Need advise on RAW . . . help please

C

CJS

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Edit My Images
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I have been a bit tardy in looking at 'RAW', I have . . . should I say, we, thats the Royal 'WE'; Hazel my partner and I, we have two Nikons, D80 and recently a D40X.

I am wanting to look into using RAW? . . . however, the coast of the Adobe CS... program, is way outside of the money I can justify, prefer to spend it on a bit of good glass, or may be a new PC:eek:? I have been using 'PS Elements v 4', for a good while now, to reasonable effect IMHO ;) I have tried PS Elements v5, crashes my computer!!! Computer 4-5 years old so may not be upto the job . . . :thinking:

I think???, PS Elements v6 and v7 have RAW capability??? In fact I scaned a mag a few months ago that reviewd the new 'PSE v 7', they said, if you were running v6 and were happy, the extras in 7 might not be worth the cost? however, v7 as a new puchase was the 'bees knees' and unless pro use was envisaged no point in going to the cost of CS... program?

So can anyone confirm PS Elements has RAW for D40X-D80? or does it have to be down loaded as a 'plug in' or something :headhurt: Yes my head is starting to hurt already, I realy do struggle with technicalities? The old 'dyslexia' problem, means realy slow download time at a personal level, but I will get there eventualy :LOL:(y)

A problem I see, my computer might be a bit short on spec., cant even remember how to find the specification, bl***y dyslexia!!!

CJS

PS
If it has RAW to suit D40X-D80, at less than £25 from Amazon + PP, thats a bargin, if I compare it to what I have been able to do with v4. I got my v4 from Amazon.
 
Elements 4 can use RAW files. Although you might need to download a update for your camera.

Your D80 will also have come with a RAW converter.

Alternatively there are some low cost or freeware RAW converters available.
 
yep try something like rawshooter...

i use it and its only the free download works fine for me....


md(y)
 
..MD.. said:
yep try something like rawshooter...

i use it and its only the free download works fine for me....


md(y)
Click to expand...

OK thanks for that, I have down loaded 'Rawshooter'. I presume all I need to do now is shoot a pic in RAW, save to a folder and then load to 'RS'? Sorry if I sound thick, but the dyslexia seems a bit troublesome today, comes and goes? at the mo' its definatly . . . . gon . . . :thinking:

Do you know if Rawshooter will work with a D60, a friend has just bought one and wants to use RAW. But finding it dificult to find a non Nikon program to suport it, new product, need a few months under its belt???

Or is there something else that has to be done befor any of these will work, :bang: . . . . I wish I could get this brain working, its so frustrating!!!

CJS
 
andrewc said:
rawshooter was discontinued 2 or 3 years ago and it became Lightroom.

Rawtherapee is a free converter.
Click to expand...

Totaly confused???? whats a converter, discontinued 2-3 years ago, does that mean it does not work on D40-60-80? :shrug::bonk: O'boy, I'm away with the faries:(
CJS
 
Looked at, Rawthereapee, it will do a job, but I have ideas in my mind that it will not cope with or will all and frustrate me. My computer is old, 5-6 years, Pentium 3 or 4? and its sometimes strugles to cope. So, its a new broom . . . 'out with the old in with the new' :clap: Have a look around and see whats on offer, never a better time in the next few weeks to pick up a bargain?

Then I can run all the new stuff:LOL: Thats utill 5 or 6 years down the line . . . O'my, stop the world I want to get off!!!!:thinking:

Tight old git, squeeeeek . . . kill the moths . . . :bonk: very slowly . . . CJS
 
I have down loaded 'Raw Thereapee' and 'Raw Shooter'. Take a few pics tomorrow in Raw, need to walk the dog and go visit my mate on his fancy boat in the marina, never taken a RAW photo in my life, so, I have no folders with anything in to try. At least it might give me an insite into whats what in the world of RAW, while I rumage amoung the computer deals . . . You neaver know, I might find I can get along as things are with the two interim converters for another 12 months :cautious: tight old git. :D

See how my dyslexic mist lifts, I have a handle on what I'm doing, still not entirly sure where its leading, but at least I have undone, some of the mental tangle . . . as I say, very frustating!!!!

CJS
 
If you would like to go for the freebies, UFRaw might not be bad either.
RawTherapee has usually a little better output, but it doesn't handle noise of the D40x/D80 that well. YMMV, though.
If you're on Windows, install the Nikon RAW codec for thumbnails (in Windows Explorer), if you haven't done so already, it's quite handy at times (fast too).
 
Yes Elements 6 or 7 will handle your cameras without the need to update the raw plugin, it will even handle the D3 if you do update it ,it costs nothing to update the raw plugin by the way.
 
Paul-S said:
Yes Elements 6 or 7 will handle your cameras without the need to update the raw plugin, it will even handle the D3 if you do update it ,it costs nothing to update the raw plugin by the way.
Click to expand...

Paul-S,
Do I assume from the above that, Elements 6-7 will operate in a similar fashon in RAW as it does when manipulating JPEG. That when one chooses to use RAW files, drag and drop etc. The program does not throw a wobbly, and start demanding file names etc. I cant cope with this, its almost like going back to the dark old days of DOS!!! Which is why windows is, was, such an inovation and a god sent to individuals like me, we could finaly show that we were not stupid!

In other words, I present 'E7' with a RAW image D&D, chooses all the file bits and pices automaticaly and then gives auto or manual manipulation. Thats simplifying it, but that essentialy how JAPG in Elements seems to work.

Why the above you ask? . . . I have just spent the past 2 hour, key thumping! with Raw Thereapy, beninly staring back at me, I eventualy got it working. Reading the manual was as good as useless, written by a 'nurd' for an assumed similar level of understanding:thinking:

As I say, by a process of elimination and sideways thinking, I overcame!!! However, my dyslexic state, means that I will have to go through this frusrating process on a regular bassis, when 'I cant remember' . . . happens to often these days.:bang:

Is one to assume that, Elements 6-7 has a high level of RAW manipulation? One reads in the media reviews that the latest Elements is a close 2nd to CS4? and therefore, one assumes RAW operation is close if not the same?

The answers to the above would be much apreciated. I cant run E6-7 on my computer, an 'out of the ark'!! Pentum 4. Been to PC world this morning, they have a reasonably priced ACER, that fitts the bill. Obviously, if I'm going to continue to strugle in RAW with E7, then I might as well stay as I am in JPEG bliss, but if its a smooth operation work flow, then I will bite the bullet.

You help is much apreciated in advance, CJS
 
RawShooter definitely isn't compatible with the D80, if it was I'd still use it - nice program.

UFRaw and RawTherapee aren't bad, but I'd personally recommend CaptureOne 4 - very nice, very capable program and very good output quality.
 
I use Elements 6 and always shoot in RAW. First you open the organiser and choose your images from whichever folder on your PC you have stored them. Then open the Editor (full edit) and choose 'view organiser files' (I think, I'm at work so can't check this for sure). This opens the chosen image in the RAW editor where you can make whatever changes you need, then open image which sends you back to the editor where you can make any final adjustments before saving as a jpeg or whichever format you prefer.
Easy really, once you've done it a few times.

I found that the computer I have ran very slow a Elements 6 until we added another 4 meg of cache memeory, now it flies.

Good luck

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
I use Elements 6 and always shoot in RAW. First you open the organiser and choose your images from whichever folder on your PC you have stored them. Then open the Editor (full edit) and choose 'view organiser files' (I think, I'm at work so can't check this for sure). This opens the chosen image in the RAW editor where you can make whatever changes you need, then open image which sends you back to the editor where you can make any final adjustments before saving as a jpeg or whichever format you prefer.
Easy really, once you've done it a few times.

I found that the computer I have ran very slow a Elements 6 until we added another 4 meg of cache memeory, now it flies.

Good luck

Andy
Click to expand...


Thanks Andy, thats what I wanted to hear (see?:LOL:) Also had it said that the 'Pentium IIII' is fine for my requirments, but an upgrade from 512mb to 2 gigs of RAM will do a job :banana: !!! Simple enough 'pop out the old, pop in the new' cheap up grade, certainly cheaper than a new computer with money getting tighter. Off to the computer emporium in the morning then :) O'yes and order 'Elements 7' tonight befor I start ripping the memory out :D

CJS
 
As with all Adobe products you can drag a raw file from explorer into the elements editing window or even onto the desktop icon if elements is not open and it will automaticly open in the raw converter if this is what you want to do. :)

Andysnap as covered your otherpoints well. You will need at least 2GB of ram to run it really well.
 
I use element 6 for my RAW d80 files, it works fine.

Now all I need to do is learn how to edit them correctly!!!
 
Thanks for all your help people. I have cracked it . . . well, as far as I can. I have been able to pick out the bits of advise and knit them together, suprising how dyslexia has develops this sidways way of working for me, a bit from here, something els from there, guess a little, and bingo! all is reveraled . . . them I have to retrace the steps:thinking: to discover what i actualy did!!!:bonk:

Discoverd the 'converter plugin down load' for Elements 5 to opem RAW in 'E5'. Its a bit basic as one would expect from that earea . . . but it works, not befor I upgraded the RAM from 512mb to 2gb though. The computer is geting a little long in the tooth, but like me, still offereing good servics:D, 2 gig is all it will take, electronic Filosan and Viagra, :banana: wow!!! again a bit like me, it fair 'tramps along' now.

I have orderd 'PhotoShop Elements 7', which one is lead to believe has an up to date RAW capability, more akin to modern CS standard? Anyone know how close it comes? In fact, I think 'E6' RAW facility is unchanged on 'E7'?

Had the day off from work to day, taken my partner Hazel, Christmas shoping, shes recovering from a majour op., her first day out, she enjoyed spending my 'hard earned' :love: I was able to call in the local Computer shop, get advise (very helpfull) and purchase the new RAM @ £24.50 per 1 gig, seemed reasonable, not checked flebay?

Thanks once again, a very frustrating few days, but for me, a sence of achivement (so far), 50 quid as oposed to £400'ish, thats got to be a good deal. I can now afford (with out feeling guilty) the new Auto GPS I need, the old one is on its last legs, drive for a living! Looking forward to getting some first rate RAW pictures when I'm out and about(y)

Thanks all once again for your help and patience, CJS
 
Remember, you can always download a free 30-day trial of Elements/Lightroom/ Photoshop CS from Adobe.com.

Why not give them a whirl and see what works best for you? :)
 
sdb123 said:
Remember, you can always download a free 30-day trial of Elements/Lightroom/ Photoshop CS from Adobe.com.

Why not give them a whirl and see what works best for you? :)
Click to expand...

That side of it is about money mate. I can get the latest, all knobs and whistles 'Elements 7' for less that £30, anything to do with CS is £100's!!! My photography is for me, and therefore cost is of the essence. I have been using Elements for years, in its verious forms, it has served me well, I have been using PhotoShop since the early pre Elements 'Photo Delux' of which I still have a cd v3! The media, response to 'Ev7' is that unless you are made of money or require it for business, CS4 and 'Elements 7' are very close, stick with Elements v 7.

I am sure there are lots of uses who will not agree with this, but, you pays your money and takes your choice, so there is no point in me downloading a 30 day trial. I cant justify the money, hence the cheap hard ware upgrade on a machine that realy should be scraped. Also if CS4, in truth, is so much better, then I'm going to feel disatisfied, what I dont have personal experiance of I dont need to worry about:D

'Keep it simple, stupid', thats been my philosophy in life for a number of years, it works for me. Gets a bit frustrating when one tries to 'keep it simple' and all around, we are being herded in the direction of, 'bigger, better, faster' . . . all for the benefit of would be 'fat cats', sorry, I'm an old cynic. I'm the stray, wanting the solitary, quiet life, do my own thing, anyone want to tag along? thats fine by me :tumbleweed: What I have discovered, one can live 'simple' on the edge, but its tough to live solitary in the widerness, you have to know where to draw the line ;)

CJS
 
Well, its up and sort of running, I have Nikon NX working, PS Elements 7 working, only one problem, its like going back 15-20 years for me!!!!:bang: My dyslexic mind is strugling to cope!!! I remember very clearly the frustration of Dos and the very first Windows program, RAW is inducing those feelings . . . O'boy . . . :puke: :shrug:

I'll keep dipping in, but frankly, I dont think I have the will to stay with it, its only for me . . . perhaps RAW is a step to far . . .

:coat: CJS :(
 
Finaly cracked it, discovered that 'Nikon NX' was strangling the Adobe programs, even seemed to dominate the way the computer handled anything to do with photographs, uninstalled NX, I'm now getting somewhere . . . I think :)

CJS
 
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