PP Tips 20 - Using The FujiFilm RFC EX

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The new FujiFilm X100, HS-20 EXR and the F550 EXR all have Raw capability and each comes bundled with a raw file converter (RFC).

For the EXR series cameras, this is called RFC EX and is powered by SilkyPix. As far as I can tell, it is the same version for all the EXR sensor cameras.

I am a long time user of Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw and use them daily. I have also been using SilkyPix products for the past year, or so. Personally, I think they are excellent products. It just takes a little time to learn to use them.

My first introduction to SilkyPix products was with the RFC supplied with the FujiFilm HS-10. That RFC had quite limited functionality and many settings were simply non-adjustable presets.

Fortunately, the new RFC EX has the important 'controller panes' fully operable and adjustable.

Anyway, I have made a very simple overview of an image conversion/edit. As it will be difficult to see the images here, I have created a PDF file which can be downloaded here

A zipped version is available here

Note : The file is quite large (8 mb) as there are quite a number of image examples

In the example, I am simply running through an overview of how to use the RFC EX. The settings I am using are purely subjective and I would always encourage you to try your own variations. Typically, I step through an image edit in the order that I am showing. This always works well, for me.

Hopefully, you will find this helpful.

Update : Below is an example of an HS-20 EXR file converted with the RFC EX

A friend of mine has just got the HS-20 EXR and sent me a couple of sample Raw files.

The first image below is the Raw file converted in RFC EX but with no adjustments applied. In other words, it is just a 'flat' conversion with the default settings.

The second is the adjusted image which has also then had some additional sharpening applied in Photoshop.

Note : Clicking either image will take you to a larger size

Cheers


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Other posts in this series - Click here for the index page.

FujiFilm RFC EX - Raw File Converter

Update : I have now put together a simple overview of the RFC EX controls in use in an image edit - Have a look here

The new FujiFilm X100, HS-20 EXR and F550 EXR all shoot Raw and are shipped with the SilkyPix RFC EX (raw file converter). This converter is designed to work with the FujiFilm EXR sensor/processor.

The cameras are still not available here, but I managed to get my hands on a copy of the RFC EX.

From what I can see, the RFC EX is the same for all the cameras. I have downloaded some of the Raw files floating around (X100 and F550) and run them through it and it works the same for either.

Contrary to some opinions, the RFC is very easy to use and produces a very usable image. When I do a conversion, I am converting to a Tiff file, not Jpeg.

Below is just one very quick example of one of the Raw files from the F550 EXR.

The first screen shot shows the Raw file (left), after conversion in RFC EX to a Tiff file and then also sharpened in Photoshop. The right image shows the out of camera Jpeg.

The next three screen shots simply show some of the detail around the images compared, and as if at a view size (print size) of 12 x 16 inches.

This is not the best example image from the F550 EXR but the image I wanted to try was incorrectly labelled and downloads this same image.

I will play more with it, as I find some more files, and write up something about how to use it.

In the comparisons below, the Raw (Tiff) is always at left, and the out of camera Jpeg, at right.

Note : Clicking any image will take you to a larger size

For those who may have been used to using the HS-10 RFC, the big difference with the new RFC EX is that the functions such as :

• Highlight Controller
• WB Controller
• Fine Colour Controller
• Lens Aberration Controller
• Rotation/Digital Shift Controller
• Tone Curve Controller
• Demosaic Sharp

... Are now all unlocked and fully usable !!! Not just presets as with the RFC.

Cheers


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