Transferring RAW files to PC

[Gilhooligan]

Hi all.

I'm wondering how I can transfer RAW files from my camera to the pc? I'm relatively new to photography and have only shot in the biggest jpeg file I could but I've been told about shooting in RAW and the benefits of doing so.
The problem is I can't figure out how to get the files off my camera.

I usually plug the camera in through the USB port and use the camera wizard but it doesn't recognise any of the RAW files.

I've tried to look for the files in My Computer but the folder is empty despite it containing the RAW files.

I've also tried inserting the SD card straight into the card reader on my pc but it doesn't recognise it.

So I'm a bit stumped, my PC runs Windows XP SP3. Is it a case of my PC is just too old and crap? Or is there another way?

Any help would be appreciated!

Ryan

[NDA]

Most PC's won't recognise RAW files. You will need to find a bit of software called a 'plug-in' to sit alongside your photo editing software. You might find one free on web land.

I use photoshop with a RAW plug-in. Works very well....

[Gilhooligan]

Nice one cheers. I've been given a copy of photoshop so when I install that hopefully I should be fine!

[5hero]

You need to buy a mac to view raw files, sorry.

[Ed_P]

5hero said:

You need to buy a mac to view raw files, sorry.

Don't be cruel ...

[bobs4c]

Depends upon what camera I suppose. As I have a 40D and S95, I use the Canon software to download all files - including RAW. Then pop in to Photoshop Elements where necessary.

Bob

[5hero]

Ed_P said:

Don't be cruel ...

Sorry

How about this (assuming your windows is genuine)

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.as...

[Gilhooligan]

5hero said:

Sorry

How about this (assuming your windows is genuine)

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.as...

Well that was a lot more helpful than your previous post , think I'll download that.

[NDA]

The Microsoft one is a bit rubbish. It'll be something like this....


http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshop/extend....

[kinabalu]

This is a very pertinent thread for me, extra suggestions req'd from the learned please, microsoft 1 only does Nikon & Canon, I have Pentax, Adobe 1 is for windows vista onwards, I have XP still, any ideas gratefully rec'd, thanks

[tenohfive]

If you're shooting in RAW you're doing that retain as much detail as possible for when you edit the shots to get them looking how you want rather than relying on the cameras best guess i.e. the jpeg file.

Whatever software you're looking to use to edit the photo's should open RAW's. Photoshop (either full fat or Elements), Lightroom, Capture One are all paid software options (in ascending order of price.) There are free ones like GIMP however that will also open and edit RAW.

Personally I'd recommend Elements if you want a cheap route into editing - it can be had for about £35 (Amazon regularly have it on offer at that price, although Elements 11 is £43 now.) It's got two parts - Adobe Camera RAW for editing the RAW files, and the main part of Elements for making more in depth adjustments.

[Simpo Two]

Gilhooligan said:

I've tried to look for the files in My Computer but the folder is empty despite it containing the RAW files.

Well that's odd, I have a several-year old PC running XP Pro SP2 and it sees RAW files just fine. Whether your machine can open them is another matter but I can't think why it doesn't see them. Something in admin/file permissions perhaps?

Beware the immediate confusion above over (1) seeing them (2) opening them.

[5hero]

kinabalu said:

This is a very pertinent thread for me, extra suggestions req'd from the learned please, microsoft 1 only does Nikon & Canon, I have Pentax, Adobe 1 is for windows vista onwards, I have XP still, any ideas gratefully rec'd, thanks

It seems there's a codec for that

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.as...

eta: oops, that's for vista upwards. Apologies.

[kinabalu]

weekend bump for the learned, forgive me OP.

[TheDoggingFather]

I use UFRaw, that seems to do the trick

[sgrimshaw]

The camera will almost certainly have been shipped with software to do this.

[Craikeybaby]

Gilhooligan said:

Nice one cheers. I've been given a copy of photoshop so when I install that hopefully I should be fine!

What camera is it and what version of Photoshop? When a new version of Photoshop comes out Adobe stop adding support for new cameras to the old one, if you have a recent camera and old copy of Photoshop you may not be able to open the images. (The work around is to use the Adobe DNG convertor.)