dgcarter

Actually, yours are probably the most elitist comments I've ever seen on here. Some folks have the cameras they have, and can't just go out and buy one with a bigger faster cache. But perhaps in your world, photography is only a hobby for the rich?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I shoot both simultaneously. I have the jpg ready to go, and I do processing on images that I like.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Good for you- try it and you will never go back to jpeg only and was suggested earlier you can start out with something free for PP or even better load up LR for a 30-day free trial.

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

After a lot of investigation, I found that JPEG was fine for me about 80% of the time. Often, I found that the camera produced a JPEG remarkably similar to mye final image from RAW. On line or small prints did not justify the extra work. I now selectively use RAW when I have concerns about the quality of the light, or if the subject is very important, portraits for example.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Nothing but RAW, but I've only been doing that for about a year. Two things happened that caused me to switch to RAW only: I discovered Adobe Bridge that showed thumbnails of the RAW files, and I updated the Windows Explorer Codec so that it also displays a thumbnail. Prior to those two discoveries, I had to open each RAW file to see what it was. That was irritating to say the least.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

One way or another something is doing the manipulation. If you shoot JPEG the camera computer is doing the conversion and making decisions based on the manufacturers settings. On some cameras you can also shoot JPEG and do editing in the camera before downloading the JPEG. If you shoot RAW the computer software then interprets the RAW (without you making alterations) to show the image is making changes, you have the ability to alter anything you want from there or just convert RAW into JPEG, however you then leave it at the computers (obviously PP software) interpretation of the image. Either way In Camera/Or Post Processing the result you get is not 100% accurate to your individual eye, it may be 98% but never 100%, because someone either in manufacturing or in software PP has made a standard that can not apply to 100% of every situation.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

I shoot in the RAW only. Makes for some great facial expressions from passer-byes. :twisted:

Kjr.7007 Loc: Boston, MA

Like others, RAW only unless its something I need to share quickly (like kids sports). I hate throwing away data.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Raw :thumbup:

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

I always always shoot raw.... except for this one used the anti motion blur on my NEX 7

dubach

raw only

Al McPhee Loc: Boston, Massachusetts

Raw and Large Fine JPEG. For most of my shots, the JPG is fine, but occasionally I will go back to the raw file. It is great to have the ability to do that.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ditto.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

That's a long way from the definition of a back up and shooting Raw+JPEG on your trip may be useful but backup it is not.

Corruption is hardware failure, usually caused by a defective memory card or the writing hardware, either in camera or in transfer to the computer.
Either way you're in trouble but, if it's the Card, then any/all files are just as likely to be affected and there's nothing to be done other than throw the card in the bin.
Thoroughly test your cards and camera well before you leave.
If the corruption is in transfer to the computer, you still have the original on the card. You should use a transfer utility with CRC check or do a file compare before deletion.
Once the Raw files are on the Computer you can make a "real" backup or, as I do, copy to a Mirrored drive in the first place.

If the shoot is really critical (Africa would qualify in spades), I have the camera write duplicate Raws to cards in both memory slots so I have a backup before I return to base.
(I realise that two slot writing is not an option on many cameras.)
If necessary, I also backup in the field to a battery driven portable device (NEXTO).
On a long expensive trip like Africa, I would backup to two portable devices.

I would also be asking well in advance if and how often mains power was available for recharging batteries.

guy145 Loc: Norridge IL

I shoot raw all the time