RAW File Editor?

[drummereef]

Currently I'm using Gimp to edit JPEG images from my Canon XSI DSLR. I want to try my hand at RAW images but want to know if there's a good but "free" viewer/editor out there - yeah, I'm cheap. :lol: Apparently the RAW Canon Files are different and won't open in some editors. Any ideas?

 

[Dino]

You should have gotten some disks with your camera (if you bought it new at least) that have a whole bunch of stuff on them. Included on them is DPP, it's Canon's RAW editor. Just install it and then you can update it to the latest version (free) from the Canon website. DPP works fine, you don't have the huge amounts of controls like say Lightroom does but I used it for several years and many people get along just fine with it and photoshop (or GIMP). Its got all the really important RAW editing tools you need.

Unless of course the reason you're using GIMP is because you're using Linux which there are ways to deal with that (a quick google search is your friend). If you don't have any of the disks you can still download DPP from the Canon site but you'll have to trick it into thinking there is a previous version installed on your machine. Typing "DPP without disk" into google will help you here too .

 

[reefsic]

I have the same Canon DSLR and completely love it. Mine came with disks, but I like using the Applet from Picasa Web. Its free and easy to use.

 

[drummereef]

Thanks for the replies guys. I feel kinda stupid now that you say it. My XSI did come with disks but my last P&S Cannon had some awful software so I didn't even bother to install it thinking it would be junk. I installed the XSI software this morning and have been messing around with some RAW files and it's great! Thanks for the reminder Cody. :lol: I'll also check out the Picasa Web Applet too reefsic. Thanks!

 

[x19]

To me its worth it to invest in Lightroom or Aperture, especially for RAW editing. Fortunately, both are relatively cheap...especially if you can convince a college student or teacher to loan you an ID.

 

[drummereef]

To me its worth it to invest in Lightroom or Aperture, especially for RAW editing. Fortunately, both are relatively cheap...especially if you can convince a college student or teacher to loan you an ID.

Which do you like better, Lightroom or Aperture?

 

[Dino]

I know you're not asking me but I personally use Lightroom, you can try it for free for 30 days I believe it is .

 

[drummereef]

I know you're not asking me but I personally use Lightroom, you can try it for free for 30 days I believe it is .

Haha, I'm asking anyone at this point. Did you ever find out if your DPP converted TIFF files look different than the original RAWs when you are editing them? Sorry to put you on the spot.

 

[Dino]

Haha, I'm asking anyone at this point. Did you ever find out if your DPP converted TIFF files look different than the original RAWs when you are editing them? Sorry to put you on the spot.

I did, I just went and fired it up a few minutes ago. About the only thing I can ask is in the batch convert screen there is a check box for it to resize the picture when it converts it. Yours isn't resizing the image is it?

If its not I'm kinda clueless at this point.

 

[drummereef]

I did, I just went and fired it up a few minutes ago. About the only thing I can ask is in the batch convert screen there is a check box for it to resize the picture when it converts it. Yours isn't resizing the image is it?

If its not I'm kinda clueless at this point.

There is a box to resize. I've done it both ways, resize to 1050 x 700 and also no resizing. The resolution of both images is about the same. Totally strange... Both the sharpness and color resolution are completely different in the batched TIFF than what I'm seeing in the RAW editor. Totally frustrating.... :hammer:

I even have the NR (noise reduction) settings set to 0 in the preferences.

 

[Nanook]

How do you like that Canon XSi 450d? I am looking for a new camera to replace my outdated Nikon.

 

[drummereef]

How do you like that Canon XSi 450d? I am looking for a new camera to replace my outdated Nikon.

I like it a lot Dave, but that's coming from an old P&S Cannon that wasn't good for much. From what I know, most of the DSLR cameras, especially over 10 megapixels, are really about the same. It's all in the lenses. I bought mine used (Factory Refurbished) from Adorama and would buy again without hesitation. The model is a few years old so I saved quite a bit of money buying refurbished. I plan on getting a couple more lenses in the future.

 

[flyyyguy]

fwiw.....Ive only been doing this photography and editing thing for a few years now and I love lightroom......when I first starting shooting raw I first tried photoshop for a few days and it was a chore. Lightroom is super easy to use and you can buy v 1.2 for like $100. Test drive complete version free for 30 days

 

[drummereef]

Yeah, I've been trying Lightroom for a couple days now and it's blowing me away. Always starts with a good pic but you can resurrect a poor pic fairly well. That's what I'm really good at right now... I'm really impressed with the Tone Curve and HSL Saturation levels. So much control!

 

[Brett9917]

I used to be in love with Aperture, until I actually tried LR...

 

[drummereef]

In case you hadn't seen this in my other thread... FTS taken with my Canon XSI edited in Lightroom.

 

[cody6766]

I seem to have lost the discs that came with my canon XTi. Can I download the whole program from canon's site or am I SOL? I only found updates when I did a quick browse. I also want to try my hand at RAW shooting, but want to do it for free.

 

[drummereef]

I seem to have lost the discs that came with my canon XTi. Can I download the whole program from canon's site or am I SOL? I only found updates when I did a quick browse. I also want to try my hand at RAW shooting, but want to do it for free.

Go on Canon's website and click on the XSi camera. That will take you to the support and downloads page where there is an updater for DPP. Don't know if it's the full program but worth a shot.

 

[Dino]

I seem to have lost the discs that came with my canon XTi. Can I download the whole program from canon's site or am I SOL? I only found updates when I did a quick browse. I also want to try my hand at RAW shooting, but want to do it for free.

Cody, go the Canon site and download the "updater" for DPP. The updater is actually the full program but it looks just for the minimal amount of info that DPP has been installed on the machine sometime in the past. If you've never installed DPP you'll have to trick it into thinking you have installed it before. These two links detail how to do just that.

http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00NtUC
http://freeweb.siol.net/hrastni3/foto/eos/eos_software.htm

 

[cody6766]

Got it installed, thanks for the help!