RAW Help, please?

[aebrown]

Well, thus far in my photography life (a year ;)), I have never used RAW. Mostly its because I've yet to encounter anyone who could help me with this one problem. Every time I shoot in RAW, I can never see my images on my computer and when they download into Canon DPP the program says there is an error and shuts down...

Any advice? What is going on here? I've been told I need a RAW reader, but I have no idea what that is or where I get/download one...

Thanks everyone!

[Moppie]

Canons DPP comes in a variety of versions, the one that came with your 40D should be able to read the RAW files from your 40D.
Older versions might not be able to, unless they are updated.

Different version of Adobe photoshop can also read the RAW files, and up to date version of CS3 will have no problems.


Do you have any other programs besides DPP?
And what sort of PC do you have, if it is very old, it could be another limit factor.

[DigitalSpecialist]

Try using Photoshop, but make sure your computer is compatible with the newest version.

[c71clark]

What error does it say you have? Be sure to use the latest DPP.

[René Damkot]

DPP is known to be fussy about images edited in another application.
If you have jpg or tiff files in the folder it tries to open at startup, this might happen.

Try just dragging one Raw file onto DPP, from a folder containing only Raws.

[aebrown]

Thanks for the advice, I decided to shoot only in RAW and it worked (as opposed to RAW and JPEG) Looks like I have a picky computer (which is a 2004 HP Pavilion). I do have another editing program, ACD Photo Editor, which I don't think is too popular with professionals since it was 40 bucks at costco buuut if anyone wants to donate CS3 that would be awesome! :lol:

Thanks for all the help again, lets hope I don't have anymore problems:mad!

But while I'm at it, what is a good editing program on a budget? Should DPP be alright? I really want to get into HDR, but don't know what programs can/cannot do it...

[tzalman]

DPP is my RAW converter of preference, but for advanced editing it is inadequate. My editor is Picture Window Pro which sells for about $100 and a new version is due soon with a lot a new goodies. Also in that price range and highly thought of are Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements.

[aebrown]

Do those let me do HDR? 100 bucks sounds good to me :)