EJDigitalimages: Page 05 HDR Two Programs Compaired

SNS-HDR

This is my preferred HDR processor, does what it says on the tin and does not create the typical HDR Grunge look

Processes up to 12 images RAW files sets using David Coffin's DC Raw engine.

SNS-HDR is available in the following editions and prices:

1. SNS-HDR Lite - free of charge.
version of the program running in console window. Program available freeware.

2. SNS-HDR Pro - 85 euro i/c VAT
Expanded version of program having a graphical user interface.

3. SNS-HDR Home - 30 euro i.c VAT
Expanded version of a graphical user interface, no batch processing module.
This version has a limit of licenses for non-commercial home use.

Test images

Control image created with QimageUltimate

Created with SNS-HDR default

SNS-HDR with custom adjustments

HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing with Lumininance HDR 2.2.1

Lumininance HDR I put this prog to test on Win7 64. All went well for a couple of sessions, then I got a selection in center of image with weird colors which has remained set and appears on all subsequent processing sessions. ?a filter of some sort.
I cannot find any way to clear this filter. Uninstall and re install, Uninstall and re install to different folder/new folder on different disk all no cure. Deleted all references in program data, roaming whatever - no cure. Still investigating.

Installed on Win XP 32 and works albeit very slow and causes system overheat.

It would appear a good program, it is possible to get away from the HDR Gunge look. Like a lot of these GNU programs it takes a bit of working out.

The following images created from a 5 shot set of a hotel in Venice with Luninance settings listed under each image.

For comparison the last two images are created from one of the 5 set, (the underexposed high light one) and processed with my Regular prog. QImage Ultimate first of the last two images is a straight Ultimate job and the last is after a bit of touching up in Elements 7

Conclusions.
Whilst Lunininance HDR does a good job I cannot see any great improvement over a combination of Ultimate/Elements and it is probably a bit more work, one major good point about Lumininance is that it is possible to eliminate the gunge look and there appears to be a lack of aberrations that I found typical with other processes. Further testing will be done.