This review is for you if you’re a Capture One Pro user and wondering if the iPad version is worth adding to your workflow. It’s also for those who haven’t used Capture One but are looking for a budget-friendly introduction and already own an iPad. I will review the features, pros and cons of the app and compare them with the desktop version.
I have been using Capture One Pro for over 10 years. I mainly use it to capture links as well as make adjustments and retouching. As a disclaimer, I will not compare it with Lightroom or any other mobile editing app. I’m testing Capture One on a iPadProCapture connects to the Canon 5D Mark III, make edits afterwards, and shows you how to export your photos or continue editing on your desktop using Capture One’s own cloud transfer.
display
The main menu shows all your images and then divides them into captured, imported and deleted images. You can select and move them as you like. Clicking on an image takes you to the edit view, which is the same when shooting over a connection.
Below the “Pictures” menu are the “Import”, “Camera” and “Albums” collapsible menus. “Album” refers to the desktop version called “Session” or “Category”. As someone who rarely uses “Category”, only one option feels nice and simple.
Capture One is known for its ability to customize the composition the way you want to capture and edit. The iPad version offers options to have the tools on the right or left side, show graphs or not, and show exposure warnings or not. What I really like about using the iPad for editing is the ability to easily move it from landscape to portrait and thus see your image fill the screen. You can hide the image browser and switch to full screen mode by double-tapping the image. However, I would prefer a view with more features, such as changing the background color from black to white for example.
Import images
The “Import” menu shows two options: “Picture” or “File”. Well, whatever you do, chances are those are the photos you want. The “Pictures” option only refers to the photos folder on your iPad. You’ll want to select “File” to import from outside the iPad. You can import from your hard drive, cloud storage provider, memory card, or directly from your camera.
tethering
Tethering is compatible with most cameras; Full list can be found this. I found it reliable with my Canon 5D Mark III by cable. Wireless tethering is also available with many camera models. I shot with natural light and ensured a near-perfect exposure in-camera. There is an option to use the dropper tool to set the white balance if you are using a gray card when you start shooting.
The app does not provide any camera control through the app. This is disappointing for those who are used to being able to change camera settings on a computer. With a camera tall on a tripod, this feature is golden. I definitely hope this gets added in new versions. Another missing feature (compared to the desktop version) is the live view. Having said that, tethering is generally reliable, and the iPad is easy to move around as you shoot.
I highly recommend putting a photo folder for your images instead of putting them all in one place.
edit
Just like in the desktop version, you can give your images a star and color rating. This is great because the app also allows you to sort your images by their rating and color. The editing menu puts a lot of emphasis on “Styles” and “Presets” because they’re higher up on the menu than manual editing. They are fun to play with, but I prefer to make my own. The menu in the middle is all about layout: cropping, rotation, and keystone. It’s pretty intuitive, and using touch controls here is great.
The fourth menu down is where manual editing takes place. Here you can change the white balance, exposure, and add clarity. Then, adjust the highlights and shadows using the HDR menu, de-blur and add vignette as needed. My favorite tool in all of Capture One has to be the Color editor. It offers a basic version here on iPad, but usually that’s all you need.
Overall, the editing menus are much more basic than the desktop version and more geared towards new Capture One users. A feature to drag these editing tools around would be great!
The Keystone function is being used for perspective correction.
Cloud Transfer
Capture One has a private cloud transfer feature, which is very easy to set up. At any time, you can back up your albums to the cloud and access them from your desktop to continue editing. There is a catch, though. It only works in the latest two versions of Capture One Pro, at the time of writing, version 22 and 23. I’m still running version 21 and for this review I downloaded a trial version of the latest version. I know quite a few photographers who are still paying once for the software (instead of a subscription) and therefore updating less frequently. I tried opening the capture album file on my version 21 and couldn’t open it.
Advantage
- $4.99 seems reasonable
- It’s great for quick edits and use of presets
- Always capture and edit full screen in portrait or landscape mode
- iPad is really easy to move when tethering
- You can take advantage of the touch screen
- Easily copy edits from one photo to another
- Continue editing between desktop and iPad if you’re using the latest desktop versions
Defect
- Capture One Pro 22 or 23 desktop version required to take advantage of cloud transfer
- No camera control from iPad during tethering, just pressing the shutter button
- Basic color correction only
- No layers or masks
- Don’t set the image as a comparison variant (something I use a lot)
If the screen full of fingerprints bothers you, the iPad camera feature is not for you.
final judgment
Some photographers may have turned to iPad entirely for their workflow. Especially with the addition of a keyboard, I find this a viable option to switch to a MacBook. Would I buy an iPad just to install Capture on it? Probably not, but since I already have one, it’s a good idea to at least download it and keep it as a fallback option. I’d like to see what updates are coming in future versions.
It is best for those who want to shoot on the go, edit quickly and continue editing on the full desktop version. I would also consider this a good option for a photographer who regularly takes pictures and only occasionally requires tethering and therefore only uses the iPad version of Capture One.
