RAW compatibility puzzle.

[zeugma]

Hello Folks.
I'm looking for a bit of input on an odd issue I've just discovered.

Background:
I've got a 350D body I've had since 2005 and a 1DmkII I've acquired more recently. Both output RAW files in Canon's CR2 format and open in Photoshop CS2 without problems.
They will also open in Canon's proprietary DPP and Windows own native picture and fax viewer (just by way of interest.)

However:
A mate of mine has just gone digital and bought a used 30D body, works fine (looks mint) and outputs the usual CR2 files.
His files WILL NOT open in PS or Windows viewer. They WILL, however, open in DPP.

Question:
Is anyone aware of any subtle changes in the CR2 format which Canon has introduced over time?

 

[andrewc]

30D introduced picture styles and this may account for the difference. Picture styles were introduced into the 1D Mk II n

 

[Kerioak]

He might need to update his Adobe Camera Raw file.

 

[C&C]

I had similar problem using CS2 which was unable to open raw files from a 40D. Reason was that the version of Camera Raw which came with CS2 was not compatible with the 40D raw format.

As new cameras are brought out, Adobe releases new versions of Camera Raw to accomodate the newer models. Trouble is that after a while, they stop releasing newer versions of Camera Raw which are compatible with older versions of photoshop. Result is that the latest version of Camera Raw compatible with CS2 is too old to support the 40D RAW files.

Not sure on the situation with the 30D though - you may be able to get an update.

Edited to add - just looked and if running Photoshop CS2, you need Camera Raw 3.7 which DOES support RAW files for the 30D.

It can be downloaded from the Adobe site here

Hope this helps..

P.S. If you end up with a newer camera and don't want to upgrade your version of Photoshop to support the native RAW format, another option is to download the latest version of Adobe's RAW to DNG converter (free) which allows you to convert RAW files from pretty much any camera into digital negative ("universal raw format"). The dng files can then be opened in older versions of Photoshop....

Cheers,

Conrad.

 

[TrevDR]

He might need to update his Adobe Camera Raw file.

Yes ACR was updated to accomodate the 30d for CS2 should get the update on the adobe site

Linky

Trev

 

[zeugma]

YAY! Thanks for the input people. I was digging for the right version to do the job.
Seems it's version 3.7. Installed that & reloaded CS2, bingo! It now parses 350D, 1D and 30D files. Muchas Gracias.
Now to download Adobe's RAW to DNG converter as a backup strategy...
Thanks again.