extension.

Pros:

• Good X-Trans conversion
• Reasonably fast
• Excellent support

Cons:

• Mac only

Bottom line: It's still evolving, but I have the impression that it will surprise everyone.

Luminar 2018

Also, a decent raw converter that can deal well with the tricky X-Trans files.
Still evolving.

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Version 3 now has a file browser/navigator
• Reasonably fast
• Lots of features
• Good customer support
• Mac and Windows
• Support for Fuji film simulation by using 3rd party 3DLUTs
• It's fast

Cons:

• Too many presets, some redundant filters, but the beginners will love them
• A bit clumsy sometimes, specially the catalog.
• The image file navigator doesn't show the file names !!! What ???
• VERY BUGGED
• SLOW

ON1

It's a good surprise for handling X-Trans files and has a decent file browser and friendly to sequential processing. Worths looking. I need to do some more tests, so, for now I won't comment about it, but I liked what I saw.

Pros

• Fast
• Good interface
• Mac and Windows

CAPTURE ONE and LIGHTROOM

Capture one is a solid option, but a bit pointless for a X-Trans camera. It handles X-Trans files reasonably well, but there are better options for less than the $300 they ask for it.

The only reason I can imagine buying C1 it is IF you're a very heavy C1 Media Pro user AND also use a Canon or Nikon camera in tethering mode otherwise is a complete waste of money. I've tried it by 60 days in early 2018 and I was not convinced to pay $300 for it.

But from time to time, Phase One offers discounts up to 60% on their products and there is a dedicated C1 version that is dedicated to Fujifilm cameras and with those discount tickets, the final cost is very attractive. I ended up buying C1 for Fujifilm (permanent license) for less than $40.

Lightroom is almost a religion, and forgive me fanboys, its X-Trans support still sucks in plain 2019 and I would never, ever use a subscription-based software. It will be a money sink in the long run, just do your calculations and check for yourself. It's evolving but there are better options.

I don't like the subscription model trap that Phase One and Adobe adopted. It's a money sink and if you decide to bail out, you'll be screwed.

Final Words

In the end, after some years using the X Series, the X-Trans matrix doesn't appear to make any huge improvement over a Bayer (without the AA filter) besides maybe some higher detail on high-frequency zones. But the Fuji's package is very powerful considering the price and final result. Still a solid option.

Fuji always liked to try some different approaches on sensor design, like the Super CCD and its numerous incarnations and I respect this. At least, like Sigma with the Foveon, they at least try.

• If you like to dig into the X-Trans guts, try RawTherapee or Iridient.
• If you want a good option that will not make a hole in your pocket, you may try Capture One for Fujifilm (Express or Full License, if you have a discount ticket).
• If you're an Apple user, RawPower + Aperture is a pretty decent combination and very affordable.
• Affinity Photo can handle X-Trans raws well, but it's far more than a converter.
• Luminar works, but it's so bugged that I asked for a refund.