Is RAW really worth it? (Page 5): As Bebu said, there is NO cost to RAW... memory is cheap and some of us get as much or MORE enjoyment sitting behind the monitor just letting it...

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

BebuLamar wrote:

I always shoot RAW + JPEG. I rarely use the JPEG files. I don't think what I do is really post process. I use the RAW files because I can make the adjustmentsy afterward. And yes it's worth it. The cost of shooting RAW is nothing to me.

As Bebu said, there is NO cost to RAW... memory is cheap and some of us get as much or MORE enjoyment sitting behind the monitor just letting it flow... regardless of the outcome.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Yes..so very worth it!! I love to process my RAW photos to see what I can pull out it them. They are my negatives and have more data than a Jpeg. In Adobe LR I can batch process most times. Then work on the "keepers" individually if needed. Does not have to take a long time.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Raw isn't just a file format, it's a way of life. RAW is a constant journey that has a finite start with the shutter release, but has no final ending as the file travels the incomprehensible chain of existence within the world of software.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

bikinkawboy wrote:

I see a lot of truly outstanding photos on this si... (show quote)

The simple answer is Yes. But RAW never look good right out of the camera, they MUST be processed with a Raw processor or editor. If you don't have the software or skill, keep with JPEGs. Only reason for shooting in RAW for you would be if you acquired the ability to process later and then worked on your image files.

I agree, if needed JPEGs need more skill to fix than Raw. Also there is so much more information in RAW, TIFF, DNG files than JPGs. JPGs are only 8-bit, In-Camera RAW are usually 14-bit. TIF & Computer DNG can be 16-bit, and Photoshop PSD and PDB files can be 8, 16, 32 -bit. Note I am say bits not bytes or pixels. You may have to research that to fully understand.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

bikinkawboy wrote:

I see a lot of truly outstanding photos on this si... (show quote)

Well, bikinkawboy, you've gotten 5 pages of opinions and will probably get more. Time to see for yourself, first-hand.

I suggest you take, say, 5-10 images (or more), preferably ones with high contrast. Save in both jpeg and RAW. Download a trial version of a good RAW editor, for example Lightroom, Capture One (my preference), DxO Photolab or ON1. See what you can accomplish by processing your RAW files, compare to the JPEGs, see if you even enjoy post-processing, and make your decision.

BebuLamar

lamiaceae wrote:

The simple answer is Yes. But RAW never look good... (show quote)

I don't know. I shoot RAW+JPEG and when I open the RAW file with NX Studio it looks exactly the same as the JPEG.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CHG_CANON wrote:

Raw isn't just a file format, it's a way of life. RAW is a constant journey that has a finite start with the shutter release, but has no final ending as the file travels the incomprehensible chain of existence within the world of software.

Silly response.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

lamiaceae wrote:

The simple answer is Yes. But RAW never look good... (show quote)

JPEGS out of my camera look pretty good as they are created with criteria set in the camera for basic settings under Picture Styles on my old Canon. Styles are applied to the RAW data to create the JPEG image. So the camera actually does some "RAW processing" internally.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I never shoot raw and always PP in Elements 9 - my only software.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Retired CPO wrote:

I shoot jpeg exclusively. If I can't get a shot I'm happy with I consider it a failure and go back to try again. I have nothing to apologize for shooting jpegs. And I don't spend hours on the computer trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Without post processing, a RAW photo is like a film negative. A RAW file does not include many of the settings that the camera uses for a JPEG file and so you get a rather "flat" photo. It’s designed to be that way so you can refine the image in post to your liking with changes to exposure, highlights and shadows, sharpness and grain, and color balance among others. Many of these things you can’t do well on a JPEG.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I guess the answer is how much do you enjoy photography. If the answer is a lot then shoot raw and enjoy the post work. if the answer is not much then get a point and shoot and do jpeg. just enjoy what you do.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

BebuLamar wrote:

....when I open the RAW file with NX Studio it looks exactly the same as the JPEG.

NX Studio will automatically apply the Picture Control settings from the camera (whether it's a specific profile or custom settings). Those same Picture Control settings are applied to the jpegs in-camera, which is why the jpg and the imported raw look the same.

If you want sharpening that doesn't give the dreaded thin white halo, or pictures that don't have the diffuse haloing that Clarity gives them, you need to zero those settings in the Picture Control section in NX Studio.

Canisdirus

srt101fan wrote:

"JPEGS tend to look artificial"??? 🤔

Sure do...typically oversaturated and sharpened...dynamic range reduced.
I have tried both shooting the same images...I can get a far better image PP with RAW than any JPEG I get.

It's not even close.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

R.G. wrote:

NX Studio will automatically apply the Picture Control settings from the camera (whether it's a specific profile or custom settings). Those same Picture Control settings are applied to the jpegs in-camera, which is why the jpg and the imported raw look the same.

If you want sharpening that doesn't give the dreaded thin white halo, or pictures that don't have the diffuse haloing that Clarity gives them, you need to zero those settings in the Picture Control section in NX Studio.

LightRoom will do the same thing...just select "As Shot" for your starting point.