[JohnH]

I have a post in the equipment forum about upgrading my h'ware - but I also want to update my image processing tools I am looking for your advice (again).

Currently I use Canon raw (CR2) files, I convert to (16 bit) TIF using the supplied Canon s'ware and then try to use Registax to combine the images but it often fails on me (due I think to the large files eg 10-20x48Mb) or gives a poor alignment results (probably my poor shots causing this). Anyway it is very frustrating. And I am not using darks and flats yet!

If I get a result I go to Photoshop Elements 2 (have to convert to 8 bits here due to s'ware limitation) and adjust levels and colour then I put it into (the trial) version of Neat Image and output (cna only save to jpg with that). Finally back to PS for final cosmetic adjustments and compression.

I have a copy of IRIS but have not been able to do much with it as it seems to want me to do a full calibration before anything else...

I have used a trial version of Registars and found it to be excellent, I am happy with NeatImage as well but I would love something that can do it all.

What do you use? What would you recommend me to spen my $ on? ARe ImagesPlus and/or MaximDL worth the $$$?