Raw.
 

I bought a new Lumix G5 a couple of days ago and tried shooting in Raw/JPeg Fine, the JPeg is good but the Raw images are rubbish, to dark to do anything with. Any ideas where I'm going wrong, in simple language please.

What RAW converter are you using? I wonder if it might be an import settin on that as RAWs and jpgs from my GF5 do not differ in exposure.

Hello postcardcv, I'm using Picasa to convert Raw to Jpeg, should I be using something else?

I've never used Picassa so cannot offer any specific advice on that but it woud definitely be worth checking the import settings on it. Most RAW converters allow you to apply some processing settings to be applied at import, if these are set strangely it could be having an effect. I have found that with my GF5 the RAWs deliver very similar results to the jpgs, but with much more room to make tweaks.

It's a long time since I had a look at Picasa, but as a raw convertor I seem to remember it being rather pathetic.

Have a look at Scarab which is quite good, especially when you consider it's free. Shooting in raw should give you better results than shooting Jpg.

http://scarab-darkroom.soft32.com/

Harry

Scarab seems very capable and is certainly friendly to use. You may also wish to try an Open Systems offering (free of course) available at http://rawtherapee.com/

It is not as friendly to use but has a wider range of options. Do hang on in there with RAW and bear in mind that your jpeg shots were derived from their RAW parent :)

I personally like Canon Digital Photo Professional and it's a free download, Not sure if it works with all RAW files though as never used anything other than my Canon's

Canons DPP will not process the Lumix raw files.

Harry

Canons DPP will not process the Lumix raw files.

Harry

Ahhhhhhhh I know now lol

DPP is a decent RAW converter for Canon flies but sadly doesn't work for others (in fact it doesn't even work with all Canon files which seems a bit mad to me). Personally I now use Lightroom for dealing with RAW files and love it. It is quite and easy bit of software to use and I can do the vast majority of my PP in it, only switching to photoshop on odd occasions. Lightroom isn't the cheapest option but I reckon it is worth the money.

Another vote for Lightroom. I do all my PP with it and only switch to PS if I want to seriously alter my image. Lightroom will also look after all your cataloguing and publishing requirements.

Must agree with Lightroom, I've been using it since when it was called Rawshooter.

Harry

Ditto for lightroom - been using it since version 1 and very rarely need anything else for the journey from sensor to print.

Another +1 for Lightroom

I also own a Lumix G5 and use Adobe Camera RAW to process my photos.
Silcypics that came bundled with the camera is also good in terms of quality, but I can't get used to the interface.

I've downloaded Adobe Camera RAW and can't do anything with it, I click onto browse, then pictures, then the file I want to edit and all I get is no items match your search.

That must be frustrating :(
Maybe you need to also install the DNG converter from here: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloa...atform=Windows

Thanks magicsam, I've done that and I can now get good results with RAW.

A number of people in my camera club use the Lumix and use Faststone to do basic processing. It's available from http://www.faststone.org/. As a point of interest it even supports most high end cameras even recent releases.

Raw
 

Thanks for the info Springfield Photo but I've downloaded DNG converter and that does the job fine.
Regards Peter.