Capture One 4.0 Preview

After a gestation period greater than that of an elephant, Phase One has released a public beta of its Capture One software,Version 4.0. Before taking a brief look at what 4.0 has to offer, a slight historical digression is in order.
Phase One has been writing raw software about as long as anyone. Their medium format backs are at the top of the totem pole when it comes to image quality, with a claimed 50%+ market share on a world-wide basis. To support their backs Phase developed Capture One software, a raw processing program which for years was among the most highly regarded programs on the market. And unlike some MF back makers who kept their high-end raw processors proprietary, Phase released Capture One with support for a wide range of 35mm DSLRs, including virtually all of the models in use by pros and advanced amateurs. This was a very clever move because it meant that photographers with Phase backs didn't have to learn and use two separate raw processing programs. It also prov...