I have a slight issue with my new 30D. Whenever I flip it into an auto mode, which I like to do when I hand my camera over to a novice, it switches the format to jpeg capture. I shoot exclusively in RAW so this is a real problem for me. Is there a setting I can change to fix this issue, or was this a design thing?

My last EOS was a D60, so I may just be unaware of the way these newer cameras work.

In all other respects I am absolutely loving this camera.

I'm guessing it's a design thing. My rebelXT is that way- switch it to Auto mode, and the choice for Raw disappears completely from the 'quality' menu.

I would expect the 30D to be a bit more advanced, but maybe it's just a Canon trait.

- Joe U.

My DRebel and 40D are the same way. Just a Canon thing I guess. You loose a ton of menu options when you switch to the full auto modes.

Simple answer is No. Raw is only available in the creative modes. The closest you can get to Auto in the creative modes and have Raw is to put the camera in P or Program mode.

I never use Auto anyways, just turn on the flash in P.

yeah, auto's a garbage mode anyways. P does the same thing except gives you more choices like RAW, ISO, and AF.

yeah, auto's a garbage mode anyways. P does the same thing except gives you more choices like RAW, ISO, and AF.
Not to mention for some odd reason, at least on JPEG mode, I can take more pictures in P.

P does the same thing except gives you more choices like RAW, ISO, and AF.
And in P mode you can change shutter and aperture by turning the Main Dial. With the Quick Control dial on the back you can change exposure compensation. I think of it as Lazy Manual mode.
When I hand my camera to the girl friend it's in P mode.
Jimmy B

And in P mode you can change shutter and aperture by turning the Main Dial. With the Quick Control dial on the back you can change exposure compensation. I think of it as Lazy Manual mode.
When I hand my camera to the girl friend it's in P mode.
Jimmy B

You guys seem to be missing the point. It's not for me. I am talking about when I hand my camera to a completely clueless person. Someone who doesn't know the first thing about cameras. The kind of person you have to instruct how to focus without takeing a picture at the same time. the whole point is i want to take ALL of the guesswork out of it. I have accepted that I will have to take JPEGs to do that, oh well.

Thanks for all the replies guys. :)

In the green square of happiness you can't shoot RAW. If you want to hand the camera to someone and have them shoot RAW it will have to be in P.
P is basically P&S.
Jimmy B

Seriously, do you really think someone who knows nothing about the camera or photography, would really need a raw file? This is probably Canon's way of thinking. Auto is basically for beginners who may get acceptable results in the "newbie" mode, but until they learn what they are doing, will never shoot anything worthy of raw.

Seriously, do you really think someone who knows nothing about the camera or photography, would really need a raw file? This is probably Canon's way of thinking. Auto is basically for beginners who may get acceptable results in the "newbie" mode, but until they learn what they are doing, will never shoot anything worthy of raw.

The RAW file is not for them. It's for me. As I am usually the one who ends up editing whatever gets captured, i would prefer a RAW file. Honestly I feel somewhat lost with JPEGs anymore. After yers of nothing but RAW files it is like having my fingers cut off.

I understand what you are saying, but you have to admit it is kind of a blind assumption that we may never want a RAW image from auto settings.

I understand what you are saying, but you have to admit it is kind of a blind assumption that we may never want a RAW image from auto settings.

I don't have to admit anything. :p I'm assuming a beginner would never want a raw image from auto settings. Actually, I know of quite a few semi pros who shoot all jpeg.

The only advantage that I've seen from shooting raw, is to be able to reclaim near blown highlights and for being able to adjust white balance after the fact.

I know where you're coming from John. I switched to sports mode one day while shooting my nephews baseball game. I had forgotten all about it only shooting in jpeg. I was a little disappointed when I got home and saw they were jpegs. Not only did I loose some PP latitude, but it also changes the naming convention on the file. Not a huge deal, but it's was a little anoying.

You're only real option for the situations you are describing is to put it in P mode, like others have said. It is basically P&S without the flash. Of course it's not idiot proof. If the operator moves one of the dials, they could end up adjusting the exposure compensation without knowing it.

but it also changes the naming convention on the file.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: What the heck are you talking about? Care to explain?

Sure. When I shoot in RAW with my DRebel, the file names start with CRW. When I shoot in jpeg, the files names start with IMG (haven't shot jpegs with the 40D). So in order to view the images in the order they were taken, you have to change they way you sort the files. My default sort is by image name, so all of the jpegs would get put to the bottom of the list.

It's not a big deal by any means, just something I find anoying.

Interesting. This is the way I do it. I shoot raw plus small jpeg. This way, when I copy the images to my PC, they line up in order, and then I can view the jpeg thumbnails and immediately delete the real losers, along with the corresponding raw file. With what's left, I open with the windows and fax viewer and move from one jpeg to the next and anything that doesn't make the cut, also gets deleted along with the corresponding raw file. What's left, are the "keepers". This is the only reason I shoot jpegs along with raw. I like to be able to view them all right away.

Different strokes for different folks. :)

You guys seem to be missing the point. It's not for me. I am talking about when I hand my camera to a completely clueless person. Someone who doesn't know the first thing about cameras. The kind of person you have to instruct how to focus without takeing a picture at the same time. the whole point is i want to take ALL of the guesswork out of it. I have accepted that I will have to take JPEGs to do that, oh well.

Thanks for all the replies guys. :)

Not missing the point at all. Re-Read this post. Says it all. Now you have to decide what you want to do.

http://forums.photographyreview.com/showpost.php?p=274538&postcount=4

MJS / Almo

I shoot a 30D and it does not matter what I shoot in (RAW or JPG). All my files start as IMGxxxxxx then adds what format .CR2 or .JPG .

And like it has been said, RAW can only be shot in "creative modes". P is a creative mode similar to Auto but with the ability to turn on or off flash and change some other stuff with the quick dial. Using P is like using Auto but this is the closest thing to what you are looking for to be able to shoot in RAW.

Phil

MJS.....

I shoot a 30D and it does not matter what I shoot in (RAW or JPG). All my files start as IMGxxxxxx then adds what format .CR2 or .JPG .

I just checked my recycle bin, and mine do the same. I also shoot the 30D.

mn...

I had to take a look at mine while I was typing the last post.... Then I checked again as I began to wonder if I was a "little off" today.... Been one of those days.....

Phil

Ok im the newbie youd have to explain everything too to start with, what is RAW setting anyway, and you are talking about digital cameras right? im still trying to learn bare with me.
Army

A RAW file is like a digital negative. All of the information you capture when you take a photo is retained in the RAW file. This RAW file then needs to be processed in a RAW converter software such as Adobe Camera RAW. If you shot in jpeg mode, your camera is processing the RAW date for you and outputting the image as a jpeg file. So basically the camera is making some choices for you when it comes to what that final image looks like. By shooting in RAW, you have more information to work with in post processing, and more control over what the final image will look like. To sum it up, RAW files have more info, and more flexibility when it comes to the final image.

someone who has no idea how to use a camera will still be able to use P mode. Just set all the stuff for them before you hand them the camera. ISO 400 if you're unsure, AI single focus, and you're done. Hand them the camera and it works just like AF. It's just as complicated at that point as using it in Auto would be.