RAW Conversion

[Reschsmooth]

Hi - I was encouraged to ask 'simple' questions, so here is one (probably bordering on stupid)...

One thing I don't understand is the concept of 'RAW converters'. We have a version of PS 700BC (I think v.7.4 or so). I am able to easily open NEF files and then save them as TIFF, JPEG, etc.

My question is - is this 'RAW conversion' or something else and if the latter, what is RAW conversion?

I have done a bit of a search on the threads and couldn't find anything, but forgive me if this has been answered many times before (or even once).

Cheers

P

[sheepie]

Simple answer is that a "Raw Converter" is a program (or plugin) that allows you to open the RAW/NEF file.

There are many out there that do this, and each has slightly different interpretations of the 'raw' data - go figure

[firsty]

Reschsmooth
when your camera takes a photo the RAW sensor data is collected and can be stored as the RAW data or converted to a jpeg file
when saved as a jpeg the data is processed by the camera eg the white balance, sharpening levels, saturation, tone, etc. are adjusted in camera depending on what settings you have selected with the camera
while you can make limited adjustments to the jpeg after on your computer a lot of the captured data is lost, like highlight and shadow detail and some sharpening artifacts may be introduced.
using a RAW converter takes this step out of the camera so you have a lot more control over your final photo. like if you had the wrong white balance selected and your indoor shot came out with a strong yellow cast. with a RAW converter it can be fixed with one click (set white balance to tungsten light) and then you can still fine tune it
if you use a Nikon and use Nikon capture the raw photo will open with the settings you had in camera and can be save as a jpeg just as it would have been if saved in camera so there is no need to save a jpeg when shooting
if you use something like Raw Shooter pro to do your conversions the photo will open with no adjustments and will look very flat and will lack sharpness and you will have to do all the converting from scratch
with the camera raw plugin that comes with Photoshop, you will get a photo that is adjusted automaticaly by photoshop as a starting point.... it may be good or bad depending on your luck

[Reschsmooth]

Thanks for the responses guys.

To illustrate my naivety, what does the 'RAW convertor' convert the RAW/NEF files to?

As mentioned, with my older version of PS, when I open a NEF file, it asks me if I want to adjust colour balance and exposure comps. Is this what you are referring to and therefore, I am not missing anything?

Cheers

P

[sheepie]

As mentioned, with my older version of PS, when I open a NEF file, it asks me if I want to adjust colour balance and exposure comps. Is this what you are referring to and therefore, I am not missing anything?

My bet is that with your older version of PS you are probably not being offered the full gamut ( ) of adjustment options. The RAW 'converter' in CS2 is extremely powerful, with many options. Again, the benefit of doing some of these adjustments in the converter is that, at least in theory anyway, you are working with the original data.

The RAW converter doesn't really convert the file to anything until you choose the format you want to save it as. It really just opens the RAW file and decodes the information to present you with the picture.

As with everything in life, it's all more complicated than that - there are a few good resources on the web which explain this really well. I'll try and remember to have a look tonight

[Reschsmooth]

I have downloaded Adobe DNG Converter & Camera Raw (v3.7). I can see that CS2 is recognising the Camera Raw plug-in, yet I can not open any of my NEF files. In Bridge, I am not given the option of opening with Camera Raw.

Basically, the only way I can open the files is to convert them to DNG files. The problem with this is that it will double the amount of space required to store the photos (as there will now be a NEF and DNG file).

Can anyone please help? (if you need more info, please ask, bearing in mind that I am not knowledgable with respect to computers and software, so use small words and very few acronyms please ).

Also, is it possible to use Camera Raw 3.7 with older versions of Photoshop?

Many thanks.

Patrick

[Matt. K]

Patrick
You need to download the camera raw convertor, which does not really convert your raw files but simply allows Photoshop to read them and allow you to process them. You need to disable the Nikon NEF file format in the Adobe folder and replace it with the updated adobe raw file format. No doubt a real computer expert will soon post a step by step instruction for you....hopefully....and we will both learn more.

[Reschsmooth]

Thanks Matt - here's hoping a kind-hearted IT nerd, I mean expert can provide guidance (using small words for someone like me).

P

[Reschsmooth]

By the way, I managed to work it out.

As was mentioned, Photoshop was trying to use the Nikon NEF plug-in as opposed to the Camera Raw plug in.

Initially I had to move the NEF plug in out of the relevant directory, but this didn't work. I then had to check the properties of the CR plug-in and change the "Use with" or "Open With" to Photoshop or Bridge.

Cheers

P