Camera RAW or RAW+JPEG ?

[robin8495]

I use a Canon EOS.500D. Is it better to take all photos in RAW, or to take them in RAW&JPEG ? I do have Photoshop Elements 8, but I would like an explanation about which is the better to use. Constructive answers please.

[Slapshot]

Answer on your initial thread mate

[Slapshot]

Depends how much you want to play with the images. No question that RAW is better if you want to spend ages editing and reediting your pictures but for straight viewing jpg is better. I have canon EOS 60d s, shoot both JPG and RAW but it eats up cards like you have no idea!!

[sunny-dave]

Was about to say exactly the same as Slapshot (thanks for saving me the typing :) )

The other point is that shooting RAW&JPEG significantly increases the time taken to write the images to card and (unless your camera has a huge buffer) this can mean you having to wait a few seconds between each shot - not good if you are shooting action pictures.

[Prudie]

So I have the EOS 1000D - how would I know what format I'm using? When I import them they are stored as jpegs, did I pick that when I set it up?

[sunny-dave]

Probably the default setting Prudie

[Slapshot]

JPG is default on Canon Cameras. If you switch it on and press menu the first screen will give you a cahnce to select teh QUALITY, there are a number of options but it will let you shoot Large JPG (high quality) and RAW. Always shoot on the largest JPG setting you can if you go low settings the quality rapidly suffers

[Slapshot]

http://www.dpreview.c...iews/canoneos1000d/11

details are here Prudie. DPreview has the details of ANY digital camera you can mention, it's a brilliant resource.

[Prudie]

Thanks guys. I know it has a lot of features I haven't tried/don't understand.

[ll_billym]

I always shoot using RAW only, I have a 400D. I use Adobe Lightroom and it is really noticeable just how much flexibility RAW gives in being able to apply adjustments, especially in the very light and very dark areas of photos.

[Avatar]

RAW or RAW+JPEg? Just RAW definitely.
RAW or JPEG? Depends.

Do you just use it to take snaps or are you trying to take images you'd be proud to have on your wall? I would say if you have just one lens on it, youthe on it came with, dont use filters or a tripod and you are happy with what you get so far, stick with JPEG.

RAW will give you a larger dynamic range than JPEG which means if you have a high contrast scene, say a sunset against the mountains or whatever, the RAW will help you more easily avoid having either a white out sky or black mountains. However you will need a RAW convertor in order to take advantage of this. Elements 8 is one, Canon DPP that came with your camera another, and know how to use it.
Also if you set the white balance wrong, or have it on auto and the camera gets it wrong, in RAW you can correct this later. With JPEG the camera decides and once the pics taken thats what you get.

So choose, RAW or JPEG. You dont need both.

[robin8495]

A little belated I know, but many thanks Avatar. The ider of just RAW or RAW+JPEG seemed to me to be the best answer, because I use Elements 8 quite a lot and my camera gives me 500+ shot with a 16GB card and I have a spare one too. So again thanks I have a friends wedding comming off shortly 500 should cover it, and the divorce too !!!???