RAW Images-----Big files attached

[Herrin811]

Pro level question here.....Been fiddling around with my Nikon D80 trying to get better with it.....I love taking low-light stuff, and had a blast in the late-night snows this year....Now Im obviously shooting pics of my tank....Im getting pretty good shooting in full manual mode, but I still have alot to learn about this camera....Anyway Im wondering about RAW formatting. I've tried to read on the compression, processing, and interpolation of images, but Im way lost.....

I understand that jpg files are hugely compressed, and therefore suffer loss of quality.....And since RAW files are literally raw image data unprocessed by the camera, it must be processed on a PC....So, my 3 questions:
1. Does anyone use RAW images?
2. Is there a huge difference in quality that would be noticeable? (is it worth using)
3. What software do you use to process the RAW files?
4. Im guessing that RAW would be best if printing portraits, but jpg is best for sharing images online??


The following 2 images are tests, just to see if theres a noticeable difference..

jpg normal
f/7.1
ss-1/25th sec
44mm
ISO160
0 ev





jpg fine
same settings



It seems to me, that with all variables the same, the fine image is much lighter and more detailed....Makes me think that RAW would blow these 2 pics outta the water.....Obviously it cant post a RAW image to compare...I cant view RAW images with any of my software....So Im kinda wonderin what its all about?



Feel free to critique my images and tank!!!!

[Herrin811]

just for fun, heres my nightlights at 44mm, f/4.8 with a 5 sec shutter

[jfurg75]

I am a Portrait photographer Raw is great for printing and file quality however you have to convert the raw to jpg, tiff, ect to use it in any other programs. Online ect!! Personally i never shoot jpg anymore i like to have the ability to adjust my images without damaging them (adjustments made in Jpg formats degrade the image in general)

Good programs for Raw conversion are Aperture for Mac Users mac program great user interface

Adobe Lightroom (mac or PC) has some great features

Adobe Photoshop CS3 with Adobe Bridge Raw converter Also very good allthough not as many features as the above mentioned!!

Raw has great benefits for image quality But you will always have to convert to use online or print!!

Jeff

[jfurg75]

sorry i missed one of you questions ..... i believe you would notice a difference however the least expensive of the above mentioned programs is about $300

[dobejazz]

I am way over my head with this stuff

I just downloaded photoscape (a free editing program) that is able to convert RAW to Jpeg so you may be able to work with RAW images

I found the program from PC magazine

find.pcworld.com/606373

[jfurg75]

I know that some cameras come with a converter my lab guy says to avoid them.... however again i am working with portraits!! i would think that it really depends on your need in the end!!

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by jfurg75

I know that some cameras come with a converter my lab guy says to avoid them.... however again i am working with portraits!! i would think that it really depends on your need in the end!!

LOL I haven't yet gotton my D80 off the program setting yet !

[jfurg75]

I checked out Photoscape that looks like a great consumer grade program especially for free (from what i can tell) it just converts raw files as is which means you would loose the benifits of raw.

The main reasons to shoot raw are that the files can be adjusted prior to conversion to jpg thus not damaging the integrity of the file (as you adjust a jpg file you loose information the more adjustment the more information is lost lowering the quality of the file!)

LOL...... i am a photo geeck !!

J

[jfurg75]

TAKE IT OFF PROGRAM!!

LOL

I am a Canon Guy so i am Nikon Illiterate!!!

Jeff

[FishDaddy]

Hi, Herrin,

I like your tank images, especially the second one with the contrast between the rocks and dark, blue background.

I agree with Jeff's observations about the versatility of shooting RAW.

I shoot RAW exclusively with my Nikon D200 and D70. It gives me much more control over the finished image as I can tweak color balance, brightness, and other parameters just as if those settings were in-camera before converting to JPG. For me, getting the white balance right is the key to a realistic image. The camera's auto WB is pretty good but will miss many times. If shooting a static scene or still objects and you have time, or in a studion under controlled lighting conditions, you can use products like Expodisc or Whi-Bal to custom set the camera's WB but most of my stuff is wildlife where you just don't have time to take that step out in the field.

Your D80 has an excellent internal JPG processor and for many folks, it is sufficient for most purposes to shoot JPG, but for ultimate control, RAW is the way to go.

I use Nikon's Capture 4.4 for my converter and it is very, very good. Their latest version is Capture NX but I haven't felt the need to upgrade. You can download a trial version of NX here: http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin...i=&p_topview=1

I've tried Adobe's Lightroom and it's excellent but at nearly 3 times the price of Capture, not worth it for me.

I finish processing with Paint Shop Pro, which has just about all the features of PhotoShop at a fraction of the cost. If you are going to be real serious about photography, you might want to try PhotoShop Elements and eventually upgrade to the full PhotoShop CS3 version. It's the Gold Standard for professionals but also requires a lot of 'gold' to acquire.

Dick

[Sndwave80]

Nice!

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by jfurg75

TAKE IT OFF PROGRAM!!

LOL

I am a Canon Guy so i am Nikon Illiterate!!!

Jeff

It's sad, program mode is like a point and shoot setting

[wharyat]

Agreed with everyone.

I also only shoot raw. Hard drive space is so cheap there really isn't a reason not to. I need to have the most amount of data possible, just in case a photo needs tweaked.


I really like Adobe Lightroom, very nice and slick interface. For more advanced editing it's Photoshop CS3.


Yeah Kelli, play with the more advanced settings to really see what your cam can do.

[Herrin811]

FishDaddy, ur right about white balance.....All my tank pics turned out blue till I adjusted my white balance, now they look much more life-like......Ill try to find some kind of program to work with these, but Im glad to know that Aperture will work cause Im switching to Mac when I buy my next laptop...........

These cameras do really well in auto and program modes, but Ive always thought the settings didnt give me natural looking pics.....I got very high quality pics, but not natural looking...That why I started shooting in full manual. My nitetime pics were SSOOOOO much better after going manual it wasnt funny......

[jfurg75]

I am mac and love aperture but i also have worked with light room both are excellent and give you great results as far as program coxts if you are a student these programs can be purchased relatively cheaply food for thought!!