I shoot in RAW only and extract all the JPEGS from the flash card later using a small piece of software called Preview Extractor, this way you don't take up unecessary card space with extra files that you already have embedded in your RAW file, also you don't need to run a fully fledged program like Photoshop or others just to see your JPEGS .

Follow this web link thread for more info.

http://drchung.new21.net/previewextractor/

For rendering Nikon NEF files you can download Nikons free software from the following web links.

Nikon ViewNX v1.52 Full Version for Windows: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/a...49/r_id/127673

Nikon Transfer v1.53 Full Version for Windows: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/a...49/r_id/127673

For a fully fledged Nikon NEF rendering program there's only one, trial download at the following link.

Nikon CaptureNX 2 Trial for Windows: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/a...49/r_id/127673

Nikon CaptureNX 2.2.4 Updater for above: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/a...49/r_id/127673


I use Nikon CaptureNX 2.2.4 for all my RAW files, it's far more than just a rendering tool and it's used by many on this forum, I would fully reccommend it.

nirofo.

I'm not familiar with nikon RAW, but use lightroom for all mine (canon bodies). I find it very intuitive and easy to use, plus it has a very good archiving system to help retrieve images at a later date. I believe it supports nikon RAW as well as various other manufacturers.

Your camera came bundled with some raw conversion software. If you shoot raw (only), and run the photos through this software, it will convert the pictures to jpegs just as though you'd shot in-camera jpeg. The difference is that you will also have the raw file to play with using a more advanced raw conversion program once you've got the hang of it. I see little point in shooting raw+jpeg, it just takes up more space on the card as far as I can see.

Personally, I use Capture One for raw processing, but I know that for Nikon, NX is generally regarded as the package to use.

Thanks guys i have tried using captureNX but only having 512mb of ram my pc grinds to a halt. I know i need to upgrade to a couple of gig but funds are tight at the moment. I didnt get any software with my camera that im aware of. Can anyone tell me what its called so i can try and downloads it.

I have already quoted the different software that is available from Nikon, Nikon ViewNX and Nikon Transfer are both free downloads, (web download links listed in my previous post). Either of these software packages will do what you want, but for really easy JPEG extraction use the Preview Extractor that I also gave a web download link to in the previous post.

nirofo.

Thank you for the advice.

For me shooting in RAW is a pain especially when shooting macros as the FZ30 can't transfer the RAW files fast enough to the card. So for that sort of stuff its HQ jpeg.

From time to time I have a bout where I shoot in RAW, cos perhaps its good for the soul and all. But I doubt I've taken more than 20 RAW shots all the way though to finishing off. The majority of those I really don't think there was an awful amount of difference between what I ended up twiddling to, and the result that the software defaulted to. Life is too short for RAW. It does give you a massive amount of scope for fiddling and twiddling and if you like that sort of thing then why not. But for myself I just can't be arsed with it.

This is a subject that I know quite well...
trust me go on shooting RAW...
I was used to scan prints and to Photoshop a lot.... now with RAW I do not even use anymore Photoshop.

Is not matter only of quality but matter of non destructive manipulation you can do with a RAW file.... you can do amazing thing!!!
is not just better can non EVEN compare RAW with jpg possibility.

So...

1) make a good shot, the best you can do, always

2) make it RAW

3) use a good software.... go for Lightroom!

4) make all your manipulation you need on the raw file using Lightroom... crop/light/contrast/colours/spot/black point......... keep in mind the shot is just the beginning.... but is the most important thing.... YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR DARKROOM... this is amazing...

5) when you have finished and happy with it... export and save as
a) JPG file max resolution that you will use for print
b) DNG file as security it will keep raw info plus the modification you made
c) alway keep also original RAW copy


Regards

Raw V Jpeg
 

how many times have you taken a shot to find that you have forgot to set the w/b or the exposure is wrong.

at least with RAW you can alter most of this, drawback is the size of image i shoot both and mainley use jpeg except for the difficult adjusments when i pull the raw file.

Nikon capture and Photoshop let you manipulate RAW.

nikons, nikon transfer,and view nx are freedown load from nikon europe.
both easy to set up.and easy to use.
i alway take my photo in raw,because all the info is there,if you ever need it.
view nx,will can change it ti a jep or a tiif,which i then keep in a diffrent folder.if i need to do more then i use nx2,which is not that often.