Canon® EOS 50D Digital Field Guide

Appendix B. Exploring RAW Capture

In This Appendix

Learning about RAW capture

Canon's RAW conversion program

Sample RAW image conversion

If you want to get the highest quality images from the EOS 50D, then RAW capture is the way to get them. In addition, you have the opportunity to determine how the image data from the camera is interpreted as you convert, or process, the RAW image. While RAW capture offers significant advantages, it isn't for everyone. If you prefer images that are ready to print straight out of the camera, then JPEG capture is the best option. However, if you enjoy working with images on the computer and having creative control over the quality and appearance of the image, then RAW is the option to explore.

This appendix provides an overview of RAW capture, as well as a brief walk-through on converting RAW image data into a final image.

Learning about RAW Capture

One way to understand RAW capture is by comparing it to JPEG capture, which most photographers are familiar with already. When you shoot JPEG images, the camera edits or processes the images before storing them on the CF card. This processing includes converting images from 14-bit files to 8-bit files, setting the color rendering and contrast, and generally giving you a file that is finished. Very often, the images are ready to print. But in other cases, you may encounter images where you want more control over how the image is rendered — perhaps to recover blown highlights that have no detail, to tone down ...