Opening Raw Files

[pinerat]

Hi everything I read tells you to use raw settings on camera for better results, I use ps 7 & cs 2 but when I choose a raw file it says it can't read file how do I get around this I am very new to ditgital photography but I am getting on with it after giving up the hobby 20 yrs ago.

Geoff

[hssutton]

This is probably becourse you have a recent camera.
There are free Raw convertors for download. If you have a Canon camera you will find software on the disks that came with your camera.

You could download http://rawtherapee.com/blog/list/13

Which is free or try this one which is still in Beta, but reported to be very good

http://www.scarablabs.com/scarab-darkroom

Harry

[pinerat]

Thanks Harry,
I will try downloading that tomorrow I have tried with both of my canon's 350 & 1100 with no joy but I hope with that link it my work for me.

Thanks

[markgozz]

Adobe have a free raw converter that will convert any raw file into a DNG file which can then be read by any version of Adobe Camera Raw in elements or CS , I use it to convert my Nikon D90 raw files into DNG's to open in CS 2 .

Mark

[hssutton]

Originally Posted by pinerat

Thanks Harry,
I will try downloading that tomorrow I have tried with both of my canon's 350 & 1100 with no joy but I hope with that link it my work for me.

Thanks

Do you not have any canon software disks , these come free along with your canon cameras assuming you bought new.
DPP is an excellent raw convertor and will open your converted images direct to CS2.

Harry

edited

Have just had a play with Scarab Darkroom, it's very simple to use and does a very good job of conversion

[pinerat]

Yes I have got the disc's I bought the 350d second hand & the 1100 was new I have disc for both I have them all installed on my pc I guess then I am doing something wrong.

Geoff

[hssutton]

There are numerous tutorials for using Canons Digital Photo Professional (DPP) on the web here's a link to one of them http://www.canon.co.uk/youconnect_ne...lr/Page_4.aspx

[pinerat]

Thanks for your help, the funny thing is before I got my 1100 I just had the 350 & ps 7 the raw files I'm sure it they opened, Thanks for the links, I will take a look.

Geoff

[wave01]

you could convert to a DNG file this will be read

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by pinerat

Thanks for your help, the funny thing is before I got my 1100 I just had the 350 & ps 7 the raw files I'm sure it they opened, Thanks for the links, I will take a look.

Geoff

Nor funny at all. It is by design. Each camera has a different raw format. So even though they are both .CR2 they are not the same. The only raw format that is standard is DNG. In order for new cameras to work software makers like Adobe have to add each and every camera. They do not do this for older versions of the software.

So you could use Canon's DPP to convert from RAW or you could use the free Adobe DNG converter and then use PS as you would before.