Shooting in RAW format

Fatback

Fatback

VIP Member
My new camera will allow me to shoot in RAM format and I was wondering what is the best software to use. The camera comes with it's own software but seems like there would be something better or is it all the same? Also I know shooting in RAW will make my images better but wouldn't when I compress them to JPEG make them just the same as shooting in JPEG? I have goggled a couple of times looking for a good beginners type guide to shooting in RAW can't seem to find much if you know of any that would be good.

Also why I got you're attention I have been looking for some good NR(Noise Reduction) software. Can anybody recommend anything.
 
Every camera uses a different algorithm for interpreting its raw data, so generally speaking its not a bad idea at all to just use what the manufacturer gave you. although some people like lightroom or ps etc etc as it saves time when doing alot of editing. The raw files allow you to adjust white balance and several other things without any loss of data. Which sounds nice but really your eyes wont see the difference between a raw file and a jpeg file. When you shoot jpeg the camera uses whatever settings you have set on the camera to take the pic. For example if you set your camera to tungsten lighting white balance but were shooting in sunlight the color tones would be off. If you were using raw than you could post process it without any loss of data by changing the wb to sunlight since all that info is still there, if you shot using jpeg than you dont have that data to change it to sunlight. Thats not saying that you couldnt edit the photo, but just that theres more to work with in raw. If all your settings are correct when taking a photo than shooting jpeg is just fine. There is alot of good nr software if your willing to spend the money. Alot of people like noise ninja i ahvent used it. I do really like Imagenomics software, especially portraiture. As for free ones i dont remember any off the top of my head, sorry.
 
elitejp said:
Every camera uses a different algorithm for interpreting its raw data, so generally speaking its not a bad idea at all to just use what the manufacturer gave you. although some people like lightroom or ps etc etc as it saves time when doing alot of editing. The raw files allow you to adjust white balance and several other things without any loss of data. Which sounds nice but really your eyes wont see the difference between a raw file and a jpeg file. When you shoot jpeg the camera uses whatever settings you have set on the camera to take the pic. For example if you set your camera to tungsten lighting white balance but were shooting in sunlight the color tones would be off. If you were using raw than you could post process it without any loss of data by changing the wb to sunlight since all that info is still there, if you shot using jpeg than you dont have that data to change it to sunlight. Thats not saying that you couldnt edit the photo, but just that theres more to work with in raw. If all your settings are correct when taking a photo than shooting jpeg is just fine. There is alot of good nr software if your willing to spend the money. Alot of people like noise ninja i ahvent used it. I do really like Imagenomics software, especially portraiture. As for free ones i dont remember any off the top of my head, sorry.
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I have been doing a good bit of research lately so most of this I already knew but thinks anyways. I have decided that it's probably not a good time for me to start using RAW as I'm still new and should probably worry more about taking good pictures. I'm not big on editing my pictures just the basic stuff like contrast, saturation, vibrance, clarity, etc. So I guess I don't really see much use for shooting in RAW at the moment.

I tired the trial version of Noise Ninja a few days ago but couldn't figure out how to work it. I might have to resort to some kind of users guide to learn the program before I buy it. I already have both PS and LR so if I can figure it out will make a nice addition to my editing software.
 
Fatback said:
I have been doing a good bit of research lately so most of this I already knew but thinks anyways. I have decided that it's probably not a good time for me to start using RAW as I'm still new and should probably worry more about taking good pictures. I'm not big on editing my pictures just the basic stuff like contrast, saturation, vibrance, clarity, etc. So I guess I don't really see much use for shooting in RAW at the moment.

I tired the trial version of Noise Ninja a few days ago but couldn't figure out how to work it. I might have to resort to some kind of users guide to learn the program before I buy it. I already have both PS and LR so if I can figure it out will make a nice addition to my editing software.
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Well eithor youve learned alot since you first asked the question or your just making it too complicated. I shoot raw when I have enough space on the card and when i think i will do alot of editing, otherwise shooting jpeg is just fine. And shooting raw is the same as shooting jpeg except that you get to choose the settings after the fact. Go here and download the free trial of potraiture or noiseware http://www.imagenomic.com/ I like these both alot and its really easy to use. The one benefit of using adobe raw in ps4 for pp is that you have a slider that can bring back burned highlights (although I forget what that slider is named) and that is very useful.
 
elitejp said:
Well eithor youve learned alot since you first asked the question or your just making it too complicated. I shoot raw when I have enough space on the card and when i think i will do alot of editing, otherwise shooting jpeg is just fine. And shooting raw is the same as shooting jpeg except that you get to choose the settings after the fact. Go here and download the free trial of potraiture or noiseware http://www.imagenomic.com/ I like these both alot and its really easy to use. The one benefit of using adobe raw in ps4 for pp is that you have a slider that can bring back burned highlights (although I forget what that slider is named) and that is very useful.
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Well there was 3 days between the time I asked my question and the time you answered. Besides I already new a lot about RAW and what it's used for I just have never used it myself and was wonder what would be the best software. Thanks for the link that software is nice and easy to use. Although the trial version is useless as it puts a grid over my photo. I will probably buy it if I can't find anything else.

Thanks for you help so far:)
 
When shooting RAW the camera may also proccess the picture as a jpg at the same time. So basically when you look to download the pictures to your computer you will get the RAW file and a ready processed jpg too. That way you don't have to worry about post processing problems, it gives you the chance to mess about with the RAW file and see what you can do knowing that the original picture is already in jpg if needed
 
jimmymac said:
When shooting RAW the camera may also proccess the picture as a jpg at the same time. So basically when you look to download the pictures to your computer you will get the RAW file and a ready processed jpg too. That way you don't have to worry about post processing problems, it gives you the chance to mess about with the RAW file and see what you can do knowing that the original picture is already in jpg if needed
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Yea this is a feature on most cameras that shoot RAW although I'm not sure if mine has it. I need to get the manual out and read it there is still a lot I don't know about it.
 
ya i wasnt trying to be a jerk when answering your question cause i went through the same process of being utterly confused and once I started using it I found that its really quite simple...hands on helps so much. Im now going through this same confused process for buying a flash:confused: If jimmy is refering to shooting raw+jpeg you should be able to do that. Just go into menu, the first choice that looks like a camera icon and there is a quality setting and you should be able to select the camera to shoot both.
 
No worries its all good:) I shot most of my photos yesterday and today in RAW. My camera doesn't have a setting to choose if I wont just RAW or RAW+JPEG it just does RAW+JPEG when ever I choose RAW. Being able to change my white balance is very useful especially when shooting out doors as I often choose the wrong WB. So yea using it and seeing that there is really nothing to it is all it really took. I can't use it all the time though because when shooting RAW I can't use burst mode or digital zoom. Luckily the menu button is just a click away. Now that I got this RAW thing worked out I can focus my attention on finding a fisheye lens:D

BTW thanks for the link I bought the whole suit for $300 its really good software. I am in love with noiseware now I can shoot at higher ISOs and know that at least I can make my photos presentable.
 
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