New Camera Owner

[nebgranny]

Hello Everyone:
I just bought the Canon Rebel XSI. I have it set to shoot Raw. I wish to work with my pictures in photoshop CS2. The program does not recgonize the Raw files. I was told to go and get the update for my camera at Adobe. I checked and there is an update for Adobe® Photoshop® Camera Raw 4.4.1, however it says it is for Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Creative Suite 3, I have CS2 so does that leave me out!!

This is bothering me so if anyone migh thave the answer to this I would appreciate hearing what the verdict is on my working in Photoshop. Thanks to anyone who can help...Nebgranny

PS:I am not going to upgrade to CS3

[Wolfman]

If your copy of CS2 is legal you can upgrade to CS3 for about $200.

If you don't have that option, I think you can get the latest PS Elelments
for under $100. and I believe it has the raw converter.

[Ant]

Download the .dng converter. Run it and then open your files (process) them in PS CS2. DNG is a non proprietary file format that you should not have to worry about your files in the future not being supported by anyone.

[nebgranny]

Well I have a legal copy of photoshopcs2 but do not want to upgrade. So does this mean CS2 users are just left out?? This is not right.
So I spend 100's of dollars for a new camera just to have my photoshop program not be usable with it's images...This just plain is not right!! Nebgranny

[Wolfman]

Actually Ant has the easy solution.

[Janet Petty]

Agree with Ant.

However, you are correct in thinking this isn't fair. I went through the same thing with the same thoughts. I upgraded. I've not looked back since. CS3 was the way to go for me.

Janet

[skauskas]

I have Canon 400D Rebel XTI. and Photoshop SC2 and don't have any problems opening raw files. But I also have Canon software which goes with camera (if u buying new). Zoom Browser, Digital Photo Professional and EOS Utility. And of course I can see raw in both Photoshop and Canon software.. mey be you need to install it? as far as I know they are for free (in case you don't have CD)

[Swampy]

Yes, Ant hit the nail on the head. Get the DNG converted. All the RAW data is kept with the file. And actually it's a better format because if you make changes, the changes are retained with the file itself and not in a very losable "side car" meta data file.

Put your camera files in a folder, make a destination folder then run the DNG converter (which has a real nice naming format so you can name your files as they are converted) then store the DNG's safely on CD or something. Double click and the DNGs will open in Camera Raw.

[nebgranny]

Well I did download the DNG after calling Adobe , and giving the poor man a piece of my mind . But it sure makes it a longer process. I have to put the CR2 files from the card in a folder by themselves. And this takes forever because such huge files. I then make a new folder called DNG files. Then I open the converter find the CR2 folder ..convert them to DNG and have them save to the DNG folder I made. The longest part is getting the files from the card to a folder. This takes forever!!

And skauskas, I did get the software programs you mentioned with the purchase of my new camera. I have used it , but again a new learning curve comes with it. When I tried to use it and click on the tools icon it comes up as a narrow verticle box and is not attached to the program and when I open the raw file ..let me think what happens for sure..OK..The raw file opens full screen and it covers the whole Digital Photo Professional interface and then I have to pull the opened picture down a little to see the top of the DPP screen to be able to hit the tools icon and then when I do that the tools open as that verticle box which I have to pull to the side to work. What is going on with that??

How are you able to see the files in photoshop, do you have the converter?? You said..

And of course I can see raw in both Photoshop and Canon software..

I can see the raw without converting using the DPP program , but still can not use the CR2 file in photoshop till I convert to DNG ?? I am confused how you can see them in photoshop??

I would just use the DPP but that darn tool box and the photo covering the whole interface is a pain for me too. What might I be doing wrong in that program? Can you help with that? I am trying so hard to learn all of these new things with the purchase of my new camera, shooting raw images , settings of the camera, it is both exciting and frustrating. Any help..newbie language will be much appreciated. Thanks Neb

I am a Granny and learning does not come that easy anymore LOL

[nebgranny]

Hey Swampy can you please explain this information you posted so I MIGHT understand it better? You said

And actually it's a better format because if you make changes, the changes are retained with the file itself and not in a very losable "side car" meta data file.

What is a "side car" meta data file?? Thanks Swampy...Neb

[Swampy]

Neb... Just be patient. The Raw files are big (about 20+megs each so unloading your card does take a lot of time.

When you work in bridge with RAW files, CRW keeps track of the edits you make to a RAW file and when you are done and exit CRW, it writes a small text file that is placed in the folder with your RAW image. This little file is called a "side car" file. It is very easy to lose information about changes you've made if you move the RAW and forget to move it's side car file.

When you work in CRW with a DNG file, any changes you make are noted and written as additional meta data to the file itself instead of writing a side car file. If you move your DNG to another drive or folder, the meta data goes with it since it is contained inside the DNG file.

[nebgranny]

Well that is a very nice explaination swampy..Thanks so very much.
Now you said working in

When you work in bridge with RAW files, CRW keeps track of the edits you make to a RAW file and when you are done and exit CRW, it writes a small text file that is placed in the folder with your RAW image.

Silly question..what is CRW?? Thanks Neb

[Mike]

nebgranny

Your comment about the time to download the files caught my eye. Are you trying to download directly from the camera? When I did that it took a long time so I got a card reader and now I can download a 1 gig card full in about 6 minutes or so.

Just enough time to take a quick break and get a new Dr Pepper!

[nebgranny]

No, I am downloading them from the card reader on my computer. But I have to copy them into the new folder. That takes forever. I have to highlight each one and then drag it to the folder to download. I should say I highlight about 4/6 at a time and it still takes a long time for each one to download into the folder. Is there a better and faster way?? Boy I would sure like to find out what it might be.

Does your card reader highlight them all at once? Neb

[Mike]

I plug the card reader in, insert the card into it, go to (on PC) My Computer > then the card reader > select all the files > then click on copy > it asks where to place them, I select the folder > hit OK and walk away.

When I get back its usually done or nearly so.

If you have a mac, you will have to ask someone else.

I never click and drag.

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by nebgranny

Silly question..what is CRW?? Thanks Neb

It isn't a silly question at all.

CRW = Canon RAW

MRW - Minolta RAW

Sorry, I don't know Nikon or any of the others.

Janet

[skauskas]

Hi nebgranny.. I'm a newbie too.. I just will tell how I'm doing the whole process. I have Photoshop SC2 Version 9.0.2
I just copy from the camera all files into any folder on my PC. then I open Photoshop. In photoshop file-open and choose the raw file. Automatically Zoom Browser is opened. There you can do some small corrections like change exposure, contrast etc. and then click open. and the raw photo is opened in photoshop

[nebgranny]

Hi Again skauskas:
Did you convert the raw files into DNG files. I am wondering if you are using the software we got with the new camera purchase...Digital Photo Professional maybe ?? Because Photoshop CS2 will not open raw , unless they are converted to the DNG files with the converter people in this discussion have recommended. If you can open the raw files in Photoshop please let me know how you are doing so. What camera do you have? Rebel XTI or XSI ? Thanks Neb

[skauskas]

I wrote this in my previous message

Originally Posted by skauskas

I have Canon 400D Rebel XTI. I also have Canon software which goes with camera (if u buying new). Zoom Browser, Digital Photo Professional and EOS Utility

Originally Posted by skauskas

I just copy from the camera all files into any folder on my PC. then I open Photoshop. In photoshop file-open and choose the raw file. Automatically Zoom Browser is opened. There you can do some small corrections like change exposure, contrast etc. and then click open. and the raw photo is opened in photoshop

[skauskas]

That's all I do. I don't convert anything..

[nebgranny]

skauskas: After giving this a little thought I came to two conclusions 1. Which I bet is right..I have the newest Canon Rebel XSI, you have the earlier Rebel XTI. I bet Adobe has caught up with the XTI and will now allow photoshop CS2 to see raw from the XTI camera.?? Or 2. You are working in Digital Photo Professional , which the Zoom Browser came as part of that software package !! I do not know, but if you are opening raw in photoshop CS2 you are lucky. Thanks Neb

[skauskas]

I don't use Digital Photo Professional at all
You can try the following.. Open you raw in Zoom Browser (Zoom browser it's like any picture browser but Canon production).. I'm sure you must see Canon raws in Canon ZB otherwise something wrong with software..
There when you open photo separately you can choose in the menu Edit-Edit with External Image Editor - choose photoshop. If you don't have it in the list - press "Manage list.." and find photoshop.exe in Program files.

Also I found at the Canon web site Canon RAW Codec 1.3 which you might not have may be? that's just was my thought..
anyway here is the link
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...nloadDetailAct
I hope it will help