Novice62

Hi, a couple of years back I received some superb advice here when I was deciding on the purchase of my first DSLR. I ultimately purchased a Canon 80D and I primarily use a Tamron 18-400mm lens. I am still shooting in JPEG and I currently use the very basic processing program, which is part of my IOS operating system. More and more I'm receiving encouragement to change to RAW. I recently moved to NC and I plan to continue to take photos of Nature and Wildlife including Birds. I realize that when I change to RAW I also have to change the program I use to process my photos. When I have a discussion about changing to RAW from folks from all over, they almost all use Lightroom but I realize there are other programs too. So all this said how difficult is it to transition to RAW? I'm told it's easy to learn Lightroom, but I don't know, what I don't know about it yet or whether I should consider another processing program. I am concerned about the learning curve in all this and the time it may take to process my photos. But while I may be like many somewhat resistant to change, I think I'd like to improve my photo quality. I welcome any advice on how easy it may be to change to RAW and any reference info. Additionally I welcome any advice on what to do with all my JPEG photos after the change. Thanks in advance.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Here's a current thread along much the same topic: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-614776-1.html

Any digital editing software will require practice and training, so you simply need to decide how much you want to spend for the software and how much effort you want to spend learning.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I personally found the switch easy, but that's because I enjoy having total control

PS Elements was recommended to me for software and I immediately liked its clean, uncluttered interface. You can try free for 30 days. There is much support online if you get stuck.

If your camera has the option, shoot in jpg + raw while you're still deciding what's best for you.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Additionally, any suggestions are going to, more than likely, involve the suggestor's personal comfort with and not the complete capabilities of the software being recommended.
--Bob

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Like the post referenced in Paul's response, Canon DPP software is free and you can download it from the Canon support pages. It will help you learn to edit raw files. It's a great program to use while you take the time and decide if actually like post processing raw files. But most importantly, it allows you to take your time and find an editor or editing suite that fits your specific requirements.

I would suggest sticking with Canon software and utilize the trial versions of different software to figure out what works for you.

Novice62

Thanks CHG Canon

Novice62

Thanks Linda

Novice62

Thanks rmalrz

Novice62

Thanks johngault007

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

True. However we need to often remind ourselves that the degree of difficulty in learning processing software can be inversely proportional to its capabilities. I honestly don't think most casual users can get a full grasp on learning a program's abilities and ease of use without devoting a fair amount of time to learning it. But of course, you generally don't want to spend a bunch of time learning a new software platform if it's not going to provide the qualities you want in the end. So, to an extent, we all have to rely somewhat on the opinions of other users and reviewers BEFORE we jump in with both feet.

As shortcuts, techniques, and successes become second nature, you'll often find other programs less natural and more counterintuitive, which, in turn, makes them harder to use and less capable. Over time, we automatically find the most familiar programs to be the most capable, simply because we know how to do stuff in that program but may not in an alternative one.

That's some catch, that Catch-22.....

Andy

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, different filename, different editor options.
Easy.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The download trials is a good idea. Recognizing most / all those software are highly specialized is important as they are not intended to just click around and figure out. For any candidate software, watch their getting started videos (utube = free) as you try them out. Learning how they work / what they do will be a lot more effective with some video coaching.

rebride

Don't fear the Raw. Not harder or more time consuming than editing jpegs except perhaps having to apply your own sharpening and noise reduction.
Like Linda said try a trial. Most all programs have one. Some great programs are free.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

There is a commitment, and a learning curve to whatever software one chooses. The time to learn post processing, though frustrating, is well-spent; and once you achieve the basics, and more, you will wonder why you did not make the change sooner. Do it now!
I am happy with Lightroom and ON1.
Keep your JPEGs, but you will obviously have more control to better images with RAW.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Switching to RAW processing is not harder. It is more involved but the added benefits far outweigh the effort of learning to do it. You might look at On1, also. It's a rising star.