topic Re: CR2 File Conversion in Camera Software

CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:04:45 GMT

Hello Everyone:

I'm having trouble converting CR2 image files to images. And once I can convert the files, how do I not lose image quality?

Thanks in advance.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Tronhard — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:40:46 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum Michelle: {:-)

CR2, being a RAW file format has all the data recorded by the camera. JPG format is a compressed, what is called Lossy format that by definition throws away a lot of the image data in order to make the file smaller.

One critical question is what are you trying to produce from the file?

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:59:47 GMT

Hello Trevor and thank you! I’m trying to upload the images to Shutterfly to share with friends and print copies.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Tronhard — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:05:25 GMT

It will help to know what camera you are using, but more significantly, what resolution and file formats Shutterfly accepts or requires. As I understand it, Shutterfly is a service that allows one to print books and other hardcopy output, so what specifically are you trying to produce and how big?

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Tronhard — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:10:20 GMT

A quick check on Shutterfly's Help system came up with the following page on resolution, which seems to indicate that anything over 10MB is not necessary: Shutterfly page on Resolution

Re: CR2 File Conversion

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:14:09 GMT

I am assuming you are generally familiar with image editing and have previously edited JPEG files.

For Canon .CR2 files use the free Canon DPP4 software. It's the same for all camera models; you can use this link to get the software and manual.

Canon Support for EOS-1D X Mark III | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

You can select your desired output JPEG dimensions when you output the file.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

kvbarkley — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:16:30 GMT

What software are you using? What are you doing to "convert"?

Re: CR2 File Conversion

kvbarkley — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:17:39 GMT

Note, that if you drag and drop on the Mac from Photos, you get the relatively low quality preview. It is best to File->Export for total control.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 20:53:13 GMT

Thank you kvbarkley.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 20:57:47 GMT

I’m opening the CR2 file in Photos and saving as JPEG and then trying to upload to Shutterfly, but Shutterfly won’t accept the JPEG. Or if I send JPEG by email it is low quality.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Tronhard — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 21:10:58 GMT

Strongly suggest you download the Canon Digital Photo Professional software program, that is free with your camera. You can find the software on the Canon support site for your camera model. That will enable you to control the file conversion process and you can do some edits if you need to.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 22:32:57 GMT

Thanks Trevor. I’ll give that a try.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

rs-eos — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 22:39:32 GMT

The nice thing about RAW is that image editing applications will keep them as-is. To include Canon's DPP, Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Camera RAW). And editing will be non-destructive. Rather than directly edit the original RAW files, a separate file is used to keep track of the edits.

However... do be careful if converting your RAW files to DNG files. I've not done this myself, but there's a chance you'd be asked to delete the original RAW version. If you do ever need to convert to DNG, be sure to keep the original RAW files.

Finally, when exporting to sites for printed, or sharing your photos, you can rest assured that the original RAW is still there. So if you exported at a lower quality that what was needed, simply re-export again with higher-quality settings. In fact, you can export multiple versions to suit different needs.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

Michelle_Scales — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:09:08 GMT

It worked, Trevor! Thank you so much. Hours spent trying to resolve this issue.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

kvbarkley — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 01:45:39 GMT

How are you saving them? File->export gives you full control over the resulting JPEG. dragging and dropping gives the low resolution preview.

Re: CR2 File Conversion

amfoto1 — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 17:51:05 GMT

Or buy a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023. Easy to use and can handle a wide variety of file types. There is a lot you can do with it and there also is quite a bit of support for it, such as plug-ins, how-to books and videos, etc. https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buy-elements.html?utm_campaign=cv-nwmp-ae2023&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=AE2023-RSA02-LP1&utm_term=adobe%20elements%202023&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmaibBhCAARIsAKUlaKSkQ4jNMzivNkw8tBvmwvI43-XvWnOeKuDMkA-wn0C5GsMp4rfSWWsaAoY6EALw_wcB

Note: If you want to work with video too, there is a nice discount buying Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements at the same time, in a "bundle".

There are free 30 day download trials available, if you want to give Elements a try before you buy.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2), EOS M5, some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
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