CR2 File Conversion

[Michelle_Scales]

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.

[Tronhard]

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?

[Michelle_Scales]

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

[Tronhard]

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?

[Tronhard]

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 

[jrhoffman75]

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.

[kvbarkley]

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

[Michelle_Scales]

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.

[Tronhard]

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.

[Michelle_Scales]

Thanks Trevor.  I’ll give that a try.