RAW file format

[jann1033]

what are you using to open the raw images with?

 

[annnewjerz]

If you are using ViewNX, you should be able to convert them right there to either TIFF or JPG. Unfortunately, mine has been broken (or at least having problems) for quite some time, so now I have to open them up in Photoshop and convert them which I'm sure at least compresses the file some even though I have it set to maximum quality.

Good luck and make sure to share some pics!

 

[jann1033]

if you have elements you should be able to go to file>multiple files>and a box will open. you can load the whole folder, decide what you want to do in an auto setting and on the bottom ( of 5 at least) is a box to check to save as whatever ie jpg.
i just tried it and it appeared to work. i just browsed and selected the whole folder, selected the destination folder clicked the box for jpg and it loaded them all and converted them to jpg. the problem being, you might need to load your photos into a folder you want to batch process and one you don't since once you convert it i don't think it saves it as a copy. couldn't really tell since i didn't want to permanently convert what photos i tried but it asks if you want to keep the changes, you might be able to rename each one and keep the raw...you'd have to try it and see how it works
camera raw you can go to settings and apply the previous conversion to each subsequent photo but i think you still have to open each one.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

I just got a Canon Rebel XSI - I would like to take some photos in RAW, but I have no idea how to post-process them. I have not installed whatever cd came with the camera - I have no idea if it has a program with it anyway.

I have heard talk of Lightroom - but I don't have it. I do have Paint Shop Pro XI - I have no idea if it can do RAW?? Does anyone know?

I am nervous about taking the leap! Help!

 

[MICKEY88]

I just got a Canon Rebel XSI - I would like to take some photos in RAW, but I have no idea how to post-process them. I have not installed whatever cd came with the camera - I have no idea if it has a program with it anyway.

I have heard talk of Lightroom - but I don't have it. I do have Paint Shop Pro XI - I have no idea if it can do RAW?? Does anyone know?

I am nervous about taking the leap! Help!

Paint shop pro does process most raw files, I would recommend instally the software that came with your camera and checking it out.

I use paint shop pro, however I first run my raw files thru the sony software that came with my cameras..

 

[boBQuincy]

Yes, the Canon CD has a program to process the RAW files, I believe it is called Digital Photo Pro. The quality of the output is supposed to be very good, the files are saved in TIFF (8 or 16 bit) or JPG.
The best quality would be the 16 bit TIFF if your editing software supports it. I do not have either Lightroom or Paint Shop so I can't help you there.

 

[jann1033]

i used the canon raw software for a while then got photoshop elements( uses camera raw). now i have lightroom and i really like it. i still occasionally use elements but not very much, mostly to use plugins and sometimes to clone since i find it easier than the lightroom cloning. if you can get lightroom via one of the educational online sellers( ie journey ed, campus tech if anyone in your family is a student or educator) it's only about $99 and well worth it imo. it's easier to get nicer photos with it . i also have corel painter x which is more involved. one thing i like about lightroom is you can do all the conversions from raw, still have the raw file untouched then just open the edited copy in whatever editing program you want to do any "fancy" stuff. very easy

 

[Frantasmic]

The software that comes with the XSi is a good start. I'd suggest that first and then move the educationally discounted Lightroom.

The only problem I have with my XSi accompanied software is that my Vista computer only has 2 gigs memory and the software "says" it can't finish processing, but it does anyway. If you have more memory, you shouldn't have a problem. But, don't be surprised if you do get a notice about not being able to complete the process. It still does.

 

[barrie]

I use "Instant jpeg from RAW". You can download it here: http://www.rawworkflow.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw-utility/

It's incredibly simple and fast. It converts a whole folder of RAW files in a matter of seconds, just by right clicking on the folder and choosing a menu item - no software to open. You can even have them sized to whatever size you want.

I used to shoot in RAW + jpeg but ever since I started using this I have stopped shooting in jpeg altogether. That makes room for 69 more photos on each of my data cards.

I've been using it for 7 months and have had no issues at all.

 

[boBQuincy]

I use BreezeBrowser to extract jpg from raw. I still shoot in raw+jpg because the embedded jpgs are very small (on Canons anyway).

 

[11290]

I use "Instant jpeg from RAW". You can download it here: http://www.rawworkflow.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw-utility/

It's incredibly simple and fast. It converts a whole folder of RAW files in a matter of seconds, just by right clicking on the folder and choosing a menu item - no software to open. You can even have them sized to whatever size you want.

I've been using it for 7 months and have had no issues at all.

Don't know what is going on but, all I get when the download file is
extracted is a .30mb .dll file, no program and Spybot Search & Destroy
classified it as malware. Did the registration and got an email back with a download location. What is going on??

 

[10dedfish]

I use Picasa from Google for my conversion. Its a free download, has an easy to use browsing interface, and allows for editing of the RAW before converting to JPG. There is also a batch process you can set up, but I haven't used that portion of it yet. I just converted a bunch of Seussical pix from RAW to JPG, and had to do a lot of editing, mainly due to unwanted interference from the orchestra.

HTH,

10ded

 

[donaldduck1967]

VIew NX will allow you to convert them all at once. Just select all the pics and then do save as. It may take some time so do it at night or before you goto work.

 

[barrie]

Don't know what is going on but, all I get when the download file is
extracted is a .30mb .dll file, no program and Spybot Search & Destroy
classified it as malware. Did the registration and got an email back with a download location. What is going on??

I don't think it's software really. I heard about it on Scott Kelby's blog. Here's a link to that entry. It gives a really detailed explanation of it. Sorry, I didn't have any trouble installing it at all.

 

[11290]

I don't think it's software really. I heard about it on Scott Kelby's blog. Here's a link to that entry. It gives a really detailed explanation of it. Sorry, I didn't have any trouble installing it at all.

Had this from the site in my mail this evening when I got home:

You should get a zip file that expands to a .msi (Microsoft Installer) file. Run that file to install IJFR. All that gets installed is a DLL. That is correct. To use the utility just right click on a folder of Raws like in the User Guide. Your Spybot program is wrong. We have 10s of 1000s of users with no issues. Enjoy..

I could not open a "User Guide" so am not sure what that means.

 

[RBennett]

Ok, so I'm hoping that I'm not wishing for something that's not out there but does anyone know of an easy way to view RAW files? Right now the only two things I have are Windows and Photoshop Elements 5.0. I am cataloging my photos to backup on my website for the first time and learned that I have over 13,000 pictures!! I know that's not a lot for most of you, but to see that in numbers blows me away. Now a lot of them are in RAW format and I can't easily see if I have one picture already backed up or not on my external hard drive because it does not give a preview of the picture. Other than double clicking on the file and opening it in PSE, is there another way to view RAW files? Thanks!!

 

[spinetnglr]

Ok, so I'm hoping that I'm not wishing for something that's not out there but does anyone know of an easy way to view RAW files? Right now the only two things I have are Windows and Photoshop Elements 5.0. I am cataloging my photos to backup on my website for the first time and learned that I have over 13,000 pictures!! I know that's not a lot for most of you, but to see that in numbers blows me away. Now a lot of them are in RAW format and I can't easily see if I have one picture already backed up or not on my external hard drive because it does not give a preview of the picture. Other than double clicking on the file and opening it in PSE, is there another way to view RAW files? Thanks!!

I started shooting entirely in RAW a few months ago and I found for me the easiest way to view the files is to do it in the Windows Photo Gallery. I insert my CF card into the card reader and minimize the Lightroom program that opens. Then I click START >MY COMPUTER and then find the card on my computer and double click it. For me this opens the Windows Photo Gallery. You can view and delete from there but cannot edit RAW files. As I look thru the photos I will immediately delete the ones I know are not keepers. Questionable keepers I leave there to look at more closely in Lightroom. This saves on how many pictures I am importing into Lightroom and has been working pretty well for me. You can view the RAW files stored anywhere on your computer with this program just by going to START > MY COMPUTER and then to wherever your files are stored.

 

[JoeDif]

I've been using Faststone Image Viewer.

 

[YesDear]

It cost's some money but I have really liked Photo Mechanic. You can easily open files, view them, batch rename them, quickly grade them and get rid of the non keepers. It is not an editor, but a management tool. You can download for 30 days and PM me and I can tell you how to get $10 off!

If you are going through that many pictures you will want something that is fast and easy!

 

[jann1033]

i have vista, lightroom 2 , painter x and photoshop e 5. i download to lightroom but if i open the windows photo gallery in my programs ( all programs) i click on a photo,it opens the raw file along with a "slideshow" type box that lets you scroll through the whole gallery. there is also an "open" option, top right. it lists all my programs for editing and i click on the one i want to go to so it opens there for editing. it also has some editing in the windows gallery but i have never used it. usually i download them all then go through them there since in the slide show in lightroom it is more of a hassle to delete if it's trash( maybe i don't know the easy way)
if you have an earlier windows you may need to down load the raw viewer from microsoft. iir you could then do the same viewing of the whole gallery via windows