Can uncompressed Fujifilm RAF files be converted to the newer compressed RAF format?
Asked 5/21/2019
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2 answers
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I have older 16MP Fujifilm X-Trans cameras that produce uncompressed RAF files around 30MB each. Newer 24MP Fujifilm bodies can save compressed RAF files that are smaller despite the higher resolution.
Is there any way to convert older uncompressed RAF files into Fujifilm’s compressed RAF format after capture?
I’m not looking for generic ZIP-style compression alone, since that requires decompression before normal previewing or raw processing. I’ve also considered DNG, but that may not preserve Fujifilm-specific raw characteristics well enough for my needs.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
1
I'm afraid that uncompressed-to-compressed RAW conversion isn't possible.
RAW files are specific to a particular camera model and if the model doesn't support that newer compressed format, the RAW file wouldn't be readable in the camera and maybe also in RAW development programs.
Anyway, camera manufactures don't offer this option.
Three work around options come to my mind:
- Conventional file compression + list of lower resolution lower quality JPEGs.
If you compress 30MB RAW to 15MB (as you mentioned) and add an 1MB preview JPEG, the savings are still very good and that JPEG should be more than enough for a preview. - Conventional file compression + software than can view RAW image files in an archive.
FastStone MaxView
...even lets you view images in password-protected ZIP, RAR and 7-Zip archive files directly and instantly...
Digital camera RAW formats support, including CRW, CR2, NEF, PEF, RAF, MRW, ORF and DNG.
- Do you really need RAW files or are you mainly interested in the better bit depth? You can convert RAW files to a lossy format supporting 48bpp after developing them in your favourite development software and keep the ability of their re-processing (exposure, HDR tone mapping etc.) in the future.
Originally by user26970. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user26970
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In practice, no. Fujifilm’s compressed RAF format is camera/model-specific, and there isn’t a standard post-processing tool that converts older uncompressed RAFs into the newer in-camera compressed RAF format.
RAW formats are tied closely to how a specific camera writes sensor data and metadata. If an older camera didn’t support compressed RAF when it created the file, you generally can’t repack that file later into a true Fujifilm compressed RAF that software and cameras will treat the same way.
Your realistic alternatives are:
- use normal file compression such as ZIP/7z for storage and transfer
- keep small JPEG previews alongside archived RAFs for quick browsing
- use software that can preview images directly inside compressed archives
Those options won’t create genuine compressed RAF files, but they can reduce storage use while keeping the originals intact.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago