Nikon D3 - NEF vs. TIF ??

Assuming I don't care about larger file sizes and the resulting increased
time to write the images to my CF card(s), can anyone tell me any
disadvantages to shooting .TIF files instead of .NEF files in my D3?

Thanks.

 

The Tif files from the D3 are 8 bit per RGB channel, not 16 (or 12 or 14
as in the case of *.nef), so you lose one of the principle advantages of
shooting raw in the first place. In-camera processing such as
sharpening and noise reduction will also be applied, with default output
much the same as what you'd get shooting jpeg. Those operations can't
be "undone" from the tif file.

 

Your RAW files contain the RAW data as formed by the camera, plus the
list of camera edit settings you have chosen. The edit settings have
not modified the RAW data.

Your TIFF files will be modified by the edit settings before being
saved. You will get no list of edit settings.

For this reason there will be less that you can do when editing the
TIFF files than with the RAW files.



Eric Stevens

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you!

 

Less editing flexibility including adjusting sharpening and white balance
during post processing and less ability to recover blown highlights in
Lightroom, Capture NX, Aperture, etc..

Think of the tiff files the same as jpeg file except without the compression
and the resulting data loss. But like jpegs, you're letting the camera make
major decisions about white balance, sharpening with less ability to
correct those decisions afterwards on your computer.


- Peter

 

The new Nikon cameras have a feature called "D lighting" which can
reduce the instances of blown highlights - the main reason you would
shoot RAW is to prevent blowing highlights and blocking shadows. Dynamic
range constraints.

The RAW image captures what some people call "useless information". Any
image data past 8 bit can't be printed on most printers and certainly
can't be displayed on any but the most expensive monitors. You might
well ask why bother then.

Imagine editing a colour photo and not knowing how the data in the image
past 8 bit is being manipulated and you start to do as I have and
question the validity of being able to capture usable information as
opposed to large amounts of information you have no use for.

Tiff files are uncompressed image files. JPEGs are compressed image
files. "D Lighting" at it's best will smooth out the dynamic range. If
this is acceptable, then you need to choose JPEG or TIFF. The TIFF files
will not have artefacts in them and the compressed JPEGs will. Typically
you might expect twice as many JPEGs per card as TIFF files.

I have done a lot of research into file types and their effect on
printed images. JPEG artefacts are mostly only visible on a monitor at
pixel size viewing. You won't generally see them in inkjet prints and
seldom in prints up to native image size from photo labs.

In Summary... Yes, most professional photographers capture RAW data in
order to have maximum editability post shoot. Keep in mind most
newspaper photographers are forbidden to shoot RAW due to the
possibility of fraud when editing. For them TIFF is the file capture of
choice. There is also the increased time to write large files to the
flash card, reducing the number of continuous shots you can take.

An example:
I shoot with a D700 and companion Fuji s5 Pro. (a D200 in drag). The s5
has the widest dynamic range of any digital camera on the market. I use
that in jpeg capture mode and print directly from the camera at Wedding
receptions and other events where instant sales are made. For that it is
perfect.

For bridal portraits, I use the D700 and capture RAW mode with a rather
complex workflow post shoot. Only in extreme cases does shooting RAW
with the D700 have any realisable benefit. I get most of my album fodder
with the s5 and many of it's files get enlarged to mini and full poster
size.

A D3 is probably the best camera for shooting JPEG after the s5 you can
buy at present. Wether this or TIFF capture is sufficient for your needs
is up to you. I always work on the idea that enough is sufficient. Many
people believe that there is never enough.

 

Well - piss off then. And take all your multiple personas with you.
I'm sure we will all be happier.



Eric Stevens

 

Successful nym-shift trolling requires the ability to recognise when and
how to change the bait when it's getting stale.
Like photography, there's a bit of an art to it.
If the reward was fish, then at least you'll never choke on a bone.

 

I'd suggest <http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp>, but I expect
you'd get yourself booted & banned in less than ten minutes.

 

He's fun to poke, though.

 

I convert my NEF files using Capture NX from the D3 into 16-bit TIF files
for editing in Photoshop CS2 (which won't open a D3 NEF file).

Do I still lose all of this if I'm working the 16-bit TIF files?

Thanks

 

**** YOU, "Oh Gawd"

 

Thank you kindly for the thoughtful reply.

 

Generally, you still have all the flexibility when you convert the raw
file to an image format. You might want to look at ufraw for your
conversions - has many good features.

 

There might be something in what you say but the over riding limitation
of P&S cameras has nothing to do with software manipulation or some nerd
writing software to tamper with the thing... It's the plastic lenses!

Beside that. Any halfway decent Photo editing program - like photoslop,
can artificially extend the dynamic range of an image as you go through
sorting out the keepers and the throw aways. Hell even picasa can do it
on the fly.

 

Thank you Floyd. As always your posts are informative and most helpful.

 

*yawn*

 

Navas appears to be at least as much of a mindless asshole as Ow Gawd.

Both of them sound like those guys who sit home alone at night doing strange
things with small furry animals...