Quick question regarding .nef files.

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Mark Jamison
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p.1 #1 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Is there really any differnece between compressed and uncompressed raw files?

I mean aside from the fact that an uncompressed .nef is about 6 meg larger than a compressed one?

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 06:52 PM

Hendrik
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p.1 #2 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Quality? No

Speed? Yes

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:05 PM

Doug Quance
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p.1 #3 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Some discriminating photogs have said that they see a little difference in the highlights under certain conditions... most see no difference.

As Hendrik said, "Speed? Yes."

That begins the discussion.

In my case, compressed NEFs slow my camera down. In some of the newer cameras, it speeds things up. I have no idea what the case is with a D70.

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:26 PM

jmcfadden
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p.1 #4 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Never Ever seen any difference , I shoot compressed Only now

J

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:31 PM

Doug Quance
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p.1 #5 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

jmcfadden wrote:
Never Ever seen any difference , I shoot compressed Only now

J

John,

Didn't you state once that the compressed files buffer faster in the D2X?

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:34 PM

Mark Jamison
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p.1 #6 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Doug Quance wrote:
Some discriminating photogs have said that they see a little difference in the highlights under certain conditions... most see no difference.

As Hendrik said, "Speed? Yes."

That begins the discussion.

In my case, compressed NEFs slow my camera down. In some of the newer cameras, it speeds things up. I have no idea what the case is with a D70.

Hi Doug,
It's technically moot for a D70, as they only have compressed raw as an option. However on Friday, according to UPS, my .sig will include a D200 to go with the D70, hence the rational for the question.

Ken Rockwell's speed tests indicate that there is no speed difference for compressed vs. uncompressed, and if only someone wo is likely nitpicking can see any kind of difference I'm thinking I would rather have the compressed version. I mean on a 2 Gig card it's the difference between 133 pictures and 222 pictures.

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:38 PM

Mark Jamison
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p.1 #7 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

jmcfadden wrote:
Never Ever seen any difference , I shoot compressed Only now

J

Thanks John that certainly answers my question.

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:42 PM

jmcfadden
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p.1 #8 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Doug Quance wrote:
jmcfadden wrote:
Never Ever seen any difference , I shoot compressed Only now

J

John,

Didn't you state once that the compressed files buffer faster in the D2X?

Yes they are a bit faster , due to the dynamic buffering that actually debuted on the D70 first , but it is the file size I care about most

J

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 07:43 PM

21farms
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p.1 #9 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Mark Jamison wrote:
Is there really any differnece between compressed and uncompressed raw files?

in practical use, the difference in image quality is probably indiscernable to most people but to be completely accurate, the D200's NEF compression is indeed lossy. the user's manual says compression results in "little drop in quality".

interestingly, the D2X's compressed NEF option has "almost no effect on image quality" but even then, that means it is lossy. the D70 can only do compressed NEF and the manual says nothing about whether it is lossless or lossy.

but, again, this is just nitpicking. i plan to find out for myself when i get mine back.

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 08:11 PM

Hendrik
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p.1 #10 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

I never used compressed NEF's, but I always thought it was lossless. 'A little drop in quality' is for me a drop to many. :o

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 09:00 PM

chemprof
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p.1 #11 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

Haven't shot any uncompressed NEF's on my D200. I may at some time, but, from what I hear it will be only for testing purposes, as no one has actually shown that there is a discernible difference. Speed is no problem, unlike with the D100, where all I could effectively shoot was uncompressed.

Gerald

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 09:16 PM

nikonpenguin
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p.1 #12 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

I have D70 and yes it does not have other mode for NEF.
So I use NEF in may times. (It gives 178 pictures on my 1GB, and I have some spare 128Mb cards for emergency.)
Initially I jused JPEG for easy of use, but after I see the quality of NEF, I'm shooting NEF all the time.
So I use JPEG when I shoot family gathering or casual shooting that doesn't need a big file size.

Edited on Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM

Feb 02, 2006 at 09:21 PM

jasin
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p.1 #13 · Quick question regarding .nef files.

My opinion from an early thread:
This has been brought up alot and after swearing black and blue that I had no need to go compressed I found that with the D2x due to file size I just had too.
By the way I have 6 4gig cards and 4 2 gig cards that are frequently full from a days shooting.
After about 3 months of shooting exclusively compressed I believe (I may be the only one) that when shooting compressed I get a slight pink tone in the highlights, I have hue set to +3 to compensate but if my exposure is say 1/3 too hot the pink cast returns more promenently.
I try not to do any post so this is starting to annoy me.
It is similar to the cast you get when shooting jpeg.
Now perhaps, and only perhaps this is a characteristic of compression.
I would be interested in anyone doing some tests.
Cheers,
Jasin.

Feb 02, 2006 at 09:43 PM


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