Do you use RAW file processing?

[Ian]

I'm interested to know who widespread the use of RAW file processing is so here is a quick poll to help find out

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I'm definately a Raw only user. For me I have absolutely no need for a set of JPEGS as well as the Raw file. I only select the Raw files I want and process only those. Often discarding the ones not processed. However I can see that with personal work it is often good to keep all that are not obvious no hopers.

[Ian]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I shoot RAW and JPEG at the same time. With JPEG recorded as SRGB I can view thumbnails of all my shots with any image viewer and the JPEGs are a fast and easy way to make low resolution images for online use and for distributing to others. I may also switch RAW off if I find myself running out of card space

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I shoot RAW and JPEG at the same time. With JPEG recorded as SRGB I can view thumbnails of all my shots with any image viewer and the JPEGs are a fast and easy way to make low resolution images for online use and for distributing to others. I may also switch RAW off if I find myself running out of card space

Ian

Which only goes to prove that your own favoured workflow/need is the best control of what method you use. I would do what best fitted the circumstances I suppose.

[Pol]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I use RAW by default.

There's no option to shoot RAW + Jpeg on my *istD and the PEF files are huge at about 12-13Mb so I convert them to DNG for archiving.

I do occasionally switch over to jpg if I'm after birds in flight and shooting continuously. I do that because I can only get about 2.8 fps and the jpgs don't clog up the buffer rate as much as the RAW files do. I rather have all the shots in RAW though, better for processing.

Pol

[Ian]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I use RAW by default.

There's no option to shoot RAW + Jpeg on my *istD and the PEF files are huge at about 12-13Mb so I convert them to DNG for archiving.

I do occasionally switch over to jpg if I'm after birds in flight and shooting continuously. I do that because I can only get about 2.8 fps and the jpgs don't clog up the buffer rate as much as the RAW files do. I rather have all the shots in RAW though, better for processing.

Pol

You make a good point Pol - RAW can slow some cameras down significantly - thought not, I expect, Stephen's Canon EOS-1D MkIIn

Ian

[Pol]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

You make a good point Pol - RAW can slow some cameras down significantly - thought not, I expect, Stephen's Canon EOS-1D MkIIn

Ian

I try not to think about that 1D MkIIn or I cry myself to sleep

I was originally blasting off in RAW until someone from BF (birdforum) happened to mention how jpg was sometimes better as you could get more flight shots more quickly -- more binned but also a better chance of at least getting the shots and therefore a better chance of getting a keeper. Mind you - I hasten to add I'm not exactly a crack shot whatever I use

I do stick with RAW if at all possible though. I'm now considering loading David's camera as well as my own - then quickly swapping over cameras as one buffer fills. I haven't suggested that to him yet but I think he might be willing to oblige.

I mean - it's a better, quicker and cheaper and an altogether softer option than me raiding the savings, grabbing a MkIIn and some super-duper lenses and learning how to use it and asking him to help me carry it all about after he's driven me to a suitable location and set up 'camp' ...... isn't it?


Pol

[bigbob]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I tend to use jpeg as default but if i see an image i know i'll keep i flick the camera on to Raw+fine jpeg .
Only times i use RAW exclusivly are weddings (not my pics so the best quality is called for) or when the lighting is problamatical so i can alter W/B to suit .
I reckon 8 out 10 of shots are jpegs though , mostly because the qualities so good , the RAW file sizes are so big and the post editing takes a lot longer , even batching with actions does'nt cut it because a lot of shots take individual editing .
These are of course personal views and a lot depends on how different cameras produce jpegs , my Fuji S3 and Nikon D2X produce good quality jpegs straight out the camera .

B..

[Ian]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I tend to use jpeg as default but if i see an image i know i'll keep i flick the camera on to Raw+fine jpeg .
Only times i use RAW exclusivly are weddings (not my pics so the best quality is called for) or when the lighting is problamatical so i can alter W/B to suit .
I reckon 8 out 10 of shots are jpegs though , mostly because the qualities so good , the RAW file sizes are so big and the post editing takes a lot longer , even batching with actions does'nt cut it because a lot of shots take individual editing .
These are of course personal views and a lot depends on how different cameras produce jpegs , my Fuji S3 and Nikon D2X produce good quality jpegs straight out the camera .

B..

And of course Pentax now has a dedicated 'RAW' button on the exterior case of the the new K10D for instant switching to RAW mode - the Samsung GX10 is the same.

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

If I select raw then, by default, I get jpg and raw. I have only 4 x 512mb cards at the moment and I can fill those in minutes.
It's more the curiosity factor that makes me switch to raw. I don't have dedicated raw software, just the camera software version.

[Stephen]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

If you use Raw, as I do, and often want to fire off a few in quick succession, but then find the buffer filling and you having to stop. It really does pay to use a fast card. At present I use Extreme III's and the SD one in preference to the CF card that my camera uses. They really do make a heck of difference. TBH I rarely fill my buffer, as its pretty big, but I recently had occasion to put a standard cheapo 7dayshop SD card in and was staggered how long it took for the write light to go off. Needless to say they are only used for emergencies, as downloading to the PC seems to take an age too.

[devilgas]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

RAW only unless i'm shooting rallies in which case jpeg suffices (as mentioned numerous times before ;-))

[Pops]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

Thanks for that Stephen. I keep promising myself a larger card and will keep the speed factor in mind when I eventually get around to it.

[Archangel]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I'm not too much into post-processing and certainly not at all a great Photoshopist! I shoot jpeg most of the time and raw in special occasions, mostly in low lighting. So I use RAW only when I think it is needed.


Regards
George

[Stephen]

Re: Do you use RAW file processing?

I was covering a World Championship athletics meeting today and for the first time, in a long time, I decided to use JPEG capture, largely due to the volume of images I was taking and to negat the need for regular card swapping etc. I have to say it was all a tad scary

Its actually taken as much effort and time to adjust images than If I had used Raw, though obviously the vast majority needed little or nothing doing to them.

I'm afraid I have to admit to liking the comfort zone that Raw offers me