Question about converting my RAW to JPG

[MOmilkman]

I'm not having any trouble doing it it just seems like I'm losing a lot of image quality when I do the convert.

I can take my RAW image and put it up next to my compressed JPG image and there is signifigant loss in image quality. I expect some of course, but I think mine seems excessive.

I'm not doing any real PP work just slightly increasing or decreasing the exposure compensation and maybe changing my WB based on what looks best for each image.

Does anyone else think they lose to much image quality in the conversion process and is there anything else you can do to avoid this (different conversion program)? Or is this completely normal? I've only been in the DLSR world for 3 months now so bear with me.

BTW: I'm using the Canon PP software that came with the camera (Zoom Browser EX)

[OsmosisStudios]

I dont notice a drop in image quality. An example would be great. Take a screenshot of the RAW file in your processor, and a final outputted jpg.

[MOmilkman]

Ah shoot. I was afraid someone would say that. I delete all my RAW files after I convert them. (120 Gig HD)

[sybren]

Dude, you shouldn't do that! Especially if you note a drop in quality! RAW conversion software gets better (or you obtain better software in the process) so in a year from now, you'll be able to get higher quality photos from those same RAW files. To give you an example: I just bought a Noise Ninja Pro license the other day. Now I have the ability to go back to my RAW files and re-convert them to JPEG taking full advantage of Noise Ninja.

You might think "wait a minute, now you'll have to re-edit the RAW files. You can't seriously remember every edit you've ever done to every one of your photos!" Of course I can't, but my editor/converter Bibble Pro is nice enough to remember it for me. All I have to do is check the "Noise Ninja Registered" checkbox and press the "Convert to JPEG" button again. Presto, instant increase in quality.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

Ah shoot. I was afraid someone would say that. I delete all my RAW files after I convert them. (120 Gig HD)

That's what externals are for!

[dcclark]

Can you be more specific about what you mean by "loss in image quality" then? For example -- noise? Different colors? Jaggies? We might be able to tack it down a bit more.

[MOmilkman]

Yea I need to start throwing them on my 500G external. I just hate to put stuff on it. I feel like I'm filling it up. ha ha How stupid is that? I've got a 500 Gig hard drive that I don't want to put anything on. Probably the dumbest thing ever...

What I mostly mean by loss of image quality is...

After converting green grass is not as sharp. Edges are more blurred.

I guess until I get some examples up it's going to be hard to explain.

When I do, (hopefully this weekend) I'll post back here.

[BryanC]

Here's something you can check. With the converter software that came with my camera, (Sony a200), there are different levels of quality to choose from when converting to jpg or tiff from the raw file. Double check yours to see if that's available and that it's set to the highest quality.

When I use mine to convert from raw to jpg at highest quality, there's no noticeable difference between the two.