Downloading RAW images

Hi Again!

I think there could be an element of user error going on here. Yes, when you originally posted you were so vague and it is difficult to assist you. We don't know the complete story. We can presume XYZ, but the problem could be elsewhere ie ABC.

I always use the Canon software and download direct from the camera. I download from the viewer and I see "Jpeg & Raw" on the screen. Under each photo I see CR2, Ie RAW. However, when I connect, sometimes my camera goes to sleep and I have to wake it by pressing the shutter button. On doing that I see the EOS 20D come alive. Under it I see DCIM which I open up an I see my photo files on the card, ie, 118CANON in my case. All this is in the Canon Viewer utility. I then drag the folder into where I want the photos to be located in the future and then it starts to download.

Upon completion of downloading and if I wanted to work on the RAW I then go into Canon's Digital Photo Professional and open the photo and I am in RAW. If you say you have downloaded the Jpegs, you should have downloaded the RAWs also. I do split my files into Jpeg and Raws for convenience.

You do not say what type of PC you have? XP, or like myself MAC or Windows 98. If you are in doubt about the software, I would download it to your work PC and if you get the same results, then you may indeed have duff software. However, the same could still be applied, as it could be user error- you could be doing something wrong afterall. What Canon viewer do you have, on my MAC I use 1.1.0.16 and it works fine. I have no idea what version you should have with Windows.

Mstar

PS, try and do a search for ".CR2" files and see if you can find some on your PC.

OK...time for me again....but I have to say that most of what you guys are saying is going way over my head...but.......
Normally with jpeg pics I connect the camera to the USB port and get a "copying " box on screen which states that it is working out the download time and then downloads the pics. the camera itself flashes " busy " while this is going on. If I try to download a RAW image, the " copying " box just flashes " calculating downlaod time " forever and nothing happens...and the camera doesnt indicate " busy". If I have an image that is RAW+jpeg, I get the same stages I get with jpeg images but it only downlads the jpeg. I have searched for CR2 files and found none and also have tried using RAWshhoter to locate RAW files but without success.

Hopkins -- What OS are you using? Windows XP? Macintosh? Windows 98? Something else?

What application puts that "Copying" box up there? Windows? MAC OS? Zoom Browser?

What mode are you taking the photos, because you may think you are taking RAWs, when in fact you are not possibly. I don't think you ever have been! For example, you have not told us the mode you took the photos- this means although you have set the camera for RAW & JPEG, if you use the basic point and shot settings,ie the Green box or the landscape, or portrait then these photos NEVER produce RAWS, just JPEGS. If you use TV or AV or M or P then you get what you asked for - RAWS & JEPGS.

You tell us all that you have searched for CR2 files on your hard disc and found none, but, for 4 months you used successfully the card reader, so you must have them on your hard disc, unless you used this fabulous camera incorrectly.

RTFM!

If you think what we are all trying to help you is above your head, you have bought yourself a fantastic market changing camera that is way above your skills- this camera is aimed at leading Amateurs and is a back-up for professionals. You need to raise your own game and I am sure this would be a great challenge for you. The manual is in a PDF form and is always accessible and I could direct you to specific pages, but, I feel you should tell us where you are looking at, so, if you are incorrect, we could then guide you a bit more.

Mstar

I'm using windows XP.I'm shooting in mode P. I have never used a card-reader but my IT-trainer friend uses a card-reader with her pc+20D....she can download with the reader but not direct from the camera..same as me. RTFM...what does that mean? my manual is not in pdf...it's in book-form...and assumes a considerable amount of prior knowledge that retired/non-computer-literate/fools such as myself don't have. I think it is best summed up by a previous reply on this forum in which it was suggested that I tried the software on my work pc to see if that was any better...I have never used a pc at work in my life.

hopkins - is it possible that you are not waiting long enough for the downloads?
you state that you are getting the "busy" signal and then nothing happens.
how long are you waiting before you get jack of it?
the problem is more likely with your computer set-up than the camera software if you are getting the busy signal. this indicates that the two are in fact talking right?

ok, you have an I.T. expert helping you.
did you check some obvious things? like hard disk space?
canon software settings - meaning the location that it is trying to send the photos to? you may have lots of hard disk space overall, but if your hard drive is partitioned and the canon software is trying to send your pics to a location with insufficient space it will obviously be a problem.

i just connected my 300D to my laptop. had my 300d for several years, laptop only about a year. the two have never met before (always use a card reader me).
plugged in the cable
xp saw new hardware
didn't ask for any disks
few seconds later - ready for use
unplugged - took some snaps - plugged back in
dialog box came up - clicked ok to download
later, did a search through fle manager - saw the camera - saw the different canon folders - saw the raw files (crw in my case)

i think you need to take your time, start again, and instead of blaming the canon software that seems to work for many others (albeit slowly), have a look at your pc

and after you get it all working..... go get a card reader - much quicker

Hopkins, i found exactly the same frustrations, just decided not to bother - I'm too damn lazy. I had no trouble with JPEG images but the PC could not see the RAW files.
i queried the whole thing on the post-processing section of the forum, and there as here the advice was to get a card reader.
I don't know how much your time is worth to you, but since i got the card reader and could download the RAW files, I also discovered that having to process 100 RAW images , as well as the filing hassles of having RAW + JPEG - was simply too much pain in the rear. I now only shoot RAW for 'special' pictures like when I have gone to a lot of trouble to set up a landscape trip, or a special portrait, that sort of thing. and there is NO way I'd spend time processing a card full of images either. If I shoot RAW, I shoot like there is film in the camera. My free time is very limited, and what there is of it I prefer not to spend on PP any more than I have to.
And I certainly can't be bothered struggling with the software Canon supplied with my camera either.
This hobby costs so much if you take it seriously, a card reader is practically free.

jhopkins

You really need to carefully follow the steps in the EOS Digital Software manual that came with you 20D. If you don't, you're going to continue to be frustrated.

1. As shown on page W-8, set the communication on your camera to NORMAL. PTP should work with Win XP, but frankly I've never used that method. NORMAL along with the following procedure should work fine.

2. Connect that camera to you computer as shown on page W-9.

3. As shown on page W-14, it is essential that you click CANCEL when the dialog box pops up after connecting your camera to your computer.

4. Open EOS Viewer Utility (page W-14)

5. In EOS Viewer Utility select View(V) from the top menu bar, then ensure that "Folder Tree" is checked.

For 6 and 7 see page W-18 to W-19

6. Click on the icon of the camera called EOS 20D in the EOS Viewer Utility folder tree (at the top). Click on the sub-folders, one which may be called "1" and the next sub-folder called DCIM. Under DCIM the folders containing your images will show.

7. Drag the image folder which will be called something like 151Canon to somewhere on your hard drive where you want the images stored. Until you do this, the images are still only on the camera CF card.

The above instructions have to be followed carefully to transfer your images directly from the camera. Trying to do it any other way is just going to result in a lot of frustration, so if you have trouble understanding the above you would be much better off getting a card reader.

Thanks to all of you for your help. A lot of what you were saying bore little relation to what was showing on my screen, so I visited the Canon website and found a new driver to download.....and now I can download RAW files !! Given that I had to register ownership of the camera with Canon ( including my email address ) , I don't see why they couldn't have told me ( and all the other users) about the availability of new drivers. Anyway, like all of you , I now see what a laborious process it is downloading from the camera and will be buying a card-reader...but at least I managed to get it to do what it was supposed to do...albeit with a lot of assistance from you guys....thanks !!

oorah!!

well done cobber

This is a great read. I'm really glad that no one really flamed the OP*, illustrating clearly that those who post here are mature and helpful.


/applaud


* Which highlights the quality of forums I usually visit.

[pounds chest like King Kong] I would NEVER say I told you so - just go read Post #19 in this thread!!! [/pounds chest like King Kong]

Just teasing..but I am very glad you resolved the problem. Having been a senior IT manager for over 30 years, I know how frustrating this stuff can be. Hey, it keeps me in cameras and lenses and Harleys!!

Moral of the story.

1) Please provide a full description of the problem- warts and all.
2) Tell us about your system
3) Always register your products- you will receive useful information/ newsletters
4) Check for updates to your software at the time you install, otherwise, you could encounter this kind of problem.
5) Recheck for updates periodically
6) Check your firmware for updates- the current one is Ver 2.0.3 and again do this periodically.

What will be John's next problem? Let's have a sweepstake and predict his next problem!

Mstar