I am a lukewarm convert to RAW

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

sort of.

But only because I found a program that is simple to use, and actually works!

rawshooteressentials

[ManiacJoe]

1. Nothing wrong with shooting jpeg.

The advantage of raw is that you have so much more room (color, no data loss, etc.) to play with in post-processing. If you do not care to do much post-processing, and if you tend to get the pictures correct in the camera, you can usually adjust the camera settings to get good jpegs right out of the box.

I swap between raw and jpeg based on what I am shooting.

[RagingInMiami]

2. The advantage of RAW is that you will always have the original file

JPEG loses quality over time.

[ManiacJoe]

3. Not so much as "over time"

as "every time you save a previously saved jpeg".

[NashVegas]

4. The Funny Thing About RAW Shooting

Is that when you figure in the cost of storing the original files (memory card), the cost of shooting digital approaches the cost of film. At least for me, it does.

It just doesn't take up as much physical space.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. My conversion only lasted until today

I do better work with photoshop on jpegs, but, that's just me.

[JeffR]

6. Just my advice, don't abandon it all together

Take a few test shots just to play with, and make adjustments in RAW before export to TIF or whatever format and Photoshopping. Maybe do half a dozen subtle variations of the RAW. I went through a similar process after reading this advice somewhere on the web (link: ??? - can't remember). It got me hooked.

For me, at least, I've found that what I can output to Photoshop already post-processed somewhat in RAW can make a big difference in terms of 'shopping time even necessary. It doesn't necessarily work for every photo, but especially for black & white conversions, it really opens up possibilities and allows amazing post- control over Photoshop alone.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. Oh, I don't plan to, but I think some of the

people who rant about it are, well, idiots in disguise. And some of them are not even trying too hard to hide.

I imagine it has it's place, but it is too much off an ass pain to keep track of, IMHO.