On1 Photo RAW 2023.5 - InDepth Review

[@kevinharvey6162]

I use On1 and I recognise most of the draw backs you mentioned. However, refining AI generated masks or correcting sharpening sliders down a bit are quick and easy to do and features like this will get better over time. Being able to mask any adjustment you add is really useful. Overall I think its great value and I couldn't imagine ever going back to Lr/Ps.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Cheers Kevin. The main thing is to find the app that works for you and your workflow and style of photography. :)

[@mitchkite9354]

Thanks for a great review video. It was nice to see an honest opinion about ON1 Photo RAW. I use the software and it does have many annoyances, but overall can do the job pretty well. Other reviewers gloss over the issues and lack of capabilities and only show the good things it can do. They very rarely talk about the negatives.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks Mitch. I don't see the point in only telling half the story :)

[@stefanschug5490]

I worked for over 20 years with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom as well as with On1 since its beginnings with Perfect Photo Suite. For the last 5 years I also worked with Affinity and PhotoLab including the Nik Collection plug-in and I must say, that they all have pros and cons. I would not want to miss any of this software, since in combination they allow absolute control and calibration. The Learning Curves are of course steep and many people get discouraged, wishing for one click solutions. Software producers try to cater to that desire which simplifies these programs but does not necessarily makes them better. Keep up the good work!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks Stefan - yea I find myself using five different apps for different things. Luminar for powerlines removal, DxO for noise reduction, Topaz for enlarging etc etc. :)

[@Bontphoto]

I have tried on1 but having grown up with LRC its my go to every time. I have invested in Photolab 6 which is great for image editing in my view.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yep - same combo for me. :)

[@mikeyb9819]

I’ve been using On1 for 5 years or so and, to date, have been unable to resist their annual upgrades, which promise ever more attractive functions each year. However, the penny has finally dropped! These sparkly new additions seldom work as advertised and seem to lag 12 months before performing as they should have done at launch. I still buy the full Topaz suite as On1’s versions of them are nowhere near as good. ‘Crashy and buggy’ resonated with me and I found your review pretty well mirrored my own experiences. It’s a shame because, in many respects, On1 have the potential to be the complete package. I’ve recently started to look for alternatives and found your channel in this process. Thanks for taking the time to produce some very helpful and honest reviews (I’ve watched a few now). DXO looks favourite to take my cash next.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thank-you kindly. I continue to be impressed by DxO's software - it's much slicker and more effective all around :)

[@topflight2358]

anyone who has been purchasing on1 over and over as i have been, have any problems with it disappearing from computer??? i just missed the webinar because i cannot find the on1. i went to on1 and signed in and now it does not show me having on1 2023.5 !! WTF ! i found my purchase from May this year and started to redownload all the 2023.5 and all the add ons, and seeing the down loads show " downloading 2023 " and NOT 2023.5 ??? Is this normal ????? or should it show 2023.5 what was repurchased ??? HELP !! On1 has we waiting 24-48 hours for very question i have !!! very aggravating when these people have your money ...

[@tonyb2760]

The pricing structure of On1 is as much or more than Adobe and the performance isn't even close. I gave up on On1 after they announced the Max version and the ridiculous pricing structure. They have a lot of catching up to do before I will ever go back.

[@PaulCarmona]

Ive used on1 since veraion 8, lost interest when they removed the add ins for photoshop and lightroom and made them a paid add on and rarely go back to it. Good people though im sure they will take your critism on board

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yep. I think all competition is good, but they definitely need to finesse that app. :)

[@AzovPort]

Like

[@KrunchyJD]

I dont know why you bring up affinity photo. To me Affinity photo is a Photoshop alternative, not a raw editor. I refuse to buy into Adobes Subscription model so I use Affinity photo to as a substitute for photoshop and On1 and Luminar Neo as a substitute for Lightroom. I am trialing photo lab 6 which seems good..

[@Andyhutchinson]

I brought up Affinity Photo because Serif made a really big deal out of pimping its RAW editing capabilities with the recent point release. Ultimately you need to use whatever works for you - but what I would say is that Photolab is a far superior RAW editor to Neo, Affinity Photo and On1 Photo RAW.

[@KrunchyJD]

@@Andyhutchinson Yeah, I totally agree. They should never have said is a good RAW editor, it isn't. I never edit raw photos with affinity photo.. I use it more for creative stuff, and retouching, and removing objects, changing backgrounds, adding and editing luts, etc. Substitute for Photoshop, not Lightroom... To me it's a good Photoshop substitute, not a Lightroom substitute.. I'm liking Photolab, it gets great results. I can't work out how to do a "free" crop in it for some reason. It seems to want to keep to the same ratio. That aside it seems very good and I will probably buy it. It's expensive though..