Casio RAW - 3 images

[APchris]

Following David's (spinno) mention of RAW files from a Canon A610 in the November FirstView thread, I did some research of my own and discovered there is also a hack that enables RAW files from my Casio EX-P600. When hacked, the camera saves a Jpeg file and a RAW file, both at full resolution. The RAW file is a pure raw data dump off the sensor.

This image is the Jpeg saved in camera. Levels, curves, resize, USM and Save for web in Photoshop.





This image is a straight conversion from the Casio RAW file to Jpeg in the free RawTherapee conversion program (all adjustment parameters set to default), followed by levels, curves, resize, USM and Save for web in Photoshop





This is the Casio RAW file adjusted entirely within RawTherapee before saving as a Jpeg then resize and Save for web only in Photoshop




I think both raw files produce a better image than the camera jpeg and the RawTherapee adjusted image is better than the PS adjusted one. I'd appreciate your comments on the various conversion methods and how they compare to the camera jpeg image.

[Fen]

Interesting. I wonder if there is a hack for the one I've got, Casio EX-750

*goes off to look*

[lisadb]

Hi Chris,

no 1 colours are richer
no 2 colours not quite so rich but more detail on right hand side
no 3 looks slightly washed out to me

So I like no 2 best and you can always up the saturation a little bit. Lisa.

[APchris]

Thanks Lisa. I didn't touch the saturation controls so there may be room for improvements there. I did attempt to remove a slightly warm cast in the third one but maybe added too much blue.

Looking at them again, the Jpeg also looks a bit sharper, possibly due to being sharpened twice, once in camera and again in PS

[ian_g]

Actually Chris, I find the first one the best of the bunch.

For me, the second one seems to have lost an awful lot of saturation and the third one has quite a bad cyan cast IMHO...

[JaySteel]

Photo number 1 looks best on my monitor too.

[spinno]

Chris
I wonder if RAW is worth pursuing on a compact. Your images are better than mine I have to say, but whether it's because I'm not fully coversant with RAW I find that I can't improve on the quality of the pics when compared to camera produced jpegs.
On the other hand I may lack the patience necessary to get the best out of my images.
I suppose the only thing to do is practice, practice and more beer

[APchris]

Thanks for the comments . I agree the first one does have more 'punch' and looks sharper, but I find the sky is an odd colour, there is less dynamic range with highlights and shadows showing little detail compared to the Raw images.

The lack of saturation and cyan cast is due to my unfamiliarity with RawTherapee and my heavy-handed attemps to remove a warm cast from the original file. This image may not have been the best choice for my first attempt, being very contrasty. I feel there is potential in the raw files, I just need the skill to realise it!

Lots more practice definitely but I prefer the "more beer" suggestion

[spinno]

I think my main problem is that I don't specifically try and take photos that may be suitable for RAW conversion. I carrymy compact most places with me in opportunist mode so they aren't deliberately planned.
Perhaps I should take more care..........