SC: Canon Digital Photo Professional

10/07/2005 05:33:42 PM · #1

When I edit RAW files with this software which came along with my 350D, the program asks me whether I want to save the changes to the RAW files (WB, exposure). Are this additional informations affecting the legality of the RAW file for challenge verification? I'm in doubt, because the EXIF data remains, and since it's a RAW file, no data is lost.
Maybe someone from the Site Council could help me with this. I could provide out-of-camera and 'edited' versions for comparison.

10/07/2005 05:54:21 PM · #2

When in doubt, save a copy of the RAW file before working with it. If the RAW file or original JPEG are modified in ANY way (even a "save" with no changes), then by definition it's no longer an original.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/07/2005 06:05:45 PM · #3

I won't save the settings for RAW conversion with the files then. I can't keep two copies of every RAW file, I'd have to burn far to many DVDs.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

10/07/2005 06:10:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by gloda:

I can't keep two copies of every RAW file, I'd have to burn far to many DVDs.

you've got to be kidding. where's your sense of commitment?

gaurawa

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/07/2005 06:11:46 PM · #5

I think even photoshop also writes the setting in the RAW file and the next time you open up, you get the same settings as you previous jpeg conversion. This hasn't let to any DQ for me.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

10/07/2005 06:14:00 PM · #6

Originally posted by gaurawa:

This hasn't let to any DQ for me.

they're just waiting for you to ribbon again...then you'll find out if you've just been getting away with it.

Message edited by author 2005-10-07 18:14:22.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/07/2005 06:16:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by gaurawa:

I think even photoshop also writes the setting in the RAW file

Depending on how you have Photoshop configured, it either saves your "raw settings" in a central database or in a "sidecar" .XMP file. The raw file itself is never updated.

Capture One also records any raw settings into a separate file for each image, as does Bibble Pro.

It would be easy to check if DPP actually recorded your raw settings directly in the file; just look at the "Modified" date/time of the file before and after adjusting the raw settings.

Even if DPP did record the raw settings directly into the file, there would have to be a special "section" or "segment" in the raw file just for this data (since all they are are adjsutment values; the actual pixel data is never changed). I'm fairly certain the file would be valid as "proof", but that's just my opinion.

Message edited by author 2005-10-07 18:30:36.

10/07/2005 06:18:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by gloda:

I can't keep two copies of every RAW file...

Well, of course not. Just set aside copies of your potential entries before you work on them. When you enter the challenge, you'll know which file to keep and you can trash the rest.

10/07/2005 06:35:38 PM · #9

Originally posted by EddyG:

Even if DPP did record the raw settings directly into the file, there would have to be a special "section" or "segment" in the raw file just for this data (since all they are are adjsutment values; the actual pixel data is never changed). I'm fairly certain the file would be valid as "proof", but that's just my opinion.

Could an SC give a statement on this part?

10/07/2005 06:36:22 PM · #10

Originally posted by EddyG:

Even if DPP did record the raw settings in the file, since there is no way to alter the pixel data or the date/time the image was captured, I'm fairly certain the file would be valid as "proof"...

This was the subject of recent SC discussion, and files modified by ANY software are not considered originals. For validation purposes, the file must be exactly as your camera recorded it. We're working on a way to help people with this issue. Meanwhile... when in doubt, save a copy!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/07/2005 06:41:46 PM · #11

Thanks for the swift answers. I will keep untouched originals for potential challenge submissions.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/07/2005 06:43:47 PM · #12

Originally posted by scalvert:

This was the subject of recent SC discussion, and files modified by ANY software are not considered originals.

Bah. I would've argued firmly against such a decision, as I believe that Nikon's software does record raw setting adjustments directly to a special location in the file, and has absolutely no effect on the rest of the data...

gaurawa

10/07/2005 06:48:03 PM · #13

Originally posted by EddyG:

Originally posted by gaurawa:
I think even photoshop also writes the setting in the RAW file

Depending on how you have Photoshop configured, it either saves your "raw settings" in a central database or in a "sidecar" .XMP file. The raw file itself is never updated.

I am not sure about this, but when I open up my RAW file the second time I can see settings like "Exposure +0.2" "Brightness +50" and similar settings in properties window ( exif data )