RAW file format

[JR6ooo4]

I think there is a different file/patch that allows the viewing of raw files in thumbnails or the standard picture viewer. But I do not remember the name. It was right next to the raw viewer at the microsoft site.

Mikeeee

 

[Anewman]

this is probably off topic but I have been reading these Raw threads and the common thread to me is that its better to shot in raw because you have greater ability to correct things (ie white balance,exposure amongst other things) and that jpeg is used by people that dont want to invest time in post processing. I was wondering then isnt it more challenging to shot jpeg knowing that you have fewer chances to correct things that you may actually stop and think more about the the exposure,white balance and other things? again I could be way off target and I am not looking to start a debate either just my two cents

I am sure that in some cases this might apply.

While I am sure that some shoot raw because of the extra margin for error that it offers, IMO most shoot RAW for creative control and overall image quality reasons and not to compensate for poor exposures. Kinda like shooting full auto vs manual, some want the camera to decide what kind of settings are used and some want to decide for themselves.

Lets remember that most NEW photographers that buy a DSLR just place the camera on full auto and shoot jpeg, should we then imply that jpeg shooters tend to be novices? Of course not, there are poor photographers that shoot RAW and/or JPEG and there good ones in both groups too.

Also some see setting white balance in the raw converter as a "corrective" measure, while some of us might not agree with it that characterization.

 

[Anewman]

Kyle,

I downloaded and installed that and will give it a try. At first glance, it doesn't seem to solve my dilemma. What I am looking for is something that will allow me to view the thumbnails of the RAW files in explorer. Instead of just getting a screen filled with these:


Is it even possible for the computer to do a quick view type of thing on these thumbnails?

You installed this one???
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...8E-B10D-4CE4-A141-5866FD4A3286&displaylang=en

The issue maybe that your camera is newer than the patch and it does not know how to handle the raw files produced by your camera. Also try changing views on the toolbar and make sure thumbnails is selected, and make sure you have .NET Framework 1.1 installed.

Or you can Try this
http://www.arcsoft.com/products/rawviewer/

 

[AndrewWG]

Andy - you should be able to view them with the software that come with your camera. I am still using Zoom Browser that came with my XTi - I think I also got it with the 30D. It isn't fancy or anything - but it does the job and you can see your images as soon as they are loaded onto your PC - right after you bring up that software. AND if you did get it with your camera - you have already paid for it.

Jen,

I haven't used zoombrowser that much. Not real sure why. I know that it annoyed me when I open it and it scans the computer to make thumbnails of about 2000 pictures in 8 folders. I wish I could find a way to turn that off. After it finally opens, it still takes awhile to do anything. I think that this computer is just a bit slow. I need more speed!

Anyways, I did just open it and see what you mean. It does show the thumbnails of the RAW images. I wish there was a way to get this computer to show them in Windows Explorer as I usually just use that to scan through my pics and send them to PSE5 from there. I need a better workflow...

 

[Master Mason]

Jen I need a better workflow...

Lightroom.... worth every penny

 

[handicap18]

Andy, your camera is on the newer side so that is why your getting the box with the X when using the regular MS Picture viewer. The MS RAW Picture view should be updated for the 30D. When I used the older picture viewer and opened a RAW image I only got a tiny little thumbnail. With the MS RAW picture viewer when I open the RAW image I get a full screen image.

I also agree with Gregg about lightroom. very easy to use and opens all RAW images no issues.

 

[mabas9395]

Kyle,

I downloaded and installed that and will give it a try. At first glance, it doesn't seem to solve my dilemma. What I am looking for is something that will allow me to view the thumbnails of the RAW files in explorer. Instead of just getting a screen filled with these:

Is it even possible for the computer to do a quick view type of thing on these thumbnails?

This is the same thing that happens to me. And I have older Canon Rebel XT CR2 files which are supposed to be compatible. I have researched the error and have read some references to problems with .NET. Haven't gotten around to trying to fix it though since I also use Lightroom.

 

[Snurk71]

Wow! I wasn't intending to start a multiple page thread with this question.

A couple of comments back on my original quest to force myself to go Raw only...

I don't do much post processing. Seems like at least half of my pictures are stored for personal PC viewing/reference and nothing more. So I'll process those to JPG over time as I might want to "touch" them. The other half that I'm going to use/put up onlne I go through some slow processing through PSE 4.0 to make JPGs. And yes, I've read the many positive comments about Lightroom and how that can streamline the processing. It doesn't sound like $300 worth of streamlining to me - yet.

I'm not looking for a challenge on taking the perfect picture when I push the button - I just want to have some recoverability for when I take an awful picture. That is what I value in Raw.

I was mainly looking for someone to stop me from making a mistake on shooting Raw only. I'm not seeing an argument against it yet though.

 

[Master Mason]

If you have someone that is in school that you could use you can get Lightroom from Campus Tech for $94.85....

 

[jann1033]

i think the only "problem" with raw is processing but truthfully i want to crop or something anyway and only mess with the ones i want to print or keep or put online then just store the others

ps..i was on vacation taking 11+gb of birdie and manatee photos hence the (no doubt blissful to many) silence on my part recently so i'll be processing those raw babies for a long long time

 

[Master Mason]

I was mainly looking for someone to stop me from making a mistake on shooting Raw only. I'm not seeing an argument against it yet though.

If you don't want to process every pic you take, then you can't shoot only raw. In RAW you will have to process them, it could be as simple as opening them up and saving them as jpegs as recorded, but you will need to process them in some manner.

 

[AndrewWG]

Wow! I wasn't intending to start a multiple page thread with this question.

A couple of comments back on my original quest to force myself to go Raw only...

I don't do much post processing. Seems like at least half of my pictures are stored for personal PC viewing/reference and nothing more. So I'll process those to JPG over time as I might want to "touch" them. The other half that I'm going to use/put up onlne I go through some slow processing through PSE 4.0 to make JPGs. And yes, I've read the many positive comments about Lightroom and how that can streamline the processing. It doesn't sound like $300 worth of streamlining to me - yet.

I'm not looking for a challenge on taking the perfect picture when I push the button - I just want to have some recoverability for when I take an awful picture. That is what I value in Raw.

I was mainly looking for someone to stop me from making a mistake on shooting Raw only. I'm not seeing an argument against it yet though.

Nope, no argument against it, that's for sure. Mainly I like it because it gives me the flexibility to be able to change something easily if I mess up a shot. I'm not, by any means, a professional at this point. Even some of the pros use RAW, I'm sure.

Without a doubt, I would like to get it right the first time, everytime. That just isn't where I'm at yet, so having the RAW file is very helpful to me. The jpg's I'm finding to be more and more useless and hard drive hogging than anything else at this point. On the other hand, I don't hae all night to sit here and process RAW photos so I still take both and hope that the jpg's are good enough. I just haven't developed a mindset to delete the RAW file for the jpg's that I'm happy with.... I forsee a terabyte hard drive in my very near future.

 

[AndrewWG]

Jann's back! Now I can change my signature.

 

[jann1033]

wow andy, i never knew i was so mysterious I'd warrant a signature insert i should go away more often

 

[AndrewWG]

wow andy, i never knew i was so mysterious I'd warrant a signature insert i should go away more often

Well Jann, I don't know how long you were gone but it had occurred to me that I had not seen a post from you in quite awhile. So, rather than start a "Where in the world is Jann1033" thread, I figured I'd just put the question in my signature! I just did that yesterday and *POOF* here you are today. It worked!

 

[disphoto]

Does the XT come with Digital Photo Professional. This is Canon's own program for viewing and processing RAW. It is more than capable. It corrects white balance, will batch process files when converting to jpg, and more. It should be on the disk that came with the camera, with the updates free at the Canon site.

 

[Snurk71]

If you have someone that is in school that you could use you can get Lightroom from Campus Tech for $94.85....

Does a 2nd grader count? I have one of those.

Lightroom works with PSE, correct?

If you don't want to process every pic you take, then you can't shoot only raw. In RAW you will have to process them, it could be as simple as opening them up and saving them as jpegs as recorded, but you will need to process them in some manner.

Yes, I am aware of this. I basically just shoot and store and then if I ever need to do something with one I process just that one/those - I don't take the time to process up front what I'm not sure I'll ever need. I don't want to take up another 3 MB/picture with the JPG if there is no reason to. That's my overall goal.

 

[Master Mason]

Does a 2nd grader count? I have one of those.

Lightroom works with PSE, correct?




Yes, I am aware of this. I basically just shoot and store and then if I ever need to do something with one I process just that one/those - I don't take the time to process up front what I'm not sure I'll ever need. I don't want to take up another 3 MB/picture with the JPG if there is no reason to. That's my overall goal.

Yes a 2nd grader would count...

 

[jann1033]

yes it does come with digital photo pro...i also had downloaded adobe camera raw for free from the adobe site but not sure if that only works with adobe products or not...
haven't used it for a while but from what i recall the photo pro doesn't show up the raw thumbnails in the my documents folder though, just jpg...the raw and psp come up as the eg posted earlier, the jpgs as actual thumbnails photos. i started labeling them with more definitive terms but it still is kind of a pain...might be asking daughter who is in school to get her old mom a lightroom if that solves the problem

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

I would like to start experimenting with shooting in RAW, and having the ability to do some post-processing.

I am planning on doing the free trial of Adobe Lightroom this weekend, since it seems like that is the favorite program here. I was reading their site today, and it looks like I can purchase Lightroom for $99 since my husband is a teacher, which makes it seem all the more interesting to me.

Any feedback on Lightroom would be great, as well as any other suggestions for viewing and post-processing RAW photos.

Thanks so much!
Lisa