When you’ve been capturing for some time, you’ll be able to turn out to be fairly snug doing issues the way in which you’ve all the time carried out them. And infrequently, that’s completely effective. Nonetheless, know-how is transferring swiftly, and it’s all the time a good suggestion to check out new methods of doing issues to see if they may work higher for you.
On this video for Adorama, David Bergman solutions the query of whether or not to shoot within the common RAW mode or Canon’s C-RAW mode. He breaks down the professionals and cons of every format, shares sensible insights, and presents recommendation for photographers seeking to optimize their workflow with out sacrificing high quality.
Understanding RAW vs. C-RAW
What Is a RAW File?
A RAW file comprises all of the unprocessed knowledge captured by the digicam’s sensor. Not like JPEGs or TIFFs, that are compressed and processed in-camera, RAW information protect each bit of data, giving photographers larger management over publicity, white steadiness, and dynamic vary in post-production.
Every digicam producer has its personal proprietary RAW format:
- Canon: CR3
- Nikon: NEF
- Sony: ARW
David has all the time most popular RAW for its flexibility, particularly when revisiting outdated photographs with new enhancing methods. However is there a strategy to keep that flexibility whereas saving space for storing? Enter C-RAW.
What Is C-RAW?
C-RAW (Compact RAW) is Canon’s answer for decreasing file sizes with out sacrificing decision. Utilizing lossy compression, C-RAW shrinks information by 40-50%, permitting photographers to retailer extra pictures on their reminiscence playing cards and exhausting drives.
For instance:
- A typical RAW file from the Canon R1 averages 27.5 MB.
- The identical picture in C-RAW drops to 12.4 MB.
That implies that a 32GB reminiscence card can maintain 1,200 RAW information or 2,600 C-RAW information, greater than double the capability.
The Advantages of C-RAW
1. Extra Pictures, Fewer Card Adjustments
For occasion photographers, wildlife shooters, or anybody capturing high-volume bursts, C-RAW means fewer interruptions to swap reminiscence playing cards.
2. Quicker Buffer Clearance
When capturing quick motion (concert events, sports activities, wildlife), the digicam’s buffer can refill rapidly, slowing down and even stopping steady capturing. You’ll be able to see within the under instance that the buffer fills up a lot slower if capturing in C-RAW.
- Canon R6 Mark II Instance:
- RAW (12 fps): ~85 pictures earlier than buffer fills (~7 seconds).
- C-RAW (12 fps): ~240 pictures (~20 seconds).
With a quicker UHS-II card, C-RAW permits over 1,000 pictures in a single burst, virtually limitless for many eventualities.
3. Storage Financial savings
For photographers with large archives (David admits to 100+ terabytes of saved pictures), switching to C-RAW may drastically cut back storage wants with out noticeable high quality loss.
Potential Downsides of C-RAW
1. Lossy Compression
C-RAW makes use of sensible algorithms to discard redundant knowledge, which may theoretically have an effect on picture high quality. Nonetheless, in David’s assessments at low ISOs, there was no seen distinction between RAW and C-RAW. At extraordinarily excessive ISOs (25,600+), RAW information confirmed barely much less noise when closely underexposed and pushed in publish.
Verdict: Until you’re usually capturing in near-darkness and aggressively recovering shadows, C-RAW holds up remarkably properly.
2. Software program Compatibility
Most main enhancing applications (Adobe Lightroom, Seize One, Apple Images) assist C-RAW. Nonetheless, some specialised modes (like Canon’s RAW Burst) could require Canon’s proprietary software program (Digital Picture Skilled) for full compatibility.
3. To not Be Confused with mRAW/sRAW
Older Canon DSLRs provided mRAW (medium RAW) and sRAW (small RAW), which lowered decision as a substitute of compressing information. C-RAW retains full decision, solely shrinking file measurement.
Ought to You Change to C-RAW?
After testing, David is contemplating the swap, no less than for some shoots. Right here’s his recommendation:
Persist with Full RAW If You:
- Shoot astrophotography or steadily push shadows in high-ISO eventualities.
- Want absolute most dynamic vary (e.g., panorama photographers).
- Have limitless storage and like uncompromised information.
Change to C-RAW If You:
- Shoot high-volume bursts (sports activities, concert events, wildlife).
- Need to prolong buffer efficiency and keep away from slowdowns.
- Must save space for storing with out sacrificing decision.
Remaining Ideas
In the end, it’s price staying open-minded and making an attempt out each choices in non-pressured conditions to see which one works finest for you. As all the time, there’s nobody right reply right here. Each file sorts have their strengths relying on the scenario, and it’s all the time good to remain open to making an attempt out new issues and never simply doggedly stick with what you’ve all the time carried out.
