Adobe Camera RAW Originals

[frblock]

Hi All,

Just a reality check please (I'm brand new to digital imaging and my D80)...

Two questions:

(1) If I'm shooting in RAW (NEF's for Nikon) format and I open a file, the ACR converter opens. If I make changes to the image "before" openning it into the editor, are the edits updated in the original *.NEF file or not? I'm aware of the "Save..." button and I "suppose" (please correct me if I'm wrong) that this will update the original NEF.

(2) I haven't found this in the Organizer yet if it even exists... so... Is there a way from within Element's Organizer to move a file from one folder to another?

Thanks a mint!

Kind regards - Fred

[willpresley]

Your RAW file remains unchanged -- using the SAVE function allows saving the image with changes to PNG format. Using the OPEN function takes the changes to the editor where you can process the image more -- then you can save as PSD, JPEG, etc. But your RAW image remains your original 'negative'.

[PaulH]

Hi All,

Just a reality check please (I'm brand new to digital imaging and my D80)...

Two questions:

(1) If I'm shooting in RAW (NEF's for Nikon) format and I open a file, the ACR converter opens. If I make changes to the image "before" openning it into the editor, are the edits updated in the original *.NEF file or not? I'm aware of the "Save..." button and I "suppose" (please correct me if I'm wrong) that this will update the original NEF.

(2) I haven't found this in the Organizer yet if it even exists... so... Is there a way from within Element's Organizer to move a file from one folder to another?

Thanks a mint!

Kind regards - Fred

The Nikon NEF file format is NEVER over written by ANY software other than Ninon's ( Nikon Capture or Capture NX). Even with those it is a non-destructive method.

Adobe is completely unable to write a .nef file format.

- just as an aside - it also does not utilize ANY of the in camera settings you may be using, except white balance.

[GaryK]

Paul

Just curious.

I am Nikon ignorant and RAW underdeveloped.:D

What other camera setting can you have with RAW other than white balance?
I thought the whole idea of it was to have no in camera processing (other than the obvious manufacturers conversion from analog to digital).

Like I said .. just wondering.

[PaulH]

Paul

Just curious.

I am Nikon ignorant and RAW underdeveloped.:D

What other camera setting can you have with RAW other than white balance?
I thought the whole idea of it was to have no in camera processing (other than the obvious manufacturers conversion from analog to digital).

Like I said .. just wondering.

IF you use Nikon's software - it will recognize ANY of the in camera settings, and also allow you to change any of those settings.

i.e. Sharpening, saturation, contrast, any custom curve, etc.

Example - you can get an raw image that in Nikon View will look very good, or jpeg that is very good, then you would have your settings down close and need very little development. If you are closer then ACR doesn't use these settings and it's start from scratch whereas Nikon starts from where you shot it..

Personally - I use a combo of both. For a quick shot or web image I may do very little other than convert to jpeg. For a "keeper" wall mount image, I will start in Nikon Capture (to convert the raw to a tiff) and may or may not make any adjustments, then to PSE or CS2 for any othe adjustments.

Nikon Capture or Capture NX are more a digital darkroom, I feel they do a better job of developing and converting the Nikon raw file.

[Codebreaker]

Gary...

The point of RAW as you quite rightly say is to have no in camera processing. The only camera settings that have a direct effect on the image data are ISO setting, shutter speed and aperture.

There are some camera parameters though that are used by the Camera Raw processor to render the colours. These parameters in the form of tags are passed to the processor which may or may not use them. White Balance is one parameter that provides a specific colour rendering using the 'As Shot' option in ACR. You can however change the White Balance in ACR to what ever you want.

Other RAW processors make use of other Tags. Some cameras have Picture Styles so that a Picture Style of say B&W causes the RAW processor to produce a B&W image. ACR ignores anything else but the White Balance.

Colin

[droane]

If you are using 5.0, in organizer, go to the lower left and click on folder location. Then you can select your files on the right and drag them to the folder you want. --doug

[GaryK]

Paul/Colin

Thanks for that.

I was unaware that other than WB that some Cameras let you change other things when shooting RAW.
Mind you I think I have taken all of 20 RAW photos so my knowledge of it is limited at best. :)

I guess you would look at those adjustments as (kind of) a lens filter from the old days.:D

[Cobalt Blue]

I will start in Nikon Capture (to convert the raw to a tiff) and may or may not make any adjustments, then to PSE or CS2 for any othe adjustments.

Nikon Capture or Capture NX are more a digital darkroom, I feel they do a better job of developing and converting the Nikon raw file.

Paul,

Do you find when you start in Capture then import to PSE that the EXIF data remains intact - or rather viewable within PSE?

CB

BTW-I see you did some shooting up on the north shore of Superior. I recognize Gooseberry Falls and Splitrock. Beautiful country although it didn't look like the weather cooperated!

[PaulH]

Paul,

Do you find when you start in Capture then import to PSE that the EXIF data remains intact - or rather viewable within PSE?

CB

BTW-I see you did some shooting up on the north shore of Superior. I recognize Gooseberry Falls and Splitrock. Beautiful country although it didn't look like the weather cooperated!

Exif seems to carry over fine.

Weather wasn't too bad - just the fall colors were too late for us that year(2005). We did a quick run to Split Rock in 2004 from the UP and were blessed with rain and cold - but vowed to come back :)

[frblock]

Hi All...

Thanks to all that shared in this thread. All my questions were answered for sure (and then some)! Knowledge is good...

Kind regards - Fred

[frblock]

BINGO! That'll do it!

Thanks to all for the replies and support!

Regards - Fred

[baycruisers]

I appreciate all the input from those with more experience with RAW/NEF/DNG, which means just about everyone.

Would it make sense for me to start with ACR and work with images processed by it and then go to Nikon Capture somewhere down the road when I've got some experience? Or would it make sense to get both and learn to use both?

What this really boils down to, besides learning a piece of software, is saving $99. :D

[PaulH]

I appreciate all the input from those with more experience with RAW/NEF/DNG, which means just about everyone.

Would it make sense for me to start with ACR and work with images processed by it and then go to Nikon Capture somewhere down the road when I've got some experience? Or would it make sense to get both and learn to use both?

What this really boils down to, besides learning a piece of software, is saving $99. :D


My opinion: If and only IF you are getting very good jpegs from your camera as it is. I say jpegs because without Nikon Capture you really are not seeing the image with any in camera corrections.

FWIW - some people set all in camera settings to null then develop a standard setting in ACR or Capture or whatever raw developer they may use, that they process each image with.

Then - If you get good with Adobe ACR you might not want the hassle of Capture. It's a personal choice - I like the fact that Capture will non-destructively write to the .nef file.

I also use Nikon View which will show Cature's edits - (I don't think View works for D80 or D200 ).

[ClickCardo]

Nikon View works just fine regarding viewing the image. I've never tried it's editor since I have Capture NX.


My opinion: If and only IF you are getting very good jpegs from your camera as it is. I say jpegs because without Nikon Capture you really are not seeing the image with any in camera corrections.

FWIW - some people set all in camera settings to null then develop a standard setting in ACR or Capture or whatever raw developer they may use, that they process each image with.

Then - If you get good with Adobe ACR you might not want the hassle of Capture. It's a personal choice - I like the fact that Capture will non-destructively write to the .nef file.

I also use Nikon View which will show Cature's edits - (I don't think View works for D80 or D200 ).

[PaulH]

Nikon View works just fine regarding viewing the image. I've never tried it's editor since I have Capture NX.

I don't believe View shows NX edits though. (but I might be wrong). Nikon was going to develop a new version of view, but decided not to.

I have Capture 4 and NX and still jump between both.