DxO Labs’ has released its latest raw development and editing tool: Photolab 7. Plus there's an update to its tribute to analog photography: FilmPack 7.
DxO Photolab 7
PhotoLab 7, is DxO’s raw image-processing and correction software. This new version introduces unique color calibration and editing tools, revamped local adjustments, and a powerful new black-and-white workflow.
Our goal has always been to give photographers the ultimate in image quality, and PhotoLab 7 takes this another step further. Combined with our ultra-wide gamut and soft proofing functionality, the
introduction of the colour calibration tool and support for LUTs creates a whole new level of control.
— Fabrizio Dei Tos Navalesi, DxO Product Director
New Color Profiling for PhotoLab 7
PhotoLab 7 is designed to give photographers true-to-life, scientifically accurate color profiles for their images. PhotoLab 7’s new unique tool, working with industry-standard color checker charts from Calibrate and Datacolor, enables consistency of color to be applied to batches of images.
Cinematic-Style Color Grading
New to Photolab 7 are Look Up Tables (LUTs) with 17 DxO starter presets. LUTs build on the previous advances made in color management where DxO re-engineered their color processing algorithms, introduced an extended working color space called DxO Wide Gamut, and improved Soft Proofing mode. DxO says that using LUTs will enable photographers to speed up their workflow and apply their favorite style adjustments to their images.
HSL Editing Can Now Be Adjusted Locally
The spectrum of color control tools now available in version 7 means that we photographers can now use the accurate and user-friendly HSL Colour Wheel as part of their local adjustments, enabling them to adjust the color, say, of a subject’s clothing.
A New Black-and-White Workflow
PhotoLab 7 has new tools that should help photographers create their definitive monochrome workflow. The interface has a new tab that switches between color and monochrome, and includes a range of new film renderings. Furthermore, PhotoLab 7 includes introduces a six-channel mixer for complete tonal control across black-and-white photography.
Local Adjustments Have Been Revamped
Precise local adjustments are vital for creative photo editing. PhotoLab 7 makes this easier by organizing local adjustment tools into a new dedicated palette in the workspace. This new design keeps the interface cleaner and makes photos more visible while they’re being worked on, allowing even greater precision from their U Point™ tool.
Price and Availability
PhotoLab 7 is available now as a free upgrade for existing PhotoLab 7 users. New customers can download Windows and macOS versions exclusively from the DxO website at the prices listed below, a 30-day free trial is also available.
New licence: $229, €229, £209
Owners of PhotoLab 5 or 6 can take advantage of a special upgrade price: $109, €109, £99
To upgrade, customers should log into their customer account by clicking or tapping here.
PhotoLab 7 does not require a subscription and can be installed on up to three computers.
DxO FilmPack 7
DxO Labs, have created photo-editing software for over 20 years now. Their latest version of their FilmPack is designed for digital photographers who love the timeless look of film. DxO says that it follows almost two decades of researching and digitizing the unique characteristics of classic film stocks with the aim of keeping them alive in the digital era.
The new FilmPack7 includes new editing tools, film rendering, an enriched Time Machine mode, and what DxO says is a more personalized workflow.
At DxO, we love photography, FilmPack is our tribute to almost 200 years of analog history. Version 7 gives photographers who miss the magic of film the chance to immerse themselves — but with all of the convenience of digital.
— Jean-Marc Alexia, VP of Product Strategy
FilmPack 7 brings new Luminosity Masks, which enable fine adjustment of exposure, color, and contrast. Users can now target specific parts of the image for precise changes such as adding warmth to highlights.
The Upgraded Time Machine mode features a large collection of iconic photographs. Users can use these to experience historical styles in context and then apply them to their own photos. Photographers can enjoy 22 new historical images and events, in addition to 26 new presets, bringing the total to 94 that span almost two centuries of history's greatest photographers and their favorite film stocks.
In addition to FilmPack’s already wide array of authentic film renderings, Version 7 features five new modern analog film renderings: Cinestill Redrum 200, LomoChrome Metropolis 200, Lomography Redscale XR 200, Berlin Kino B&W 400, and Earl Grey B&W 100.
There are also 20 new digital effects, and a series of digital renderings with new styles of color and black-and-white modes on modern cameras from Nikon and FujiFilm, which brings the total number of adjustable high-fidelity color and monochrome film renderings to 89 and 82 digital styles.
Price and Availability
New customers can download Windows and macOS versions exclusively from the DxO website
at the prices listed below, a 30-day free trial is also available.
• DxO FilmPack 7: $139, €139, £129
Owners of FilmPack 6 can take advantage of a special upgrade price:
• DxO FilmPack 7 upgrade price: $79, €79, £69
To upgrade, customers should log into their customer account at
https://shop.dxo.com/login_upgrade.php/en.
Win a Copy of ‘The Glow of Paris’
To celebrate the release of FilmPack 7, DxO has partnered with large-format film photographer Gary Zuercher, who, for 20 years, has documented the beauty of Paris and its bridges at night in black & white. Customers who purchase FilmPack 7 will be eligible to win one of 100 copies of his beautiful photo book. For more details visit DxO's website by clicking or tapping here.
Some Final Thoughts on DxO PhotoLab 7 and FilmPack7
PhotoLab 6 has been my go-to editing software for the last year because it produces far better results than other software on the market that I have tried. I'm running photos through Photolab 7 and the results are impressive, and the new local adjustment tools address the shortcomings I put up with because of the otherwise superior outcomes. I'll be reviewing it in depth in the near future.
Similarly, FilmPack 7 is something of which I am growing increasingly fond, and I am looking forward to bringing you a full review soon.
In the meantime, give the free 30-day trial a try and let us know what you think.
That is a rather humble set of improvements. And I'm a fan.
I think it depends on what you want. Having the HSL local adjustments makes a big difference to me. Similarly, the color matching is going to save me a lot of time. But, I appreciate that they may not be necessities for everyone.
Same here, local HSL adjustments sound really great, I've found myself often wishing it were there. On the other hand, I spent 99 EUR on the upgrade to PL6 a bit over a month ago, still have to sooth the pain of spending the same again so quickly. Pretty sure I'll get over it eventually :D
Hi Matthias, I spoke to DxO to check. The upgrades are discounted but only if your purchase was under 30 days before the release. If it was within a week, the upgrade is free. All relevant customers should have been informed by email. Sadly, as your purchase was over a month ago, that doesn't look like it applies.
Highlight recovery is difficult.
They need AI masking.
That's why i usually only apply Deep Prime XD > DNG > Importing it , and do all the rest in Adobe
I don't have any difficulties with highlight recovery on PhotoLab 6 or 7. Color rendering I find far superior in PhotoLab to Adobe's algorithms.
I get your point about AI masking, although the control points with the U Point technology work well and somewhat differently from masking used by other programs. Masking is something that Adobe has only just caught up with, they were a long way behind, say, ON1 in that area, and Lightroom and Photoshop now give reasonable, if not perfect, quality results.
Deep Prime XD, as you suggest, is also far better for noise reduction. Thanks for the comment.
Using the Highlight slider doesn't give me good enough result.
What is your secret workflow to get good enough result ?
PhotoLab approaches highlight recovery from an exposure compensation perspective (and as such differently than most other raw editors). You'll get the best highlight recovery by manipulating the Exposure slider and then bringing up shadows and midtones as needed. I had a similar opinion of Photolab's highlight recovery until I read about that approach and since then I've found it to be as good, if not better than Lightroom. You can also use the Smart Lighting feature and play with the spot weighting for a similar effect.
The actual Highlights slider will darken lighter areas but won't actually recover areas of blown highlights.
Thanks , I will try that.
I also heard that you can do curve adjustment.