RAW vs jpeg

so my buddy has been trying to get me to convert to shooting strictly RAW on my 450d but i am not certain why, can someone please offer me more then just because it is better to help me understand the differences.

thanks in advance

it is the native form of the file.. jpegs are raw files that are processed in the camera and then given the name .jpeg... so there is more you can do with a raw file vs jpeg..

(not to be a jerk but this has been discussed and can be founde excessively if you search)

https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=raw+f​or+dummies

i always forget to search, thanks for the pointer.

also would aperture be a good RAW converter program? or do i need some plug in for that ?

what is the point to shooting both raw and jpeg? it seems like a waste of space?

thanks for the link tzalman

RAW + Jpeg is strictly for the ease at which one can get at the jpeg file should such a need arise.

The fact is that Canon RAW files have a lovely little jpeg already built in and certain tools can extract this file with no problem, so even if one is uncomfortable with RAW files, one can shoot only RAW and still get a jpeg without doing any conversion.

now i am going to have to see if i can find a program for mac that will allow me to do that CDS (can you recommend one?)

The ones I know can do it, are BreezeBrowser (no MAC ) and I'm pretty sure the Canon software "ZoomBrowser"... ( I would think there is a Mac version?? )

Be advised the extracted Jpeg is not full size. If you need a full size jpeg, you will need to shoot RAW + jpeg.

what size would that jpeg come out at? and thanks for the info i never knew that RAW had a jpeg hidden in it

also FastStone Image Viewer does it..
The Canon software was called "EOS Viewer Utility" or "File Viewer Utility" .. Zoombrowser won't do it.

Size depends on camera model.

First off, your camera ONLY shoots RAW. When you select JPG, the camera takes the RAW data and pipes it into it's on-board JPG processor to generate the JPG "image" to save to the card.

When you shoot RAW, the RAW "data" goes directly to the card and is not an image.

To generate an image, you use a RAW processor (software on your PC) which turns the data into a viewable image, much like the camera's JPG processor. The difference is that YOU have complete control over the image generation process. You can change the white balance, adjust the contrast/brightness/bl​ack point/etc....

So you can leave these decisions up to the camera's little processor (and hope it makes the right decisions since they are irreversible), or save the decisions for later where YOU have complete control over it.

In addition, the processing job done in the computer is done better, so even if you don't make any changes (accept the image "as shot"), you still get a better result.

Snafu,

You asked about Raw converters, and the good news is that there are tree major Raw converters for the Mac that also work with jpegs so you can grow into things.

Aperture is what you are using, and does Raw processing and conversions, DPP is in the software that came free with the camera and does a nice job of processing and converting Raw images, and Lightroom contains the Raw processor that is included in the top-of-the-line Photoshop CS4 and, with PC and Mac support is very widely used.

It's advisable that you have a decent image editing program as well, whether a Mac program, something like Adobe Photoshop Elements ($100) or something free of which there are numerous out there from somewhat sophisticated and complicated such as the Gimp to more straightforward freeware programs.

To get started, learn to work with Aperture and install the DPP software and, as you get used to things, consider the Lightroom free trial to see which you prefer. You could also consider the Photoshop Elements free trial as well to compare betweenits features and the freeware stuff out there.

There is a learning curve to all this, and if you are new to photography there is nothing wrong with sticking with jpegs for a while as you learn the fundamentals of capturing good images, but these are the options if you want to move on to Raw capture.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #8367359
The fact is that Canon RAW files have a lovely little jpeg already built in and certain tools can extract this file with no problem.

Most cameras (only old models don't) have an embedded JPEG in their RAW file. Regarding the size, some Nikons have a JPEG of the same size as the original NEF, what makes shooting RAW+JPEG even a funier redundant option.

These JPEG files can be extracted very quickly (50-100 images per second, depending on your HD saving speed) with DCRAW's -e command.
dcraw -e *.cr2 will extract all JPEG files in the folder.

Regards.

thanks for the input tony and _GUI_