Thread: RAW files??

It depends on your level of photography.

HAving a RAW file is like having the negatives of a film camera. The RAW file not only stores the uncompressed image, but also stores every camera setting used when the photo was taken - not just fixed settings such as aperture, shutter speed, but also settings that can be adjusted in post processing, particularly exposure.

JPEG, on the other hand, is like getting a copy of the finished print - it's compressed by the camera, and there isn't much you can do with it in terms of adjustments.

If you want the ability to adjust your photos on the computer afterwards, I personally would use RAW format. The RAW + JPEG setting on the camera obviously gives you the best of both worlds, at a cost of storage space on the camera. But if you use RAW only, you can batch convert everything to JPEG on the computer afterwards, usually at a higher quality than your camera can do for you.

Here's a nice concise article on the benefits of using RAW format images, and whether it's for you or not...

Using Your Camera's RAW Mode | PCWorld

[edit]Double post[/edit]

RAW files as the name suggests are unprocessed and uncompressed. The camera settings are included in the file rather than applied to the image data.

The big advantage is that adjustments in editing software are made using the original sensor data without any additional changes, whereas if you adjust a jpg you are working on the modified image.

If you are happy with the pics coming off the camera and don't make changes JPEGS are probably fine. If you adjust and process your pics on computer the RAW files will give you a better end result.

cheers
Paul

In raw you will have the possibilities of recuperating (by PP in the PC) images that will be lost in jpg.
Try to use the camera in manual or in aperture priority for landscaping and shutter speed priority for wildlife.
I never use jpg.

A RAW file is complete and you have much more room to work with, a jpeg file is considered a lossy file. Ie. every save, every change, anything you do do it when you save it again you lose data.

Always shoot RAW.

Shoot RAW - Raw Conversion made easy by Thom Hogan

What camera are you using Kelvin? If it is a Nikon set the RAW to 14-bit lossless compression. As its name suggests it is lossless.

Wow thanks guys......I have been sting in manual mode for scenery pics (not that I'm a big fan of these) adjusting shutter and aperture....I haven't had a chance to download yet but I can really see the difference looking at the pics on the camera.....

I originally brought the camera to take family pics (kids sports) and brought a 70-300 lens and have pretty much used it as a point and shoot. The families of the other kids in the teams have really enjoyed the pics.......I am now starting to realize the are a while kids of other functions on the camera and am starting to get a little interested.

The camera is a Nikon D60......not sure where it sits in the range of DSLR buts its been an awesome point and shoot hehehe

I must tie the owners manual to the carry case to save frustration when I'm sitting on the beach for a week with plenty of time to learn about the camera and experiment with settings......

Amazes me the knowledge floating orotund the forum

Cheers

Now for an iPhone pic