Post-processing workflow advice

[SDMFer]

I have a Canon RP and recently decided to get into Raw file processing after being somewhat resistant to this. I find Canon DPP gives nice results, especially with regards to the proprietary lens corrections and picture styles. However I know that other software can give superior results in other aspects. I have tried using Raw Power (which uses Apple’s Raw engine) but it is very clear that chromatic aberrations and other issues are not corrected and has very little latitude to correct these compared to DPP. This is why I am hesitant at using 3rd-party Raw converters.

My query is which would be the best option post-processing to give the optimal results without having to fight suitable software:

1. Master Canon DPP - suited to Canon, worth me investing time to really learn it?
2. Export from Canon DPP with basic lens corrections etc as TIFF, import to other editing software such as DXO Photolab or Affinity Photo to do the main adjustments such as sharpening, noise reduction, colour adjustments etc.
3. Just use DXO Photolab or suchlike for full Raw conversion and editing. Will this get the same automatic lens corrections or not be as ideal as using DPP?

I don’t mind a more convoluted workflow like no.2 if it will give the best end results. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Donnie Fisher]

If its just a quick one off image, I tend to open the RAW file directly in Affinity. If its multiple images, DPP.

Personally, I think though that DPP gives the most natural / cleanest output of RAW conversion. But that comes at the expense of not offering much more than the basic adjustments. If I wanted best quality then dpp first including the noise reductions then into affinity.

 

[And]

While we all want perfection from our images I would suggest focusing on a workflow that suits you and what you want to achieve with your images. Having used DPP extensively as a raw converter for a couple of years I came to the conclusion that any benefits were very minimal at best and went back to ACR (via Bridge) using a body specific Camera Standard profile.

IMO what is more important is the story you are trying to tell through an image, not pixel-level perfection, thus good composition and sympathetic processing to make the most of that composition is what I'd aim for.