RAW file format

[DueyDooDah]

I suggest you download the trial version of Lightroom and use it for the 30 days that you are allowed. It is designed to make processing much faster than the other tools you'll find. If you process as many as most of us here, it's well worth the money (especially if you are a student or teacher - discount price $99).

Just a warning. You'll not spend less time processing with Lightroom. You'll just be able to get more done in the same amount of time. (You'll find out what I mean once you try it)

 

[fitzperry]

I've become a fan of Capture NX for RAW processing, though I haven't yet upgraded to 2.0. I love that it preserves all my camera settings (and you can also change them with just a click of your mouse). And the control point technology is a great feature--allows for selective editing of brightness, saturation, contrast, etc. w/o using layers. I also have LR (again haven't upgraded to 2.0) and have not used it lately. LR's organizational features are superior, but for processing NEF's I prefer NX. I know some people manage to use both in their workflow, but my more recent images are just unorganized for now. I'll get around to that some time.

 

[Quicklabs]

Thanks for the software suggestions!

 

[handicap18]

Capture NX2 has a 60 day free trial version. Its also $80 more than NX. Between the 2 you can get 3 months free to decide which one is better for you.

 

[Candlepin_Man]

When I capture in RAW I use Adobe Bridge to convert my photos to JPEG, I know it's a little expensive, however now that I've used this I'll never use anything else.

 

[Andrew*A]

I'm very new to photography and so far have only shot in jpeg. I enjoy editing my pictures and would like to start using RAW in order to get the best results.
Can anyone recommend any free to download RAW conversion software that does the job well?

 

[ukcatfan]

I have never used it, but there is Raw Therapee. Google's Picasa also does some basic processing.

 

[AndrewWG]

I would think that, depending on your camera model, you should have been given some RAW software with the camera. I know that Canon gives a RAW program with theirs anyways. Not sure about Nikon but I think they do too. The other brands should as well.

In my opinion, when you get into RAW shooting, you should save up and get Lightroom. It is worth the $$.

 

[InsertWittyNameHere]

I have never used it, but there is Raw Therapee. Google's Picasa also does some basic processing.

I'm using Raw Therapee now and for a free program it is very good. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some Adobe products but it is much better than the OLympus Master program that came with my camera.

 

[MinnieFlute]

I haven't used it yet (I have RAW processing in camera and won't use it excessively until I get photoshop) but I've heard of a product called RAWker. It converts RAW to TIFF and TIFF is recognized by photo editing software, whereas RAW won't be unless you're using software the same brand as your camera.

Hope that helps - and let me know how it goes

 

[InsertWittyNameHere]

I haven't used it yet (I have RAW processing in camera and won't use it excessively until I get photoshop) but I've heard of a product called RAWker. It converts RAW to TIFF and TIFF is recognized by photo editing software, whereas RAW won't be unless you're using software the same brand as your camera.

Hope that helps - and let me know how it goes

I think Rawker is only MAC compatible.

 

[Furgus]

No more shooting RAW+JPEG
http://rawworkflow.squarespace.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw-utility/

And it's free and easy.
Link to a sample video on how it works.
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/2027

Be sure to check out the comments after the video. A lot of useful information.

 

[Code]

No more shooting RAW+JPEG
http://rawworkflow.squarespace.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw-utility/

And it's free and easy.
Link to a sample video on how it works.
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/2027

Be sure to check out the comments after the video. A lot of useful information.

Keep in mind that the embedded preview that it is making the JPG from is not full resolution. On my Olympus ORFs it makes a 1600x1200 JPG. So I wouldn't stop shooting RAW+JPG altogether unless you were just using the JPGs for proofs.

Works for Olympus ORF, but not for Sony ARW (neither RAW nor cRAW) and it fails silently, seems to work and just doesn't.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

is there one out there? i know there used to be. Can anyone help? I am looking for a smaller camera to take to Disney instead of the DSLR. I want a good zoom and the ability to shoot raw photos.

 

[Groucho]

I don't know all of them, but I know off the top of my head that the high-end Fujis do shoot in raw.

Of course, shooting in raw is not going to make it a DSLR, you will still be dealing with a sensor that is a fraction of a DSLR's size so low-light photos will generally be much worse.

 

[princess.chell]

The Nikon CoolPix P6000 does.

http://http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26135/COOLPIX-P6000.html

It is the newest model in the Nikon CoolPix P Series which is their performance PnS line.

 

[J3nn78]

The Canon powershot G9 shoots in raw, has usable ISO 0 to 800, logical manual exposure controls, and has a fairly big range of optical zoom.

for a P&S camera, I think it's about as good as it gets right now.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

The Canon powershot G9 shoots in raw, has usable ISO 0 to 800, logical manual exposure controls, and has a fairly big range of optical zoom.

for a P&S camera, I think it's about as good as it gets right now.

The G10 has just been announced and will be available soon. 14.7 Mp as opposed to G9's 12, 28-140mm zoom as oppoed to G9's 35-210mm. .75x & 2x conversion lenses availible for either camera.

I would guess the price of the G9 is about to fall...

... and just after I took delivery of my G9.

I am still learning to use my G9, so no comments yet, other than I am pleased so far.

Andrew

 

[bob100]

The Canon powershot G9 shoots in raw, has usable ISO 0 to 800, logical manual exposure controls, and has a fairly big range of optical zoom.

for a P&S camera, I think it's about as good as it gets right now.

turns out many Canon P&S can shoot in RAW mode with the "CHDK" program
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_in_Brief

 

[alan]

The Panasonic FZ18 (recently replaced by the FZ28). I'm thinking quite seriously about the newer model for my Disney foray in June '09

regards,
/alan