HDR for mac?

[bilko2]

Trying to find out which is the best versus cheapest application to buy that has HDR ( or equivalent ) merge etc for my imac 10.5 osx. Photoshop has priced itself out of the equation and i don't want to get involved with dodgy installs etc. I do have photoshop elements 2 which came with a camera a while back but it won't work because it hasn't got a classic environment?

As i understand it most people use lightbox or aperture. I have also heard of plugins for photobooth and a standalone product i think called photomatix, at least i think it is stand alone.

I have various Canon applications such as image browser and a raw editing suite i think. All bundled with the 450D. What i really want though is some suggestions for an automated HDR or merge from bracketed shots type application.

Currently using the 1gig of supplied memory with the imac but update to 4gig shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks

[GetCarter]

I use Coral Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 - not sure if they do a Mac version.

[4hero]

Photomatix is pretty reasonable

[bilko2]

Thanks guys,
4Hero is that photomatix a stable application as in all known faults ironed out by now? A better way of putting it would be 'is it any good'? lol
$99 dollars is about what i expected and the idea of not having to have any other major photo editing suite appeals. Getcarter, you are a truly long standing and respected member of the photographic community here and as such i will be sure to check out your recommendation.

[GetCarter]

bilko2 said:

Thanks guys,
4Hero is that photomatix a stable application as in all known faults ironed out by now? A better way of putting it would be 'is it any good'? lol
$99 dollars is about what i expected and the idea of not having to have any other major photo editing suite appeals. Getcarter, you are a truly long standing and respected member of the photographic community here and as such i will be sure to check out your recommendation.

Cheque in post.

[bilko2]

Just checked out corel and unfortunately it only supports windows. Some people are saying that PSE 6 will do hdr. Others apparently are Gimp and Topaz.
Ok, i'll have a think or should i say wait until the urge gets too much that i just download photomatix...

[bilko2]

Would anyone know what a classic environment is and why paintshop elements wouldn't work for lack of one? It is supported by my os apparebtly and downloaded off disk without too many probs. It is PSE 2 which might be a better route to upgrading to version 6.

Edited by bilko2 on Sunday 21st December 18:53

[4hero]

Not had any issues with photomatix, only use it on my windows machine mind you, so can't really say about mac version.

[toasty]

4hero said:

Not had any issues with photomatix, only use it on my windows machine mind you, so can't really say about mac version.

Photomatix do a trial version for Mac. Try it out and buy if you like.

[bilko2]

Trying it out. Not that impressed so far.
Maybe i need some better pictures to start off with lol. My shots were only the 1 stop either side instead of the recommended 2 so they aren't that dramatic. Also pixmania displays them all horizontally so i have to import them into another program and rotate them which is a pain. Obviously need some time with it. I'll post any quarter descent ones.
As a free trial though this thing is pretty good. The trial doesn't run out, you just have a watermark over the pictures which you need to buy the license for to ged rid of.

Thanks for all your help.

[lwt]

If you just want to try HDR, then try Hydra from Creaceed. It can be run as stand alone (but if you have the excellent Aperture it will run as a plug-in too). About $60 I think. See hydra

Ian.