Can someone explain to a rookie what RAW pics are and the benefit? Thanks!
1235315
All responses are spot on. The downside of RAW is that software, such as iPhoto does not support RAW, and will not import the files. If you have/buy Photoshop Elements 6 Mac, you can download Adobe's plug-in which will allow importation of RAW format files.
1235316
Technology Guy is prety much on with his explanation, but doesn't address the value in practice. Most good point and shoots (and the FZ28 is exceptional) produce at least a pretty good image. RAW allows someone with the interest to take the time to make an image 1) better, or 2) interpreted differently. With 2, you can make a "hot" image more natural, or bring the detail out in the shadows. To take advantage of this you need software (better than comes with the camera) such as Adobe Bridge, Photoshop or Lightroom, none of which are cheap or easy to use.
1235317
That's true though there is also the very reasonably priced Photoshop Elements.JPEG is fine for casual photography but if you absolutely NEED to get a perfect shot, RAW is the way to go.
1235318
RAW is the unprocessed data from the camera while a JPEG has had some in camera processing. RAW is better for wedding photos, event photos, etc. because you can "tweak" the photo in Photoshop, but for anyone other than a professional, JPEG is probably the better option. I shoot photos for galleries, and 95% of my shots are JPEGS.
1695904
You can take still pictures. They come out great!! Possible as good or better than my professional Nikon entry-level camera. I just haven't downloaded these to my computer since buying the camera ... so I'm not sure on how it will appear on the computer, etc.
173307
RAW files from this camera are just like the Canon and Nikon files I've used in the past - greater color bit depth compared to a JPG creates flatter looking contrast and color. JPGs have good snap and feature typical Fuji coloration which to my eye slightly favors greens and blues. Go to DP Review and download some of their test files and see for yourself http://goo.gl/KyI3Kf (DP Review site is owned by Amazon)
1457462
That's strange... I just did it with my camera, and selected the option "RAW+JPEG" from the RAW menu (under SET), and when I checked in the camera, I had a pair of files with the same name but different extensions (one JPG and one RAF). Now, opening the RAF files is a different matter, since I use Linux...-rw-r--r-- 1 daniel users 924191 Mar 29 15:40 DSCF2334.JPG-rw-r--r-- 1 daniel users 25437456 Mar 29 15:40 DSCF2334.RAF
685879
It does capture RAW with no difficulty. And most editing tools, from Lightroom on down to programs like Irfanview, easily manage that format.
1798483
Save your money! I bought PE7 and haven't had any luck uploading RAW images from my Canon 50D. I am livid right now because of Amazon's misleading $20 rebate offer, Adobe's inconsistant customer service and Popular Photography magazine editor Debbie Grossman that wrote "A step-by-step guide to editing RAW in Elements" in the recent April 2009 issue. I downloaded ACR 5.3 from Adobe's website but still can't get my RAW uploaded in PE7. Adobe's customer service rep said Elements doesn't upload RAW images, you must 1st convert them to a JPEG or TIFF. If you want to work with RAW you purchase Lightroom 2 or CS4. What a bozo.
619947
I would suggest go with one above 10 MB/sec though. If you want to choose options RAW or RAW+JPEG that matters, atleast I saw the difference between my 6MB/sec card vs 20MB/sec card. But I do not think you need more than 10MB/sec.RAW images is approx 10-11MB, and plus JPG is about 2.5MB, so it has to write total 12.5MB for each photo in RAW+JPG.
252019
I've read a lot about the sometimes soft, not crisp pictures. Where can you post the pics? Thanks.
1687597
jessiegirl - Glad to help. You're right though, there is a ton of info out there and some of it is definitely confusing especially for someone starting out. I don't know if you are posting any of your pictures on-line, but if you are and are so inclined, let me know. I am always interested in seeing other work. Happy clicking!
863951
Yes, raw images open directly in camera raw automatically. You can also choose to open JPEG in raw as an option, although you won't have access to as many functions.
46997
The RAW files don't seem to get transfered in the app, and I'm not sure if you can even use them on the phone. I shoot RAW+JPG. It takes a few seconds per photo to download to phone, but it goes in a directory burred pretty deep. So then they have to be moved where you want them like the camera folder.
1113078
I agree - in practice this works well - but - if you've got a VERY hi-res camera (D2X/D2Xs, 5D or 1DSMkII etc) you could run into the 4mb limit easily - so I shoow raw and medium quality jpeg - and all is good. Alternatively - if you're buying it SOLELY for photo storage on the move - have a look at the EPSON Photofine range (P-4000 etc) - they do just that job - but VERY well!
1805444
Yes, date stamp on the photo options are under Setup Menu #2. I don't know whether it date stamps the raw file but it does appear on the JPEG.
831209
Depends on what you need. 45mb/s works well for just portraits. And even fine for speed as long as you shoot in jpeg. But I was shooting fast in RAW on full frame and 45 was not doing it for me. But if it says 45 then it is. But if you have no problems no need to upgrade
1367110
The app gives you the option of transferring either JPG or RAW or both. It can push either Canon or Nikon raw files just fine.
1928692
my understanding is it does not- and I wish it did- I wonder if a firmware update might make this possible? And just how likely such an update is? My gut says no, but i'm willing to bet they could sell a lot more of them if the unit did shoot raw. Perfect world, it would shoot Jpeg, RAW, and Jpeg+Raw. If it did, that would make me 100% more likely to buy one, as it is, I am waiting to see a few hands-on reviews before I commit to one.
884746
An Aperture Library is actually not one big file, but a bundle of lots of really small files, and pretty much every kind of storage out there handles big continuous files much better than large collections of small files, so unfortunately it's probably not going to be blazing for saving edits and metadata, although transferring RAWs onto it should be pretty speedy