OK, I'm very confused, typically. I am looking to set up a software workflow that will allow me to take RAW files from my Canon 7D and end up with images that will make my friends and family weep with joy. Now, assuming for a moment that I can take images that don't suck (focussing, guiding, blah blah), what is the software path that is recommended?
Some folks mention that Pixinsight is the bees knees, some are PS / Lightroom fans. Some seem to work in FITS and use Liberator to mess with them, then Nebulosity.
What I'm looking to image is Widefield nebulae and, umm, stuff, and I am eagerly awaiting an 80 ED APO to pop onto my NEQ6 mount.
I am willing to buy the software that will suit me best, but I don't really want to buy it twice, so should I fork out for Adobe CC and sink my energy into DSS then straight into Lightroom for Noise reduction, then Photoshop for general level bending, etc, or should I go DSS | Fits Liberator | Nebulosity, or even DSS | Pixinsight?
Very confused, and I appreciate that everyone has different preferences, but I'd rather spend several hundred dollars on more gear rather than software that is going to be sitting on my PC, mocking me as it gathers figurative dust.
I am quite the nerd, and have pretty good PC gear, but other than a brief period fiddling with 3d Studio Max in my distant youth, I'm not what could be considered a graphic artist (Publisher / Corel Draw is about it for me currently).
Any insight from mistakes that have already been learned from would be much appreciated, as the amount of beatings my wife gives me is proportional to the amount of money I spend on AP
Many thanks, folks
Andrew