saving raw images

[jackd]

software - canon image browser to download raw files - adobe photoshop cs to open raw images.
Is there a way to save in the raw format the image accept in the image browser. (once a # of images have been shot in raw format, is there another way to save and archive for future use when better software is available to work on these images)

[defordphoto]

Well, I never use any software to move my photos from the CF to the computer. I just treat the files as straight data and file copy them over, then I always have the original RAW files. No software can save file back out as Canon RAW files.

[DaveG]

jackd wrote:
software - canon image browser to download raw files - adobe photoshop cs to open raw images.
Is there a way to save in the raw format the image accept in the image browser. (once a # of images have been shot in raw format, is there another way to save and archive for future use when better software is available to work on these images)

I use the regular Canon downloading program -Zoombrowser. I select the images that I want and name the directory. After the download is complete I have a whole bunch of CRW files sitting in that directory.

I don't see any difficulty is treating these raw RAW files (so to speak) any differently than any other type of file. They are real, they can be moved around, and they are as permanent as any other data file. They just can't be viewed until they're converted to something else.

I guess that if I saw a potential problem for your future plans, it's that these RAW files are not only manufacturer specific, they're CAMERA specific as well. I would be a most surprised person if the 2013 version of Photoshop (or anything else) would have the algorithm needed to decode a RAW file from a 10D (or 1Ds, or dRebel or ...) so presevation of these undecoded files might prove to be a waste of time.

[leony]

DaveG wrote:
presevation of these undecoded files might prove to be a waste of time.


This is not true. It is a known fact that RAW captures a lot of data. When you convert from RAW, depending on what software you use you will retain more/less data. The goal of saving your RAW files is in hopes that in the future RAW converters will be able to retain more original data than current releases. This is very obvious if you look at the histogram of the same RAW file in say Photoshop CS and Capture-One dSLR. Hint: Look in the highlights.

Respectfully,
Leon.

[DaveG]

leony wrote:
DaveG wrote:
presevation of these undecoded files might prove to be a waste of time.


This is not true. It is a known fact that RAW captures a lot of data. When you convert from RAW, depending on what software you use you will retain more/less data. The goal of saving your RAW files is in hopes that in the future RAW converters will be able to retain more original data than current releases. This is very obvious if you look at the histogram of the same RAW file in say Photoshop CS and Capture-One dSLR. Hint: Look in the highlights.

Respectfully,
Leon.

You missed my point. I didn't say that it wasn't a good idea to save these untouched RAW files for future and better "decoders". I think that it is. But there will come a time - far too soon - where that new and improved RAW decoder will just not be able to open a file that originated with a 10D.

When the 10D first came out the Camera RAW from Adobe would not open those 10D RAW files. Someone came up with a patch to enable decoding. In the future someone else at an Adobe developer's meeting will say "We can offer these improvements but only if it's not backwards compatible with those 2003 digital cameras. Does anyone here care? OK we'll go ahead."

Then the 10D's RAW becomes an orphan, just like my Olympus film scanner, which won't run on Windows XP; and my Epson parallel port printer, which won't run on my kid's brand new "no parallel port" computer.

[clos]

Is it not true that Canon uses a proprietary RAW type format. In that the the files (with extennsion .CRW) are not truly RAW files adhering to the RAW specification. This may just be semantics so clue me in.

-Carlos

[defordphoto]

clos wrote:
Is it not true that Canon uses a proprietary RAW type format. In that the the files (with extennsion .CRW) are not truly RAW files adhering to the RAW specification. This may just be semantics so clue me in.

-Carlos

Really. So what is it then?

[clos]

RFMSports wrote:
clos wrote:
Is it not true that Canon uses a proprietary RAW type format. In that the the files (with extennsion .CRW) are not truly RAW files adhering to the RAW specification. This may just be semantics so clue me in.

-Carlos

Really. So what is it then?

I'm not following you. What is what?

Is RAW a true standard? I think Adobe came up with RAW but is this just a description of a file that contains nothing but raw data or is it truly a standard.

I wasn't trying to be a "smarty", I am truly curious.

-Clos

[DaveG]

clos wrote:
RFMSports wrote:
clos wrote:
Is it not true that Canon uses a proprietary RAW type format. In that the the files (with extennsion .CRW) are not truly RAW files adhering to the RAW specification. This may just be semantics so clue me in.

-Carlos

Really. So what is it then?

I'm not following you. What is what?

Is RAW a true standard? I think Adobe came up with RAW but is this just a description of a file that contains nothing but raw data or is it truly a standard.

I wasn't trying to be a "smarty", I am truly curious.

-Clos

My understanding is that there is NO generic RAW format. Each manufacturer has their own RAW and within that each camera requires it's own specific "decoder". It might be fine to say that Canon doesn't follow the true RAW format but no one does (if it actually exists) and we are all forced to deal with the reality of our camera's RAW not a theory.

[clos]

Thanks, and sorry if it appears that I have hijacked this post...

what I found with a google search is:

"A Photoshop Raw file is a Photoshop PSD file without a header. The header
information must be entered when the file is imported into Photoshop. The
raw format is used import and export bitmap data using a very simple,
uncompressed binary format."

A bit vague but it appears that you are correct there is no true RAW standard. Interesting.

By the way has anyone had trouble with the Adobe site it seems to have been down for a while.

-Clos

[sjprg]

This is why a copy of DCRAW should be archived with your RAW images. This "C" source code should be compileable for at least the next 100 years, even if the compilers change.

http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/

Paul

[w10d]

Going back to the original topic...

jackd wrote:
software - canon image browser to download raw files - adobe photoshop cs to open raw images.

You can use the File Browser in PS CS to view the images on your CF card (via the card reader), you will be able to see the thumbnails and preview any images (using the camera settings saved with the RAW file. You can update these settings from within the file browser and preview the result. Also you can batch re-name the files and simultaneously transfer them into a folder on your HD. I prefer this workflow to using Canon's FVU - the only thing I'd change is that when re-naming PS always defaults to the last serial number (so you mostly need to change it), whereas FVU always defaulted to the next number...

[Thomas]

jackd,

Try the BreezeBrowser.
http://www.breezesys.com/
It will do everything you ask for.
You will be able to see the content of your Canon RAW files without converting them and do all kinds of stuff. Just read the software description on this web site. I have been using the BreezeBrowser for the last two years and I find it very convenient.

Thomas