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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Software that came with your Canon DSLR (Rebel)
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06/27/2004 09:50:01 AM · #1
Morning all! I would like to know if any of you use the software (besides PS Elements) that came with your Canon DSLR, particularly the 300D. Do you like it? Is it worth installing? Thanks!
06/27/2004 10:07:41 AM · #2
Yes, you should install the software to view, convert your RAW files from the camera.
06/27/2004 10:12:39 AM · #3
I think it's definitely worth shooting in RAW mode. You get a lot better control over the white balance, and can better compensate for exposures that are a little off. But doing so requires some tool to convert from RAW to TIFF or JPEG. The software that came with the camera can do this if you don't have anything better. I personally didn't like having to wait for the software to reconvert the image whenever I made a tiny adjustment, so I purchased C1 Rebel from Phase One. (They don't offer that particular product any more, but all of their other C1 products support the Rebel.) I find it a lot easier to use, and never use the Canon software anymore.
06/27/2004 10:17:15 AM · #4
I like to use PS CS for my RAW processing. So other than that, what else does the software offer that you find valuable?
06/27/2004 10:20:29 AM · #5
I tend to find my 300D so slow writing RAWs that I practically never use. Especially for sports shooting. It may just be me, but I'd rather improve my photography so I correctly expose the shot in the first place, rather than have to resort to rescuing my shots afterwards.
06/27/2004 10:33:14 AM · #6
You should definitely strive for good exposure in camera, Paul. But I think most folks use the RAW format simply to get a better digital negative (i.e. no compression) in the first place. Am I right?
06/27/2004 10:58:19 AM · #7
I find Canon's sofware slow and nearly unusable. I use C1 for RAW and PSE 2.0 for tweaking. About the only thing that the Canon SW is good for is extracting the embedded .jpg from the RAW file and since I don't do that very often, the Canon SW is little used.


06/27/2004 11:00:48 AM · #8
Originally posted by digistoune:

You should definitely strive for good exposure in camera, Paul. But I think most folks use the RAW format simply to get a better digital negative (i.e. no compression) in the first place. Am I right?

I find the highest quality jpeg adequate for reasonably large prints I sell. You definitely get better quality out of RAW, but the difference I've yet to see.
06/27/2004 11:18:58 AM · #9
I use RAW for finer control over the white balance than is possible in-camera, and because the 12 bit/pixel allows higher quality Levels/Curves adjustments. Certainly proper exposure is important; areas that are burned out can't be fixed by any postprocessing method whether RAW or JPEG is used.

But RAW files are twice the size of JPEG files (using the "large fine" setting). The increased write speed can make a difference in situations such as sports shooting, as Paul mentioned. And, of course, you can fit twice as many JPEG photos on the card. The quality difference is not visible unless postprocessing is needed. If you don't use RAW, you don't need the Canon software.

Note that the memory card can make a big difference with the speed. I use SanDisk "ultra II" cards, which are about twice as fast as the SanDisk "standard" cards. Other manufacturer's cards vary; I've not tried any.
06/27/2004 11:20:55 AM · #10
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I find Canon's sofware slow and nearly unusable.


Unfortunately, that does seem to be case with freebie software, huh? I might try the viewer software. I am using the file browser in PS CS exclusively right now but sometimes it would be nice to not have to wait for the program to open when I just want to look at some pics, ya know?

Otherwise, I would appreciate advice on a viewer utility for both Mac (besides iPhoto) & Windows.
06/27/2004 11:59:39 AM · #11
There is one good use that has not yet been mentioned:
Canon's 'File viewer utility' has the option to show which focal points were used during actual shooting AND it detects the signal from the rotation transducer and does an automatic lossless rotate if you had the camera rotated over 90 degrees during shooting.
06/27/2004 12:19:30 PM · #12
Originally posted by digistoune:

I am using the file browser in PS CS exclusively right now but sometimes it would be nice to not have to wait for the program to open when I just want to look at some pics, ya know?

If you're using Photoshop CS that can open RAW files directly, I believe.
06/27/2004 12:50:30 PM · #13
Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by digistoune:

I am using the file browser in PS CS exclusively right now but sometimes it would be nice to not have to wait for the program to open when I just want to look at some pics, ya know?

If you're using Photoshop CS that can open RAW files directly, I believe.


Yes, it will. Like I said, I'm looking for something faster for the simple viewing of pics specifically when I'm downloading to my husband's laptop (Windows) when I am out of town.
06/27/2004 01:12:46 PM · #14
IrfanView allows you to view CRWs (download the appropriate plugin too).

If you want to view your CRWs as thumbnails in Explorer, have a look at thread on robgalbraith.com. Unfortunately, I see that the crw_thumbnailer.zip is not available anymore. Also mentioned in that thread is the very similar RawThumbs (included in PhotoXlorer. I prefer crw_thumbnailer myself, but RawThumbs supports rotation and has a snazzier interface.

Message edited by author 2006-03-02 21:17:11.
06/27/2004 01:52:57 PM · #15
I've used Breeze Browser for image viewing, sorting and tagging ever since I got my first digicam back in 2002. I have yet to find a program I like better overall (although I do use ACDSee sometimes as well).

For raw editing I use PS CS, the Canon raw software is a slow piece of crap.
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