Shooting RAW

[Boracho]

what kind of software would I need to work with the RAW files/convert them. Also, how much bigger are the files than shooting large fine jpeg?

[mercphoto]

So many choices. Your Canon 7D should come with a Canon raw converter. Other choices include Photoshop's Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom, iPhoto, Aperture, ...

I use Aperture myself.

[hue-e]

if you have photoshop, you can just go to the adobe website and download Camera Raw. Pay attention to which versions you get, based off what version of photoshop you have. that's a free solution to converting raw images.

I don't know what software comes with canon gear, but nikon has it's own software what will organize, view and export raw images, but I never use it 'cause there's limited options.

I recently picked up Lightroom. It's basically a glorified version of PS's Camera Raw. I like it better though because camera raw actually screws with the photo and you have to fix it before the export... Lightroom looks much closer to how you actually shot it before export so there's less work... not to mention, you can use it as a single software for organization all the way to final output depending on how much post you do to your photos.

Iphoto comes with mac, but I never use it. And apple's aperture, never used it.

[hue-e]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

So many choices. Your Canon 7D should come with a Canon raw converter. Other choices include Photoshop's Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom, iPhoto, Aperture, ...

I use Aperture myself.

have you used lightroom as well? how do they compare? I've been curious cause I'm new to lightroom and am still on the fence about it... or at least open to other options still. I had to axe nikon's software because it's not compatible with Snow Leopard, and they don't know when they'll fix it.

[venchka]

File size: With my camera, the RAW files are about 3 times larger than JPEGs and TIFF files are about 3 times larger than RAW files. I don't really know for sure because I don't make in camera JPEG files. JPEGs are for Al Gore's internet. 'Nuff said.

[J Eddington]

Josh, if you don't have photoshop (it comes with adobe raw converter) just put those cds that came with your camera onto your computer and play with it. Simple easy to use.

[Rson]

Borracho,

ONLY the CS4 and up will convert your raw files. So if you have an older version, look to something else. you might have to update your ACR go here...

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloa...form=Macintosh

CS5 Uses ACR 6.X
CS4 Uses ACR 5.x
CS3 Uses ACR 4.x

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by Rson

ONLY the CS5 version will convert your raw files. So if you have an older version, look to something else.

I guess all that time I've been using CS3 to convert my raw files I was not really converting my raw files.....

[venchka]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

I guess all that time I've been using CS3 to convert my raw files I was not really converting my raw files.....

Depends on which camera you have. Apparently, ACR is updated for new cameras & new versions of Photoshop. However, ACR may not be backwards compatible. Based on the 40D listed in your sig.

EDIT to add: A very sneaky way to force folks to buy new software. Bah! Humbug!

[hue-e]

I recently had to upgrade my CR to work with the Nikon D300s... but if you have a camera older than a couple years, most of the CR version will work I believe. However, I wasn't able to just grab the lastest version because I'm on CS3 at home. So just make sure you have what works with your version of PS, and your camera.

if you go to adobe's site, they have all the versions listed, and what cameras it's comapatable with.

as far as CR being only on CS5.. I've been using it since at least CS2.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by hue-e

I recently had to upgrade my CR to work with the Nikon D300s... but if you have a camera older than a couple years, most of the CR version will work I believe. However, I wasn't able to just grab the lastest version because I'm on CS3 at home. So just make sure you have what works with your version of PS, and your camera.

if you go to adobe's site, they have all the versions listed, and what cameras it's comapatable with.

as far as CR being only on CS5.. I've been using it since at least CS2.

The OP's sig say's that he has a 7d....only CS4 ACR version 5.6 and up

[hue-e]

ah, cool... yeah, I didn't pay that much attention :P

[Rson]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

I guess all that time I've been using CS3 to convert my raw files I was not really converting my raw files.....

Funny guy

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

there are a whole bunch of free converters on the net that can be downloaded for the basic versions (fees for more advanced versions with more tools).

Also search here on TPF for RAW-many many times this topic has been covered.

[venchka]

Bottom line: The camera came with enough software to make photos. What's wrong with that? In fact, if properly installed, the camera specific software starts when you plug your card in to the computer. It knows.