Hello Mike

[Poseidon]

The raw file extension is .cr2 or .raw are you seeing that?

[charlie]

Give me a minute or two to take a pic. This may sound ignorant, but where the hell am I gonna see it. This is about half embarrassing man.
When I get my camera plugged in, the zoom browser x comes up to download the pics for me, does that help explain what I do. Should I just take the card out of the camera and download that way?

[zhenya]

Charlie,

The RAW option is there, just click OK on quality and scroll down the drop down menu of options. It should be the very last option. There is no JPEG+RAW option on your model, they started that on the next model (Xt).
As far as new camera goes, I agree with Mike, get the 40D (and if you really got some extra cash get the 50D). I don't believe 50D will be replacing the 40D, more like the sister model if you ask me. I think I remember reading about it in one of the review articles. I am looking myself at the 50D but for now just can;t spend the money on something I rarely break out and use this days...
If you can get a good deal on the 40D than grab that and get another piece of glass, a good one...

[zhenya]

Give me a minute or two to take a pic. This may sound ignorant, but where the hell am I gonna see it. This is about half embarrassing man.
When I get my camera plugged in, the zoom browser x comes up to download the pics for me, does that help explain what I do. Should I just take the card out of the camera and download that way?

Charlie, you should be able to see them in the zoom browser marked as cr2 files, like Mike said already.
Did you find finally RAW mode setting in the menu?

[charlie]

Yes I found it, but what I am wondering is why I couldn't find it earlier. I will swear on a stack of bibles that I tried that exact same thing this morning when this all started, and it wasn't there. I need to stop drinking so much coffee.

Gene, if I get that 40D, I am not gonna be able to afford another piece of glass, but what did you have in mind?

Now when I take a picture in RAW mode, will it download different than just a JPEG file. Should I use a card reader to first put the RAW files into a folder, then make a JPEG copy to dink around with?

[charlie]

Whew, It is figured out. Now I just have to sit down and learn the adjustments. Looks like alot of fun, actually.

What the heck is a THM file?????? It is 10 meg or larger!!! Can I delete this without harming anything. I already saved a copy of the original to another separate folder so I still have the ORIGINAL!!!!

[Poseidon]

Sounds like you have it worked out then! Sorry I bailed on you, I went to a fish club meeting to make some food. Of course I had to buy some stuff while I was there too, our meeting was at Preuss Pets in Lansing, MI. GREAT STORE!

Anyway, I think you have the .raw file right? I think .cr2 came out with the Rebel XT, but I am not sure. After you load up that RAW file, the only thing you really need to save is the .jpeg, unless you plan on going back to the raw file to make additional changes later, then you would want to save both of them.

Now.... If you are going to be shooting in RAW, I would HIGHLY recommend Adobe Lightroom, it will make the processing of those files a LOT easier. However, you can use the DPP that came with the camera, I just never liked that software, it seemed kinda "clunky" to me.

[charlie]

Actually, it comes up as a CRW#### in my pictures. It offers you what program you want to open the file in also, so I chose the CS2, and it comes up in a totally separate window than the JPEG files do. I saved both the RAW and the jpeg. just in case Mike wants to look at the originals;);););). They are in stashed somewhere else. This may get to be fun.

Did you ever figure out what those other files are, the 10 meg???? I am afraid if I delete them.........................

Oh sure, here I am sweating out trying to figure out if I am crazy or not, and you are off buying corals and other frivolous stuff. What did you get??

[charlie]

Mike and Gene, thanx for your assistance, I appreciate the help!!!

I figured out why I could never see the Raw option Gene. I would get into the quality menu and click on Large instead of just clicking on Quality!!!!! Sometime you can get to feel so STUPID!!!!!! But again, thanx for your help, I think I have opened up a new category in my picture taking experience. As I stated before, now I just have to get used to the new editing menus in the RAW function. I can definitely see where a little more can be done to correct and adjust. I am sure there will be more questions. If you guys have any suggestions, they would sure be welcomed.

[zhenya]

Charlie,

I forgot that those file were crw's and not cr2.
Anyway, like mike said, RAW processing in photoshop is a bit clunky(older versions) but if you run an update in photoshop you should have the latest version. And yes, I use most of the time my $15 card reader to upload images, but using Canon;s software is fine. I used it for a while but later on I deleted most of the software that came with it.
For storage I use one terabyte external drive that is programed to dump images from My Pictures directory and My Documents. I think I paid like 130 dollars for it at the Staples. You can password protect it as well.

Glad you figured out this RAW business. I shoot sometimes RAW, especially tank pictures with the macro lens, but mostly I use large jpeg file and shoot in manual.

As far as extra glass goes I only meant to say that if you get good deal on the D40 (and have some money left over ) then get nice piece of glass in stead of going for the D50. Maybe 180mm macro? ;)

[Poseidon]

Did you ever figure out what those other files are, the 10 meg???? I am afraid if I delete them.........................

Oh sure, here I am sweating out trying to figure out if I am crazy or not, and you are off buying corals and other frivolous stuff. What did you get??

No Idea what those are Charlie. You should have a "raw" file, after processing you should have a .jpeg file, and a .xmp file. The XMP file is just a text file that shows what you did to the file.

As for what I got...

One of the clubs I belong to made food, so I brought home a few bags of food that includes all kinds of good stuff, squid, shrimp, golden pearls, mysis, prawn, garlic, 3 types of pellets, nori, the list goes on....

I also bought a echino of some sort, it looks like a "hollywood stunner" but all blue... I'l post a pic later.

[charlie]

Thanx for the info Gene. I have a 300 gig. external now, and I am nowhere near capacity.
180mm macro huh? That sounds interesting. I may just let the 40D go for now and look into a new lens, that would sure be a little easier on the wallet.
One question, once you have the original RAW file stashed on the external drive, is there any reason to keep another copy around?

[Poseidon]

Charlie, Gene was pulling your leg on that 180mm I think... It is about $1200-1400! Once you have the RAW file in place, there would not be a need for a duplicate, unless it is a REALLY important image that you want to keep around.

[charlie]

Charlie, Gene was pulling your leg on that 180mm I think... It is about $1200-1400! Once you have the RAW file in place, there would not be a need for a duplicate, unless it is a REALLY important image that you want to keep around.

That's what I get for listening without looking!!!! Kind of funny I was gonna run over to B&H and look at that. I think I will pass tho.

OK, I'll remember that one, somewhere, sometime when you least expect it.....................................

As for what you picked up yesterday, I look forward to the pics. I just made some chow yesterday too, put the recipe in the general maint. in my log.

[Poseidon]

Hey, when you make up that food, put a piece of egg crate in the bag while it is still liquid, then you can pop out the squares, just like the packages.

I have 3 freezer bags full, it should last a little while! ;)

[charlie]

I just throw it into a tupperware freezer container Mike. My food is no where near liquid when I get done. I just end up cutting little squares and thawing them in tank water before I feed.
Hey, I am gonna try some macros this afternoon in the RAW mode. When you do this, do you adjust the original file, or do you make copies and leave the orig. alone. When I save it to a jpeg. I can adjust on that also, correct?

[Poseidon]

The adjustments you make to the RAW file are only saved to the jpeg or tiff. (At least that is the way I understand it.) So, once you "Export" your image to jpeg, the raw file is left alone...

[charlie]

Perfect answer!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, I trust your knowledge when it comes to this stuff, you have probably processed more pics than the average human should.

[zhenya]

The adjustments you make to the RAW file are only saved to the jpeg or tiff. (At least that is the way I understand it.) So, once you "Export" your image to jpeg, the raw file is left alone...

I understand it the same way, Mike. I used to save processed image as .tiff if I wanter to print them (very little compression is done to the .tiff file, maybe none at all) but lately I just use .jpegs and resolution of 150px. Gives me roughly 240kb at 4x6 and so far quality of prints were acceptable. Of course, mine are not for selling purposes as you understand.

OK, I'll remember that one, somewhere, sometime when you least expect it.....................................

Were you talking to me, buddy? I figured maybe you'll buy it and I get to barrow it some time... ;)

[charlie]

I understand it the same way, Mike. I used to save processed image as .tiff if I wanter to print them (very little compression is done to the .tiff file, maybe none at all) but lately I just use .jpegs and resolution of 150px. Gives me roughly 240kb at 4x6 and so far quality of prints were acceptable. Of course, mine are not for selling purposes as you understand.



Were you talking to me, buddy? I figured maybe you'll buy it and I get to barrow it some time... ;)

Yeah I'm talkin to you I knew there was some motive behind this all. Plus, you know darn well if you wanted to borrow it, you would be more than welcome. I had a friend stop by on Saturday to play around with my 100mm macro, I had to borrow it back before he walked out the door.