Need your opinioin please

[Denise40]

I have never shot in RAW before and I have read thousands of posts that that is the best way to shoot. My question is this, since I have never shot using RAW, would I be taking a risk this weekend of using RAW for my dd homecoming predance pics? I don't want to mess up and not have any photos at all? Any ideas would be appreciated.

[the.digital.guy]

Use Raw and Lg Jpeg...........That way you'll have both.You can then experiment with Raw.

[crn3371]

If you're concerned, why not shoot raw and jpeg. You don't state which camera you're using, but most, if not all, give you the option of shooting raw only, or simultaneously recording a jpeg image along with the raw. Shoot both if you're nervous.

[Denise40]

Sorry about that. I need to list my equip in my profile. I have a Canon Rebel XT. How do you go from RAW to Jpg?

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Rumjungle]

Besides the many advantages, the two main drawbacks to shooting RAW are:

1) filesizes are larger
2) requires an extra step at the computer (raw conversion)

Besides those two things, you've got nothing to lose and several things to gain. If you're nailing your jpeg exposures, then don't worry about it. RAW files allow for more room to play (whether it's for fixing an exposure or getting creative with it).

[Rumjungle]

Sorry about that. I need to list my equip in my profile. I have a Canon Rebel XT. How do you go from RAW to Jpg?

Thanks for the quick reply.

They're talking about shooting both simultaneously. Go to the menu, quality, and select RAW+L (i think). The drawback to this is that it uses up the most space as you'll be recording both a RAW and a large Jpeg image for every picture that you take.

[crn3371]

Raw + large jpeg is the only option on the XT. The 20/30/40D series let you choose the size of the accompanying jpeg, the XT just gives you large. As Rumjungle mentioned, the downside is that it eats up a lot of memory. All of this should be explained in your manual, along with approx. number of shots you'll get in each format. This is from my old Magic Lantern Guide. Figures are for a 512mb card.
Large jpeg = 3.3mb = 145 shots
Raw = 8.3mb = 58 shots
Raw + L = 41 shots

[Denise40]

Yes, I looked at my manual after reading this. Thanks for the info. Now, I need to read up on RAW and how to use it with photoshop. Since I won't be taking a whole lot of pics for her homecoming, I will be ok with using both sizes. Will they both come up together when I upload them? Sorry for sounding dumb.

[bacchanal]

I never shoot raw+jpeg, so I don't know the answer to your question...I assume it's just two files with a similar name. But the great thing about raw is that you can keep your files around and improve them as you learn more about processing. I started shooting raw when I switched to a dslr, and at first I didn't even know that they need sharpening. I don't know if my processing has gotten much better...but it is certainly different than when I fist started!;)