RAW mRAW sRAW 7D, what do you use?

I just upgraded to the 7D and I am noticing the RAW files are enormous! Loading them from the card, even previewing on my computer has become time consuming. I want to use the smaller raw files, but then I feel I'm not taking full advantage. I had a 30D before, and the 8mp I found to be just the right amount of res. the mRAW is about 10mp on the 7D. I was thinking of using that. I guess my question is, am I gonna miss anything (haven't missed anything in the past)? not using the standard RAW and say, just using the mRAW?

What do you all use, and please explain. Thanks.

Extra hard drives are cheap so I see no reason to throw away most of my image data just to avoid upgrading my PC.

Just my opinion, of course.

I currently use mRaw not because of HD space but CF space.

I use mRaw because the files are a nice size to work with. 18MP is far too much for what I need, I'm happy with 8MP of the 1D2n/20D.

That said, if I'm on an important assignment that will require HQ printing, I would probably use full raw.

krb wrote in post #9690365
Extra hard drives are cheap so I see no reason to throw away most of my image data just to avoid upgrading my PC.

Just my opinion, of course.

You also need a more powerful CPU and much more RAM to process these huge raw files. HDD/CF space is only the tip of the iceberg.

I think the OP question is more related to the quality of processed mRAW photos vs processed & down-sized RAW ones. Is the difference in quality noticeable at all?

Use RAW.After processing you can change them into JPG's to reduce their size.

I think most computers nowadays can handle "big" RAW files. That point is kinda moot.

I use RAW, just because I like having a completely "blank slate" when I put a picture on my computer. I don't like the camera doing anything to my pictures. I want the raw picture.

catacon wrote in post #9691406
I think most computers nowadays can handle "big" RAW files. That point is kinda moot.

I use RAW, just because I like having a completely "blank slate" when I put a picture on my computer. I don't like the camera doing anything to my pictures. I want the raw picture.

catacon for the win! Couldn't have said it any better.

cedm wrote in post #9690928
You also need a more powerful CPU and much more RAM to process these huge raw files. HDD/CF space is only the tip of the iceberg.

I guess that depends on what you consider 'powerful' I'm still using the machine I built several years ago and it works fine. It's a dual core 64 bit processor from when dual core and 64bit were new and exotic. 2GB of RAM and Windows XP. Takes a little longer to process teh 7D files than it did the 40D files but it's not that much more to deal with. 5 shot HDRs in Photomatix from 18MP TIFF files take less time to process than it take me to get to the kitchen and back with a fresh cup of coffee.

You're talking about the difference between an 18MP file and a 10MP file. There's a big difference in resolution, as any of the existing "40D vs 7D" threads demonstrate. And that's not even looking into what the camera is actually doing to convert the RAW file into the reduced pseudo-RAW file.

RAW all day long...

I made a mistake of using mRAW once... I rely on Lightroom 99% for my personal work and it gives me an error when I try to load mRAW. I've been using RAW files since then... and all my 16gb CF cards.

I use the full 18MP RAW, it's a bit slow on my computer but the IQ is worth it.

Livinthalife wrote in post #9690305
I guess my question is, am I gonna miss anything (haven't missed anything in the past)? not using the standard RAW and say, just using the mRAW?

Yes, some fine detail will be lost. Up to you how important that fine detail is.

I guess I wil have to go a day shooting mRAW and see if I miss anything then. :/

Livinthalife wrote in post #9691692
I guess I wil have to go a day shooting mRAW and see if I miss anything then. :/

Why not try a side-by-side comparison. If the composition allows, shoot a mRAW first, then change back to RAW and take the capture again. May be a little time consuming, but you'll have the proof in your hands.

Jason C