Hi Vaughn,
Thanks for coming back with comments.
I don't want (or believe in) an automated process. I need to be able to adjust such parameters as the highlight and shadow details myself. Even the basic exposure can easily need minor adjustments.
OK. Let's get something straight and misconceptions cleared up about QU raw processing, if not for you directly, as you must now use that new software version having paid for it, but for other readers of this forum.
QU raw processing is designed to make it easy, for those new to shooting in raw but "automatic" is not really the right term "smart" is much more appropriate. However, advanced users can make fine adjustments quickly and accurately.
There are pre-sets for sharpening, noise control, which is adaptive according to ISO value and colour space, which includes custom camera profile.
The QU raw refine screen allows you to adjust exposure by a simple process of clicking one of 9 rectangles within the image area; this includes the ability to recover highlights. It takes a few seconds to get the optimum exposure. Shadow detail is controlled with the Fill control and highlights can be further controlled with the HDR control.
If all this is not enough, there is still the image editor with more conventional controls, levels, curves, select colour etc. etc. The star feature here is the Deep Focus and Tone Targeted sharpening. Think about what Mike said in his e-mail, NO SHARPENING ARTEFACTS; C1 can't do that. You may at least consider final image sharpening in QU.
Terry