Reading mode: Light Dark

RAW or JPEG?

Go to last post
C

Central2

Active member
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
Location
Colchester, Essex, UK
As some of Panasonic's cameras have the option to shoot in the RAW image format, do you take advantage of this? Please state whether you shoot in RAW or JPEG (or indeed if your camera supports RAW) and why.

Thankies. :)
 
Hi,

I use RAW regularly with my FZ30. In fact whenever I do not need to use continuous shooting or want the extra zoom that EZ provides.

The reason I use it is that using Adobe Camera Raw as a first step in the PP process after the fact means I get a bit of a chance to correct flaws in my exposure/white balance. Given I am still a beginner there are plenty of corrections to make. Just seems to give me greater control on the look of the photo.

--
cheers
Rafael (FZ30)
http://rafael.zenfolio.com/ (referral code on my page)

 
with my FZ30, FZ50 and L1... unless I am running out of card space or need to have fast frame rate...... I love to post process my images instead of depending on the camera.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/aftab/
 
I really feel I am more likely to nail a really great shot using burst mode....its a shame Panasonic can not include a buffer in the camera.

I use Raw almost all the time with my D50 but I feel Panasonic missed the boat with their RAW.
--
------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!
 
Ok, now from the other side of the fence: I never use RAW (FZ50, FX7 and a new Tizzy). Reasons/Excuses:
  • I don't like the performance hit that I've heard mentioned.
  • I don't take pictures that are all THAT good anyway. (composition, etc)
  • I'm not very picky :)
  • I don't get around to PP'ing the all jpg's that I should
  • I don't want to learn yet ANOTHER process. I'm sure it's not TOO bad, but still.
  • I'm not convinced that I would see any improvement in MY shots. I was thinking about the HDR software, now THAT I could see improving my shots.
  • I'm just too lazy.
To the RAW people out there, "more power to ya".
 
EY2 said:
Ok, now from the other side of the fence: I never use RAW (FZ50,
FX7 and a new Tizzy). Reasons/Excuses:
  • I don't like the performance hit that I've heard mentioned.
  • I don't take pictures that are all THAT good anyway.
(composition, etc)
  • I'm not very picky :)
  • I don't get around to PP'ing the all jpg's that I should
  • I don't want to learn yet ANOTHER process. I'm sure it's not TOO
bad, but still.
  • I'm not convinced that I would see any improvement in MY shots.
I was thinking about the HDR software, now THAT I could see
improving my shots.
  • I'm just too lazy.
Click to expand...
Plus... your ego forbids it ;->
 
Don't you believe what you've seen or you've heard!

Sorry could not help myself quoting a 70's song.

No ego there anyway as far as I could see. Just someone explaining what they were thinking, in response to a request for just that. Or am I missing something ?

--
cheers
Rafael (FZ30)
http://rafael.zenfolio.com/ (referral code on my page)

 
genece said:
I really feel I am more likely to nail a really great shot using
burst mode....its a shame Panasonic can not include a buffer in the
camera.
I use Raw almost all the time with my D50 but I feel Panasonic
missed the boat with their RAW.
--
------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.
Click to expand...
Same here. I used to use burst mode all of the time but now RAW forces me to make more of an effort to get the shot right :-)
 
I believe he was referring to another thread where I was accused of letting my ego color my response to a question. It became a joke. Not a great one, but the best that my SUPERIOR INTELECT could manage. :)
 
So I guess you play Golf too? :)

(I never could get the hang of hitting a small round ball with a flat piece of metal protruding from the end of a wobbly stick)
 
I think the answer to your original questions depends on what you are doing with the pictures. In my case, where the "highest" use is normally viewing on a 60 inch HDTV, I found after making tests that there was not enough difference, if any, to justify all of the time and trouble. I would recommend making your own tests and judging the results in the end product you plan to use.
 
After careful consideration, I bought an FZ7 - smaller, lighter, and about $300 less expensive than the model that can save raw files. Plus, I did not want to be tempted to spend even more time in front of the computer, I spend enough already (although I've been told that developing a raw file can be done in a couple of clicks - but I feel certain I'd feel obligated to do the best I could with every raw image).

If money were absolutely no object I am not sure what I would have done ... probably would have gone for an FZ30.
 
I asked earlier about noise problems with the FZ50 and was reassured but several people said I should shoot raw. So I was interested in this thread and just wanted to ask more elementary questions:

How much work is involved in processing your own images. Can you batch process or does each one need the settings tweaked?

Which software is best - the one supplied with the camera, PSPX/PE4 or a specialised noise reduction programs?

I believe the FZ50 saves a JPEG along with the raw file. Is this OK to keep if you don't want to do the processing or is this just a thumbnail?

--
John
 
completelynewtodp said:
How much work is involved in processing your own images. Can you
batch process or does each one need the settings tweaked?

Which software is best - the one supplied with the camera, PSPX/PE4
or a specialised noise reduction programs?

I believe the FZ50 saves a JPEG along with the raw file. Is this
OK to keep if you don't want to do the processing or is this just a
thumbnail?
Click to expand...
1. There are two pieces of RAW software which you should consider: Adobe Camera RAW and Silkypix. ACR is a free plugin for Photoshop and a fantastic piece of software, and Silkypix comes with your camera, also a very good software (so I've heard). I've never got round to trying Silkypix, as ACR is just easy to use, fast and is a plugin for PS which is always great.

To answer your question though, ACR has a handy 'auto-adjust' feature for many settings if you're in a hurry. If you want to get the best out of your picture, from out of the camera to final result should take anything between 5 minutes and half an hour.

2. I would recommend ACR for actual editing of the picture and NeatImage for noise reduction.

3. The JPEG is saved as a 'standard' quality file, so it's kind of pointless to actually use - you might as well process the RAW for a better quality.
 
I shoot Raw with LX1 mainly because there is not much choice if you want a half decent pic. unless in b & W.
With the FZ30 I 90% shoot jpg unless its a won in a million shot.

IMO raw is over estimated, yes its good for possibly fixing/improving a badly exposed pic or if the NR of you make of camera is not too clever.. but for me...The only 3 professional photographers I know shoot JPG...but I expect they are more competent and get things right when it is most important.. when the shutter was pressed..all IMO of course
--

If I have uploaded an image don't hesitate to de-noise it, correct the WB, clone out dust and dead pixels, saturation, USM, resize, print and send me the result..
Also advice and criticise.

Kind Rgds

Heath

(The Amateur amateur in training)
Latest addition the amazing Finepix F30
LX1
FZ30
S7000(in sons hands now(sometimes))
Tcon17
Raynox DCR 150 & DCR 250 Mcon40
Nikon SB24+omnibounce
Tripod
CamCane

 
I shoot raw files to get every ounce of detail that I can. I also like the degree of control that I have in SilkyPix. Eddy
--
My motto: Photographers should be seen and not heard.
FZ50, UZI, B-300
 
I bought the FZ50 some six weeks ago and have just started experimenting with RAW after trying to learn all the jpeg settings and what the camera can do. What I have recently realized for is that I will try to shoot RAW at all ISO above 100 and at ISO 100 in low light, as even all settings on low smears too much with jpeg when using higher ISO. The software that came with the camera, Silkypix, seems very very good and has lots of possibilities and at the same time seems easy to use. I believe I will also shoot more RAW in good conditions - at least if I think I have a special "Panasonic moment" on my hands, as there is no doubt I can get a better result from RAW than in-camera processing. However, for the most part, at ISO 100 and good light I believe I will stick to jpeg to enable burst mode, Extended Zoom, and smaller files (=fewer memory cards).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top