Nikon: Review both JPEG and NEF files on monitor
Discussion
ian in lancs said:
I'm shooting monochrome JPEG files and raw files at the same time. Is there a menu setting or display setting I can use to review (chimp) both files at the time of shooting?
I think that what you see is the JPG, quickly made by the camera so you can see an image. The RAW file has the same plus more, including colour I suspect. You process that later at your leisure, if you wish.These are just hunches based on not owning a D800!
Simpo Two said:
I think that what you see is the JPG, quickly made by the camera so you can see an image. The RAW file has the same plus more, including colour I suspect. You process that later at your leisure, if you wish.
These are just hunches based on not owning a D800!
May well be the case, if you shoot raw and jpg with them saving to the same folder, then the camera automatically selects the jpg for review and not the raw file. These are just hunches based on not owning a D800!
Having said that, when reviewing the raw file at full magnification, and then using the control wheel to switch between it and the associated jpg, it does show some differences in the very fine detail and colour graduations.
Ledaig said:
I think the best you can do is to have the images side by side in the 4 thumbnail review option.
To have them both showing, you need to be saving the jpg to the second card slot, and then have the review folder option in the menu set to 'All' and not the primary folder.
Thanks, but can't find the folder option in they menu though!To have them both showing, you need to be saving the jpg to the second card slot, and then have the review folder option in the menu set to 'All' and not the primary folder.
Ok, how about this for a work around....
If you shoot just raw files and then use the in camera raw file processing it gets you close to where you want to be.
Take your original shot in monochrome raw, when displaying it in playback review, hit the 'OK' button to bring up the raw processing options. Change the picture control to 'SD' and then select 'EXE' at the top, this will then create the colour image (jpg) for you to review against the original monochrome raw file.
The above works as the monochrome picture control option is only applied to the output you see on the screen, not the original base level raw file data which still holds the full colour information.
It's a bit of a faff, but only a few button presses which would become second nature if you use it often enough.
If you shoot just raw files and then use the in camera raw file processing it gets you close to where you want to be.
Take your original shot in monochrome raw, when displaying it in playback review, hit the 'OK' button to bring up the raw processing options. Change the picture control to 'SD' and then select 'EXE' at the top, this will then create the colour image (jpg) for you to review against the original monochrome raw file.
The above works as the monochrome picture control option is only applied to the output you see on the screen, not the original base level raw file data which still holds the full colour information.
It's a bit of a faff, but only a few button presses which would become second nature if you use it often enough.
Ledaig, that sounds workable I'll give it a live trial when I'm in the studio on Tuesday and report back!
Simpo, I really want to shoot useable JPEG B&W at the time for the visual feedback at the time and for a required SOC 'contact sheet' and have the raw for colour and B&W processing later. I'm doing a Helmut Newton styled shoot in a few weeks for a course project so want to see the images and adjust settings on the fly. Getting as much right as possible in the camera.
Simpo, I really want to shoot useable JPEG B&W at the time for the visual feedback at the time and for a required SOC 'contact sheet' and have the raw for colour and B&W processing later. I'm doing a Helmut Newton styled shoot in a few weeks for a course project so want to see the images and adjust settings on the fly. Getting as much right as possible in the camera.
Edited by ian in lancs on Monday 4th January 07:52
Frustratingly, I'm not sure that there is a neat solution to this. I tried to find one in the past and failed. But out of curiosity, what happens if you save raw to one card and JPEG to the other. When you cycle through photos and move from one card to the next, does it still show mono images?
I'm not really sure why Nikon (and maybe others) make this so difficult. Also, when are we going to get raw histograms?
I'm not really sure why Nikon (and maybe others) make this so difficult. Also, when are we going to get raw histograms?
I'm all in favour of getting everything as right as possible in camera - but to my mind at least that means composition, focus and exposure.
When I was experimenting with B/W (film, home developing) I could only see colour. How images came out in B/W was something of a lucky dip. But many years later, after getting fairly conversant with digital photography, I was able to see subjects in contrast and tone. Maybe that's the issue? But then I was never fettered by course projects!
And Helmut Newton managed it without RAW/JPG double whatever...
PS Don't forget the lighting
When I was experimenting with B/W (film, home developing) I could only see colour. How images came out in B/W was something of a lucky dip. But many years later, after getting fairly conversant with digital photography, I was able to see subjects in contrast and tone. Maybe that's the issue? But then I was never fettered by course projects!
And Helmut Newton managed it without RAW/JPG double whatever...
PS Don't forget the lighting

Simpo Two said:
Helmut Newton managed it without RAW/JPG double whatever...
Yep! I will be shooting 35mm film at the same time; FP4 and HP5. Part of the thesis is to compare and contrast the digital and analogue techniques and outcomes in a real world shoot context. I'll need SOC 'contact sheets' for both techniques and want digital to have a fighting chance!!!So, the routes are SOC B&W JPEG, RAW processed to B&W and 35mm FP4 and HP5 scanned (unedited). I've chosen Newton because its B&W fashion and I like his work! I have the Sumo book (updated one) and be interesting to compare the results above with his. Ignoring the inescapable fact I'm crap!
Edited by ian in lancs on Monday 4th January 18:49
ian in lancs said:
Yep! I will be shooting 35mm film at the same time; FP4 and HP5. Part of the thesis is to compare and contrast the digital and analogue techniques and outcomes in a real world shoot context. I'll need SOC 'contact sheets' for both techniques and want digital to have a fighting chance... So, the routes are SOC B&W JPEG, RAW processed to B&W and 35mm FP4 and HP5 scanned (unedited).
Thank you for reminding me why I never did a photography course! 
Simpo Two said:
ian in lancs said:
Yep! I will be shooting 35mm film at the same time; FP4 and HP5. Part of the thesis is to compare and contrast the digital and analogue techniques and outcomes in a real world shoot context. I'll need SOC 'contact sheets' for both techniques and want digital to have a fighting chance... So, the routes are SOC B&W JPEG, RAW processed to B&W and 35mm FP4 and HP5 scanned (unedited).
Thank you for reminding me why I never did a photography course! 
Its a very interesting comparison to make - Film has a massive highlight range, and I find it gives much more "realistic" results especially where the sky is involved as the highlight rolloff is more natural rather than blowing straight to white.
It is all about exposure though, the in camera meter is less useful, its better to spot meter on the shadows and lock the exposure to get best results, whereas for digital you tend to do it the other way around.
It is all about exposure though, the in camera meter is less useful, its better to spot meter on the shadows and lock the exposure to get best results, whereas for digital you tend to do it the other way around.
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