Interesting topic. Re. your ideas for discussion @Carmelo_DrRaw , these are a bit above my knowledge level.
However I’d suggest trying your new process with aggressive settings using the “tester” tif I uploaded in the RT test shadows highlights topic a few weeks ago. There was some banding then, a few comments, but it was left hanging really.
https://discuss.pixls.us/t/test-the-new-and-enhanced-shadows-highlights-tool/9329
Also I’m interested in the difference between a dedicated shadows/highlights tool versus using a tone curve plus local contrast tool. I tried this this in RT using the film-like curve -
Vulcan-stone-2.jpg.out.pp3 (10.8 KB)
It’s not that far off the PhF one except for around the sun, which seems to be sitting in a bowl, is that what you were referring to @afre with the wiggle symbol? Anyone know how this pattern arises? And 10/10 @Carmelo_DrRaw for avoiding it! I still haven’t found time to get into PhF…