CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

When you view the raw file in the camera you are viewing the file in jpg as converted by the camera so you can view it. Raw files must be converted for viewing since they are purely data. (Yes, I know all file types are purely file data.)
That conversion can be lossless (to tiff, png, etc.) or it can be saved in a compacted format (jpg) to make the file smaller. Personally I use Bridge to save and rename the raw file to a folder. THEN convert that file to tiff and save it in another folder. The tiff file then is used for whatever comes next. Since I use Photoshop, it can be anything from small jpg files to full size tiff files.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Why I like Lightroom. Import as raw and make as many PP variations as want. Export as a JPG, TIFF, or other formats as many times as you like on any of the PPd versions. And still have the original raw file.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Converting from CR2 RAW files to PNG will lose some of the RAW data during the conversion to PNG. Some of this data can only be accessed and manipulated by DPP from Canon. The advantage to converting to PNG as I understand it is that the changes/edits, which I believe are stored as XML files, are merged into the PNG file format so you are only dealing with one resulting file. I keep my CR2 files and use Lightroom primarily to make corrections and edits. Occasionally I will do some work in Photoshop too...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

That's right and thanks for the correction.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

That makes sense. A 1st order TIFF is a much larger file size than 1st order JPEG.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Raw files have 12-14 bits of information per color channel, so they can contain a LOT more dynamic range than 8-bit per color channel JPEGs. Raw images may have 12 to 15 stops of dynamic range, depending on the camera and how you use it.

You can COMPRESS much or most of that tonal range into the 5.5 stops a JPEG can contain, but you have to do that with post-processing. Try using whatever highlight and shadow recovery tools you can find in Affinity. I haven't used it in a while. But in Lightroom, I have sliders for highlight, shadow, white, black, exposure, contrast, clarity, vibrance, saturation, dehazing, plus curves. If my camera recorded it, I can pull it out and see it, whether on a monitor or in a print. I can't imagine Affinity not doing most or all of the same.

As others have said, JPEG is a distribution file format. It was never meant to be post-processed and re-saved. So for astrophotography, record raw files, process in Affinity to optimize their appearance, then convert to JPEG for web, printing, etc. If you need to re-edit, edit the raw file, not the JPEG. Raw files always contain ALL the original data digitized in the camera.

spencerp

not necessarily, the JPG format compresses the file, which loses some of your image. Look at the size of the JPEG file. Generally, the smaller the file, the greater the amount of compression (and the more loss), that's the trade-off. Depending on why you are converting the image file, you could leave it as a raw file, convert to an uncompressed JPG (big file) or use some other format as has already been mentioned (PNG, BMP, TIFF etc...)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I should have stressed above the very great difference between FILE compression (JPEG, LZW, Zip, etc.) and TONAL compression. I was talking about using tonal compression tools during post-processing raw images, and I hope that was clear.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Why not shoot RAW + JPEG? That way you'll have the RAW available to work with and for future reference.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I agree with MTShooter. I use Affinity to process RAW images; when I convert them to JPEG, I'm well satisfied with results.

royb_36-cox.net Loc: Phoenix

I looked at all the posts and didn't see this mentioned. I always shoot in RAW + JPEG. The added storage space is about 30% on my Canon so for each GB of RAW storage the JPEG's add about 0.3 GB so that effect is small. The JPEG can be used to view directly from the camera on any computer, phone or tablet (iPad etc.) or sent as an email attachment. It may look good enough so that post processing is not needed for most purposes. The camera generated JPEG is controlled by some camera settings primarily light balance if LB is not set to Auto.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

That’s exactly why I like old school RAW + JPG. PP what and where I want and delete or post/share what little I like SOOC.

muysabio Loc: Mexico DF

I also use Affinity. In case you haven't seen them, there are a number of videos, including processing RAW http://www.miguelboto.com/affinity/photo/video-tutorials/

yifitvaz

Thanks for share. it's interesting to hear. I'm also planning to see all the movies that went to theaters. I think I will start with a review of the movies I watched
https://www.yifytv.me/

Edu Loc: Ecuador

I'm using Affinity