dkeysser Loc: Minneapolis

I shoot the Sony A6000, and up to now I have been shooting in "fine" mode, which is the highest quality of the JPEG modes. But today I experimented, by taking one shoot in "fine" and one shot in "RAW plus JPEG". The two JPEGs I created through this are almost exactly (but not precisely) the same size, and appear to be the same looking at the computer screen. The RAW file of course is much larger. So if I start shooting in "RAW + JPEG", am I getting a fully usable JPEG file, and in essence the best of both worlds?

Second question - what is the best software to read and manipulate Sony's RAW files.

Thanks everyone.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I also have the a6000 (plus the RX10m3). Best of both? That's one way to look at it. It's what I would do on that camera. The JPG is as good as it gets on that camera short of RAW. Storage is cheap; in my opinion you would be doing the best you can by using both.

Best software? Best is up to the user. You didn't say "Mac" so I'll assume Windows. LR does it quite well. Sony's own ImageDataConverter v5.0 is very good up to where you want something that can do more. There are probably others, too but I'll let the Windows users reply. There is an open source app called DarkTable that some like but I didn't fall in love with it.

On Mac, Luminar is very good unless you want the cataloging features of, for instance, LR. Macphun is working on a Windows version, they say. On Mac, Photos and Preview both handle Sony RAW well and are, of course included in the OS.

dkeysser Loc: Minneapolis

Thanks, I appreciate your response.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I shoot RAW with a basic jpeg. The jpeg is just so I can look through the images a see which ones I want to process. The jpegs load a lot quicker than the huge RAW files.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

No. Shoot in RAW if you do any sort of post processing/editing. Shot in JPEG if you want to just post on the web or on social media.

dkeysser Loc: Minneapolis

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. This is a great forum.

DvlDawg Loc: Pensacola, FL

I use the a6000. I shoot both RAW and jpeg. Sure it takes more space but sd cards are relatively cheap. I started doing that because people always wanted to see pics as soon as I dumped. I'm too nice to say wait until they are ready.

As far as post processing the Sony RAW files, Lightroom. Sure Sony has their own program out there but Lightroom is the way to go.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I recommend Gary Fong's instructional video on the A6000. Excellent! He recommends raw+JPEG - yes, best of both worlds. You can use Irfanview (free) to open raw files, but it doesn't offer much processing. I use Lightroom, but there are lots of alternatives.

http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/03/23/best-photo-editing-software-photoshop-cc-and-7-photoshop-alternatives-tested/1/
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list/

Free -
http://www.download3.co/ic/picasa/index.php?kw=%2Bpicasa
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! It's the raw files that take up all the space, and JPEGS are available for immediate sharing or posting. I've never come close to filling a card.

FalconChase Loc: Canton,Ohio, USA

Sony recommends Capture One software from Phase One. Sony support has a link to a free version for Sony Cameras only. I use ON1 2017 with good results.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for that.