RAW or CRAW?

Only RF · 2026-09-12T17:07:17+0100

After almost 20 years of shooting RAW I have been contemplating using CRAW. After watching this video I'm going to try CRAW for my C1-3 modes which are for sports and birding. M mode I will leave at RAW for landscapes, indoor low lighting, etc.

I was curios about which format the members here use?

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chipman · 2026-09-12T17:15:30+0100

I shoot JPEG with CRAW for backup. I think I used the CRAW files twice last year for difficult low light shots.

SwampGrizz · 2026-09-12T17:46:52+0100

I shoot craw most of the time, and can’t tell the difference between it and raw other than file size. I shoot jpeg when I want to get something out fast (family pics) and don’t want to go home and tweak it. I used to only shoot jpeg until I discovered that you could recover more highlights/shadows with craw. JPEGs are fine, it’s just a matter of whether I want to fool with it later or not.

Only RF · 2026-09-12T18:04:41+0100

SwampGrizz said:
I shoot craw most of the time, and can’t tell the difference between it and raw other than file size. I shoot jpeg when I want to get something out fast (family pics) and don’t want to go home and tweak it. I used to only shoot jpeg until I discovered that you could recover more highlights/shadows with craw. JPEGs are fine, it’s just a matter of whether I want to fool with it later or not.

I like your signature. Your turtle shots may be famous one day. Watched a show about Viviane Maier. The interviewed an older fellow in her home town in Italy. "People took pictures of weddings and confirmations. She took pictures of garbage cans". The guy which found her negs at a garage sale was like finding a gold mine.

ShipleyNW · 2026-09-12T18:15:36+0100

I switched over to CRAW a couple of years ago and never looked back.

SwampGrizz · 2026-09-12T18:32:03+0100

Only RF said:
I like your signature. Your turtle shots may be famous one day. Watched a show about Viviane Maier. The interviewed an older fellow in her home town in Italy. "People took pictures of weddings and confirmations. She took pictures of garbage cans". The guy which found her negs at a garage sale was like finding a gold mine.

I guess there are worse things in life than to be known as The Famous Turtle Guy. There may be a few bucks in it. The ironic thing is that I don’t have any turtle pictures in my vast portfolio. I need to get busy and head out to the swamp or back to summer camp. The difference between Ms. Maier and me is that she had talent. When I croak and they look in my archives, they are going to wonder “what in the hell was this guy thinking”.

jcass · 2026-09-12T23:57:04+0100

It is embarrassing to admit, bit I still shoot RAW.

Only RF · 2026-09-13T00:02:15+0100

jcass said:
It is embarrassing to admit, bit I still shoot RAW.

It’s not. I’ve shot RAW until yesterday and it’s still an experiment. Quite a few years ago I tried CRAW but went back to RAW quickly. I can’t even remember why. Knowing myself that meant even if one molecule was missing it couldn’t be good

gossamer88 · 2026-09-13T00:10:21+0100

The best reason IMO to choose CRAW is if you're a high burst shooter for wildlife or sports for example. CRAW are slightly smaller in size and the buffer would clear quicker.

jcass · 2026-09-13T00:12:51+0100

I think if you're saving images to an online account, it is 2x significant. I have redundant TB drives. So, I still shoot RAW.

Bucolic Old Sir Henry · 2026-09-13T00:21:24+0100

I started using CRAW a few years back when I wanted to maximise shots per card on an extended overseas trip. I've never been able to discern a difference in image quality, so I've stuck with it.

JCBigler · 2026-09-13T01:47:34+0100

I also only shoot in RAW, with jpeg as backup on the second card, but I almost never even look at those.

Even with the 32.5mp resolution of the R6m3, I get so many shots on my 128GB cards that I don't really need to add more shots per card. It's over 3,000 shots for the m3 and over 4,000 for the m2.

I already don't have time to edit the pictures that I take now. And I don't do a lot of fast action shooting other than air shows and so far I haven't experienced a need to be able to shoot faster.

Once you guys finish comparing CRAW to RAW, let me know what you think and I might switch after you finish testing for the rest of us.

Only RF · 2026-09-13T04:09:20+0100

JCBigler said:
I also only shoot in RAW, with jpeg as backup on the second card, but I almost never even look at those.

Even with the 32.5mp resolution of the R6m3, I get so many shots on my 128GB cards that I don't really need to add more shots per card. It's over 3,000 shots for the m3 and over 4,000 for the m2.

I have never even come close to half filling my 128GB. That includes experimenting with Pre Continous and 40 fps on my R6III. One time after culling I realized I had grown a beard.

I think I'll stick to 20fps.

JCBigler said:
I already don't have time to edit the pictures that I take now. And I don't do a lot of fast action shooting other than air shows and so far I haven't experienced a need to be able to shoot faster.

Once you guys finish comparing CRAW to RAW, let me know what you think and I might switch after you finish testing for the rest of us.

PKM-UK · 2026-09-13T06:49:15+0100

I did some side by side tests between RAW and CRAW a while back and I really struggled to discern any difference (but there was a very slight difference in some shots - mostly involving fine detail in shadow areas). I’m not sure anyone outside of the obsessive pixel-peeper club (i.e. people like me) would ever notice (or care). These days I have 2 saved camera sets for my R5 II - 1 intended for zoos (CRAW), 2 for everything else (RAW). I regularly forget to switch back to set 2 after visiting a zoo - and the world keeps turning. Karen shoots CRAW.

Look at our images - which were shot RAW and which were shot CRAW? (I have no idea without looking). Make of this what you will…

Phil

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