Shooting RAW

[JohnT]

There is also Adobe DNG Converter, which is free and will convert your raw files to DNG format. Then you can work with those files in PSCS, 2, 3, etc. Nice way to go if you don't want to update PS when your camera is no longer supported.

[rwwright]

lightroom will convert your raw files just fine, is less expensive than cs5, and will perform most of the editing you will want to do. eventually you will also purchase CS because it will do some things lr cannot do at this time.

you will be glad you are using raw versis jpg. it is much more forgiving.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by rwwright

lightroom will convert your raw files just fine,

... eventually you will also purchase CS because it will do some things lr cannot do at this time.

you will be glad you are using raw versis jpg.

Lightroom also converts RAW files to DNG files. Big problem: non-Adobe software may not recognize DNG files. TIFF files are RAW files without compression and virtually all software can work with TIFF files.

Maybe. Maybe not. CS, Photoshop, seems to me to be about 100% optional and or not required.

RAW and/or TIFF files are for editing. JPEGs are for showing after editing.

[rwwright]

actually, lightroom CAN convert raw files to tif, or dng, or jpg, or others. BUT you do not need to convert it at all, it just reads the raw files without any conversion to another file type.

i am somewhat predijuced against tif in any form, the reason is that i have some old files that were recorded into a tif file in the camera and no software that i have will read them now several years later. i will not likely ever use tif files again if there is a choice.

[lfmerrell]

I believe Picasa handles most raw formats.

[tul1pan]

I am a newbie and have always shot in .jpeg. My Canon 40D has the option to do raw, but I am still confused at what the difference is? Advantages to shooting .jpeg / raw?
I apologize if is not the rigth place to ask.. Thank you so much

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by tul1pan

I am a newbie and have always shot in .jpeg. My Canon 40D has the option to do raw, but I am still confused at what the difference is? Advantages to shooting .jpeg / raw?
I apologize if is not the rigth place to ask.. Thank you so much

Digital Photography School: RAW vs. JPEG

RAW vs JPEG

[tul1pan]

Thank you so very much Sonny!. I have spent hours on this site. so much wonderful infomation!

[Sonny]

Glad I could help.

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by tul1pan

I am a newbie and have always shot in .jpeg. My Canon 40D has the option to do raw, but I am still confused at what the difference is? Advantages to shooting .jpeg / raw?
I apologize if is not the rigth place to ask.. Thank you so much

Think of it this way. You are always shooting RAW. Repeat that and let it sink in. You are always shooting RAW. The difference is are you letting the camera body be your RAW converter (and store only a JPG), or are you letting software on your computer be your RAW computer that you can direct the parameters and tweak the results?

That really is what happens. The camera reads the raw data off the sensor and does the conversion to JPG for you in-camera. You have a few knobs you can twist to adjust that conversion in-camera, such as Canon's picture styles and such, but that is what is happening - you are letting the camera body be your raw converter.

Not saying this is a bad thing. I shoot my 40D in RAW all the time, but I shoot my Sony NEX3 in fine JPG. I grab the 40D for serious shots, and I grab the Sony for times when good enough truly is good enough.

[tul1pan]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

Think of it this way. You are always shooting RAW. Repeat that and let it sink in. You are always shooting RAW. The difference is are you letting the camera body be your RAW converter (and store only a JPG), or are you letting software on your computer be your RAW computer that you can direct the parameters and tweak the results?

That really is what happens. The camera reads the raw data off the sensor and does the conversion to JPG for you in-camera. You have a few knobs you can twist to adjust that conversion in-camera, such as Canon's picture styles and such, but that is what is happening - you are letting the camera body be your raw converter.

Not saying this is a bad thing. I shoot my 40D in RAW all the time, but I shoot my Sony NEX3 in fine JPG. I grab the 40D for serious shots, and I grab the Sony for times when good enough truly is good enough.

Mercphoto.. thank you for the advise. after reading just teh 2 links that were sent before I am definately looking into RAW... I edit most of my images anyway so the extra step is not really "extra" for me.. I'm very excited to get home and change settings!

[kenw]

Originally Posted by lfmerrell

I believe Picasa handles most raw formats.

yes it will handle RAW files (at least Canon RAW) and renders them darn well onscreen without any futzing. If you want a simple and fast way to make minor tweaks to a bunch of RAW files, Picasa will do it. However, much more editing and you'll need a real editor. I use Picasa for quick sorting of culls and keepers, and sometimes some crop, rotate, brighten, do an on the spot slideshow right from the card or camera, and other simple tasks. A simple netbook will handle it.

But it isn't much of a real editor. For example, it will only brighten... no darken. Your output format is limited to JPG only and I don't think you get to adjust the compression.

[8mpg]

Originally Posted by tul1pan

I am a newbie and have always shot in .jpeg. My Canon 40D has the option to do raw, but I am still confused at what the difference is? Advantages to shooting .jpeg / raw?
I apologize if is not the rigth place to ask.. Thank you so much

This is a GREAT video (in my opinion) on why to shoot raw vs jpg.

Jared Polin is goofy guy but has a TON of great info. His website is froknowsphoto.com Tons of great videos on editing an shooting.

[tul1pan]

Originally Posted by 8mpg

This is a GREAT video (in my opinion) on why to shoot raw vs jpg.

Jared Polin is goofy guy but has a TON of great info. His website is froknowsphoto.com Tons of great videos on editing an shooting.

Thank you! I will check it out now

[tul1pan]

Originally Posted by 8mpg

This is a GREAT video (in my opinion) on why to shoot raw vs jpg.

Jared Polin is goofy guy but has a TON of great info. His website is froknowsphoto.com Tons of great videos on editing an shooting.

Well.. ever since I went to Jared's site last week I have been unable to look away!. Thanks for the link!