RAW/NEF or hi-res JPEGs?

[Kinky]

I've been debating if I should save files in RAW (NEF) or hi-res jpegs.

I'm not an artist of any sort - so any pics I take might be cropped and re-sized but that would be it.

I doubt very much I'd do any fancy work on the files.

Up to now I've been using PSP v5, but have started using Adobe Elements V3 (which is handy for reading the NEF files.

The primary reason for asking is that I only get approx 250 RAW files on my card, but would get approx 580 hi-reg JPEGs.

Up to now I've been using RAW, but don't see any personal benefit (just yet).

Many thanks in advance,

K

[small]P.S. - I'm off to Longleat tomorrow, so hopefully will have some nice virgin shots from the D50.[/small]

[dcw@pr]

depends on if you think you can get decent shots first time round, or if you need a second go on the computer...

[te51cle]

If you're not doing repeated edits on the file and re-saving in jpeg format then from what you say about your kind of usage high-res jpeg will probably be fine. How about taking some in jpeg and some in RAW next time out and compare a few prints next to each other ? That'll prove to you which is the right format in your own case.

You could even open up the jpegs and re-save as PNG format on your computer as PNG does a reasonable amount of compression but more importantly it is lossless so won't have any detrimental affects on your images. PNG format is widely available in image editing programs and can be seen with just about every program too.

>> Edited by te51cle on Wednesday 10th August 22:30

[simpo two]

Kinky said:

Up to now I've been using RAW, but don't see any personal benefit (just yet).

I've experimented with RAW but for me it's a lot of extra work and file size for negligible benefit. I think you'll have enough with your new D50 to keep you busy without processing RAW files just yet

[Kinky]

simpo two said:

I've experimented with RAW but for me it's a lot of extra work and file size for negligible benefit. I think you'll have enough with your new D50 to keep you busy without processing RAW files just yet

Hummm spot on - nail and head

Perfect.

And thank you all so so much for the responses.

Believe you me - it's all appreciated.

Regards,

K

[Kinky]

I've got a day out at Longleat tomorrow and this weekend at Silverstone at LMES, so hopefully I'll have some pics worthy of posting.

And of course - on the lookout for that 'elusive' winner for the August 'Communication' snap

[imperialism2024]

I use the RAW+JPEG mode... the best of both worlds. The D50 has that feature, no?

Also, you shouldn't have to be concerned about how many pictures will fit on a card. IF you have to think about this... get more memory. Now I have a total of 5GB of memory, which seems to be a good amount for a 6MP camera...

[GetCarter]

Kinky said:

I'm not an artist of any sort - so any pics I take might be cropped and re-sized but that would be it.

RAW will be a complete waste of time then... stick to JPG fine.