RAW to Jpeg problems

Freddie59

I've posted this before, but am still having difficulties. Canon 40D+17-55 2.8 lens. The RAW images are incredibly sharp and clear in ZoomBrowserEx, but when converted to Jpeg, alas, at times indoor shots are unbelievably soft, with detail very poor.

I've tried everything. Aperture,, USM in PS7, but to no avail. I suppose my question is, given the software I'm operating with, what procedure and settings would the knowledgeable among you follow?


Thanks in advance.

Freddie.

Borderfox

Upload the RAW file somewhere and let us try?

Freddie59

Borderfox wrote: »

Upload the RAW file somewhere and let us try?

Thanks BF. Just heading out the door, so will do later.

Where would I upload the RAW file to?

Cheers,

Freddie.

Fireman

What program are you converting the RAW with, if it is Photoshop it is more than likely that the setting of the colour space needs adjusting, I also had this problem, but this forum sorted it out for me, I'm also heading out but I will get more info for you later

Borderfox

Rapidshare.com or something like that? stick it up and we can help

Morrisseeee

I don't get it, if you open your RAW file (in a RAW converter program), don't do any changes, then open it in a photo editing software program, then File>Save-As (.jpg) and choose your settings (eg. high quality), then there should be very little difference between what you saw in the converter program and end result (especially if you didn't resize the resolution of the shot).
How about 'in-camera' editing, ie. let the camera convert it into a .jpg file, then open it in a photo editing program !!

at times indoor shots are unbelievably soft

This would be normal, it really depends if you used flash, or high ISO and the aperture you were using, or if the AutoFocus wasn't really performing in low light.

Fenster

Freddie, drop me your email and I can get you set up with some web space on the cheap (free).

Freddie59

Morrisseeee wrote: »

I don't get it, if you open your RAW file (in a RAW converter program), don't do any changes, then open it in a photo editing software program, then File>Save-As (.jpg) and choose your settings (eg. high quality), then there should be very little difference between what you saw in the converter program and end result (especially if you didn't resize the resolution of the shot).
How about 'in-camera' editing, ie. let the camera convert it into a .jpg file, then open it in a photo editing program !!

This would be normal, it really depends if you used flash, or high ISO and the aperture you were using, or if the AutoFocus wasn't really performing in low light.

Just back in for a few minutes. I see what you're saying. There is a huge difference between the indoor shots RAW vs Jpeg.

Talk later.

Cheers.

5uspect

Can you print screen a small section of both side by side and post it here?

Pete67

I use Canon Digital Photo Professional which was supplied with the camera to convert raw CR2 files to jpeg, in general it does a very fine job. Once you have it installed, you can upgrade to the most recent version from the Canon website. DPP supports adjustment of exposure up or down a couple of stops if required, and allows you to tweak contrast, tone, saturation and then and sharpen the image. If you've been using a Canon lens, it can also correct for known lens distortion, chromatic aberation and edge illumination before conversion to jpeg. And it's more or less free.

Looking at the raws and jpegs direct from the camera side by side in ZoomBrowser, the jpegs appear much softer, not sure why exactly. But the jpegs resulting from conversation from raw file are fine. In fact I'm thinking of not saving jpegs in the camera any more to get a bit more space for raw image files on my CF cards.

Next step in the learning process for me is to explore working with Adobe Camera Raw on CR2 files directly, effectively bypassing Canon DPP. But thats another days work!

Heebie

When you save them, are you saving them as a different size/resolution than the original? It would be very easy for someone not well versed to be saving screen-resolution JPG's (72-96 dots per inch) at a print size like 4x6".. which would definitely make your detail disappear. The images should be very "blocky" looking if this is the case.

Freddie59

Fenster wrote: »

Freddie, drop me your email and I can get you set up with some web space on the cheap (free).

Thanks Fenster.


Morrrissee - I use ZoomBrowserEx to select, and the Canon CR2 Software to convert.

Heebie - The compression Ration is 4 (Highest Quality) and it's 180 pixels/inch.

5uspect - will that suffice?

I shoot in RAW+Jpeg.

Heebie

180 DPI at what size? 180dpi at 2x3 is vastly different than 180dpi @ 16x24, but the aspect ratio is identical... but when you look at the small one "full screen".. it'll look pretty awful, whereas looking at the other one full screen should look great.

--Todd

Freddie59 wrote: »

Thanks Fenster.

Heebie - The compression Ration is 4 (Highest Quality) and it's 180 pixels/inch.

Buckz

One more detail on this- I use the canon DP and Adobe Camera raw. the canon software retains the sharpness and saturation settings from the camera, adobe doesn't. so the picture always looks sharper in the 0anon software, but just dial back in the sharpness and you will get the same in adobe.

5uspect

Freddie59 wrote: »

5uspect - will that suffice?

It'll certainly let us see exactly what you see.

pullandbang

As a suggestion - save the raw file as a 16bit TIFF. Do your photoshop bits n bobs on the TIFF, convert it to 8bit then save it as a jpeg (72dpi) for internet. Keep the TIFF for print etc.