stupid question - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/27/2008 07:26:24 PM · #1

ok i have a rebel xti. how do i shoot in RAW? is this something i should be doing?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/27/2008 07:36:28 PM · #2

RAW is a quality setting.

Whether you should shoot in RAW or not is very subjective. Just do a search on the RAW vs jpeg discussion in the forums and on the internet. You'll find plenty of pros and cons.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/27/2008 07:36:43 PM · #3

I just began shooting RAW and wouldn't go back to JPEG if you paid me!

If your camera has RAW capability, it will tell you when you go to choose a format to shoot in, ie Small, Medium, Large and RAW. All you have to do is select RAW. Keep in mind that RAW gobbles up space and needs to be converted to PSD, so you can post-process it, then convert it to JPEG for challenges.

Also, if your camera can handle RAW, there should be an area in the user's manual. And make sure you have some form of RAW conversion software.

Hope this helps! :-)

rlewis

Canon EOS-40D

07/27/2008 07:45:24 PM · #4

Whether to shoot in RAW is your decision. RAW gives you the ability to change a lot of things about the image that JPEG does not. It is a much larger file so your memory card will hold fewer images. You also have to have software that can manipulate the RAW image. You should have got Canon's Digital Photo Professional with the camera. It has that ability. I think most people who are serious about photography shoot in RAW.

On the XTI, it is only available in the "creative Zone" (P, TV, AV, M, A-Dep). To switch to capture in RAW, hit your menu button, go to the tab with the camera image and "1". The first option in the list below is "Quality". Move to "Quality" and you will see RAW on the bottom right. You use the dial with the set button in the middle to move through the menus and down to Quality. Once you have moved the highlighted marker to RAW, hit "set" to change the setting in your camera.

Message edited by author 2008-07-27 20:29:22.

07/27/2008 07:46:27 PM · #5

so according to my manual RAW and L with a 1/4-circle-sign are the same quality.... get what im saying?

rlewis

Canon EOS-40D

07/27/2008 07:57:24 PM · #6

The one on the bottom left with RAW and the quarter moon and "L" is dual capture. It saves both a large JPEG file and a RAW file. That really eats your memory and unless you have a specific reason to want both files, I wouldn't use it.

My XTi only saves one size RAW file. It saves several sizes of JPEG files.

07/27/2008 08:01:02 PM · #7

Originally posted by rlewis:

so what setting would you suggest? i was just messing around with the RAW and it seems like its not really worth it to me.. what are really the benifits? i guess im not getting it...

roba

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

07/27/2008 08:02:57 PM · #8

A quick Google search turns up some interesting discussions.

Also, do a search in the forums - you'll find tons of hits like this post.
Once you shoot RAW, you'll likely not turn back. It allows for some quick minor exposure corrections, and just becomes a part of your workflow. You can use Canon's DPP (that came with your XTi), but you'll find greater functionality out of Lightroom or Camera RAW.

Oh, and there's no chance that the "quality" of your RAW file will be that of a 1/4 JPG. It essentially gives you the raw data from the sensor (unless it's mini-RAW format, which I don't think the XTi does).

Search around for RAW workflow... there's some great tips.

Try it - you just might like it :O) Good luck!

bassbone

Nikon Z8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

07/27/2008 08:04:00 PM · #9

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:

so what setting would you suggest? i was just messing around with the RAW and it seems like its not really worth it to me.. what are really the benifits? i guess im not getting it...

RAW provides more flexibility with regards to adjusting white balance and exposure in post processing. It can be more work, but can be very useful if you want flexibility

Message edited by author 2008-07-27 20:04:12.

07/27/2008 08:05:18 PM · #10

ok everyone i'll try it for a few days. thanx everyone:)