Storing RAW files on computer before editing

[ccb]

Hi,

I am going to Europe for the summer, and will, of course, bring my camera and as many memory cards I possibly can. My husband will bring his laptop. He has no picture software installed apart from Iphoto.
My question is:
In order to clear room on my memory cards, will I be able to simply store my RAW files in a folder on his computer without processing/converting the files, and then move them over to my computer afterwards to process them in Camera Raw and PS? Or do i need any software to handle even storing them in a folder?

[alex3410]

you can store the files on his laptop for later use but you wont be able to view them

but they will be perfectly safe for use when you get home on your computer

[ccb]

So i can just move them from one hard-drive to another without problems, not just view them?
Cool, it's what I thought, but I didn't want to take any chances,

thank you!!

[alex3410]

yep

my work flow when on holiday is to empty the card onto my laptop, format the card ready for the next day. then burn the photos from that day to DVD's so i have two copies of them (so they are backed up)

this means when i get home i already have them ready to pop into my desktop.

this year however i think i will take my external HDD instead of DVD's or my old ipod

[Digidave]

I would recommend that you definitely use some sort of backup. DVD's is okay but I use one of these.

WD External HardDrive

This a pretty good price also!!

[digirebelva]

Without the raw drivers installed the laptop wont even see the files on the memory cards for you to be able to transfer them the OS (mac or windows) does not come with raw drivers pre-installed..
test it out before you leave to make sure

[Digidave]

What camera? What operating system? Nikon? Canon?

With answers, we can lead you in the right direction.

[Murtasma]

RAW is nothing special just another file stored on the memory card. As long as the memory card is formated with a file system the computer can read you can copy the file off the memory card and store it on the computer with no issue. The file system used by all the major camera manufactures will be able to be read on PCs and Macs with out issue. You won't be able to view the file on the laptop but you can store it there and copy it to your machine no problem.

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

RAW is nothing special just another file stored on the memory card. As long as the memory card is formated with a file system the computer can read you can copy the file off the memory card and store it on the computer with no issue. The file system used by all the major camera manufactures will be able to be read on PCs and Macs with out issue. You won't be able to view the file on the laptop but you can store it there and copy it to your machine no problem.

Thats interesting because on 2 previous computers (win os) I was unable to even select the raw files until I had loaded the raw codecs...the system simply didnt even see them on the memory cards as files

[alex3410]

the only situation where you will need drivers will be if you are using the camera to transfer the photos via its usb cable, i assumed you would be plugging the cards directly into the laptop via a card reader which would not need any drivers. This would be the best solution as it does not require any software/drivers to access the files and it does not require your camera to be turned on.

as far as i know there is no such thing as RAW drivers as RAW is just a way of storing information like .jpg/.doc/.txt/.ppt/.http etc

but as suggested try it out first to be on the safe side