.raf files and PSP X2

**OldNick** · 17 September 2008, 04:22 AM

Thanks for the pointer on Raw Therapy. A basic but capable programme. I took a couple of RAW shots of my (as usual opened) PC, and I was able to drag quite a bit more detail out of it.

I am going to convert to jpeg without any manipulation and see what difference there is working in X2 with jpeg

I actually converted the charcoal in X2 back to Classic, though. Black writing on a grey background just does not do it for me.

Nick

**steve.ledger** · 17 September 2008, 04:46 AM

As you know, RAW is the unprocessed (light) data as directly recorded by your camera CCD sensor (or CMOS in higher end cams.)
This data contains much more image information than a processed JPG thus giving you much more freedom than JPG ever could when it comes to 'manipulation'..
There was a recent discussion regarding RAW (The Digital Negative)

Basically, PXP X2 can never bring out life from a JPG that it could if it supported your cameras RAW container because so much data has already been thrown away (even if you made no development adjustments in Raw Therapee, it just threw away what was no longer required to create a JPG at those current image development settings).

It's very worthwhile to spend some extra time with your RAW files in a dedicated RAW developer because I found that not only are my end results much better, but it teaches me how to do better at the camera level when I'm taking the original shot.

RAW developing is also non-destructive, just like the old film negatives, the digital negative is left untouched ready for future re developement with different settings should you wish.

**OldNick** · 17 September 2008, 05:23 AM

Thanks for that Steve.

I will check out that link. I had a fairly shallow idea of what the game was in theory. It's just seeing what actually happens.

I can see where if you use RAW you are seeing exactly what you got: the best the camera can do with what you asked of it.

The feature I found most useful so far in my first foray into RT was the option to actually blacken washed out bits and whiten totally null bits as you work .

I am going to do some moon shots when it stops raining. I did some the other day and processed them in X2. When I tried the same thing in RT, I was amazed at much of the camera's spectrum it covered.

Nick

**OldNick** · 18 September 2008, 07:35 AM

Steve,

I read that other thread, right through until it disappeared up its own fundament! <G>

In there somewhere you mentioned that RAW could be used to get rid of PF in a way that could not be done in JPEG. Can you expand on that?

Incidentally, while RT does support RAF, it does not support the super CCD system, so all of my files are pink. Can't win.

Thanks for any help

Nick

**steve.ledger** · 18 September 2008, 07:55 AM

Hmm - I have no experience with the Super CCD colour system, odd that RT won't read it correctly though.
Curiousity of course makes me ask if you could email one of your RAF files?
sledger [at] gmail.com

Meantime, Fuji have a RAW decoder for Finepix cams Super CDD
It's free and can be downloaded here
(perhaps this was bundled with your Camera?)

**OldNick** · 18 September 2008, 12:46 PM

Hi Steve.

I am not sure about the decoder. FinePix Viewer can look at RAF files, and edit them (although rather limited and very clunky and slow) but I am not sure about a decoder as such.

That link takes me to a Japanese language Yahoo site, which does not make much sense given the URL itself.

I will email you a RAF. Thanks for taking the effort.

I reckon Fuji has made a big mistake not supporting their camera properly. It is out there trying to compete with the lower end of the DSLR range, and pretending to be a serious camera. It rakes cracking photos, except foe the PF.

Nick