20 replies to this topic

[bosastroguy]

When imaging using my Canon 6D, I have been creating both raw files and .jpg files for all my images.  I use the .jpg files to view, sort and remove files that I dont want from my imaging sessions. This uses extra memory and I would prefer not to do it this way.    Is there software that will allow me to view raw files quickly without bringing them into PS or LR?  I do my stacking in DSS and post processing in PS.  Thanks. 

[dswtan]

Adobe Bridge can be good for this. Incredibly, it’s no cost! 

[Jlex]

Are you imaging in raw+jpeg or converting raw into jpeg after your session?  DSS will score your images if you register before stacking, this allows you to remove bad subs that passed your eyeball test.  

 

You can use the Canon EOS Utility to download your images to laptop/desktop for viewing/elimination, pair your camera to device with micro USB, camera will auto detect device, it's a great feature.  

[asanmax]

FastStone Image Viewer

[chanrobi]

FastStone Image Viewer

Came here to say this, been using faststone for like 10 years

But also, you don't necessarily need this. Win 7 and 10 can view cr2's natively through photos, you don't need a separate program

[pedit]

I use FastRawViewer for quick viewing raw files.  It has a shadow boost mode that aids in reviewing dark images.

[F.Meiresonne]

Came here to say this, been using faststone for like 10 years

But also, you don't necessarily need this. Win 7 and 10 can view cr2's natively through photos, you don't need a separate program

That is correct. I happen to come across this some time ago..i opened by mistake a CR2 file and Win 10 searched for some add in i guess and it simply worked.

[TomC_RR]

I use the Canon DPP4 program. Its free and give better results than windows.

[Alen K]

I believe IrfanView will view these types of raw files.

[bosastroguy]

Great, thanks for all the good suggestions.  Will be nice not to have to take .jpg with my raw files.

[Jetstarz99]

I second using Canon's, Digital Photo Professional, it is what I use all the time, to view CR2 files.

If you bought the camera New, it would have come with it, other wise, it is easy to find and download.

 

You will need your Serial number.

 

I also use the 'remote shooting' feature to start my astro sessions. It allows control of the camera and it's settings. I do my focus and tracking test shots, and then switch to a tablet for multiple subs. The built in intervalometer, unfortunately will NOT allow an interval SHORTER than the Exposure, so no good for astro.

 

For tweaking pictures of all kinds, I use DDP, it is good enough for me, and I have zero interest in Adobe's subscription model.

 

I also run as the EAA engine on a windows computer running, a program I found some where. 

 

- Cheers

[bosastroguy]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm going to try Canon DPP.  I like the fact that I can control the camera with this software.  It may take me a while to figure out but gonna give it a try.  

[jgraham]

I use the free Digital Photo Professional that came with my Canon camera. For FITS and TIFFs I use Nebulosity 4.

[Piotr K.]

Does any of the above mentioned programs allow for skipping through the set of raws, but with the same preview zoom factor? For quick checking if the stars are trailing due to some guiding problems etc.

 

In ASI Fits Viewer it's possible, but it doesn't support raws - only fits. For checking fits, I set magnification at, say, 100%, and by clicking left and right arrows I can quickly check all fit files.

 

IrfanView doesn't allow this - each new frame in loaded in "fit to screen" zoom, so to check stars I have to magnify each frame separately. This doesn't allow for quick and intuitive comparison.

What I do for raw is I check them in APT Image viewer - it allows for skipping between raw frames in magnified mode. But the quality of the image after Autostretch is not even close to the autostretch of fits in ASI Fits Viewer.

So, if anyone knows a software which allows for skipping between raw frames while keeping the same zoom factor of the preview - please write it here

[timelapser]

IrfanView doesn't allow this - each new frame in loaded in "fit to screen" zoom, so to check stars I have to magnify each frame separately. This doesn't allow for quick and intuitive comparison.

I'm not sure if this is what you want, but if you choose the zoom level you want and then select View -> Lock Zoom in Irfanview it will maintain your zoom setting as you run through the images in the current directory.  That works for windowed view.  For full screen, choose your zoom with ctrl+/- or whatever, and then hit shift-L to lock the zoom.

[Alen K]

I'm not sure if this is what you want, but if you choose the zoom level you want and then select View -> Lock Zoom in Irfanview it will maintain your zoom setting as you run through the images in the current directory.  That works for windowed view.  For full screen, choose your zoom with ctrl+/- or whatever, and then hit shift-L to lock the zoom.

I didn't know about that feature! For me, it solves half the typical problem when flipping through images. The other half is keeping the position in the images constant from image to image when zoomed in. I can't seem to stop IrfanView from resetting the position to the upper left corner for every new image. Typically, I would prefer to always look at the center of an image. I tried activating the scroll lock feature, but it didn't seem to change that behavior. I am running version 4.6.0, 64-bit. 

[otoien]

If you are in full screen view zoom to 100% center view by pressing 1. You can then use right and left mouse button to advance forth and back through images zoomed at 100% center view. Pressing 2 will go back to view the whole image. This is at least how I have set it up, one might have to look into custom full screen view settings if that does not work this way for you.

Edited by otoien, 05 April 2023 - 01:45 AM.

[vidrazor]

Assuming you're on Windows, I will echo FastStone Image Viewer. It will allow you to see pretty much any image, not just your raw files, and you can do some cool things like look at up to 4 images side-by-side for comparison.

[chanrobi]

Does any of the above mentioned programs allow for skipping through the set of raws, but with the same preview zoom factor? For quick checking if the stars are trailing due to some guiding problems etc.

 

In ASI Fits Viewer it's possible, but it doesn't support raws - only fits. For checking fits, I set magnification at, say, 100%, and by clicking left and right arrows I can quickly check all fit files.

 

IrfanView doesn't allow this - each new frame in loaded in "fit to screen" zoom, so to check stars I have to magnify each frame separately. This doesn't allow for quick and intuitive comparison.

What I do for raw is I check them in APT Image viewer - it allows for skipping between raw frames in magnified mode. But the quality of the image after Autostretch is not even close to the autostretch of fits in ASI Fits Viewer.

So, if anyone knows a software which allows for skipping between raw frames while keeping the same zoom factor of the preview - please write it here

Fastone does

[timelapser]

The other half is keeping the position in the images constant from image to image when zoomed in. I can't seem to stop IrfanView from resetting the position to the upper left corner for every new image. Typically, I would prefer to always look at the center of an image. I tried activating the scroll lock feature, but it didn't seem to change that behavior. I am running version 4.6.0, 64-bit. 

"Keep Scroll position" (ctrl-shift-k) works fine for me - either on windowed view or full screen.  I can maintain both the zoom level (with zoom lock) and the scroll position as I flip through the folder.

 

I do have an older version of Irfanview, though (4.44 32bit).

Edited by timelapser, 05 April 2023 - 05:09 PM.

[Piotr K.]

Great, thank you all for answering! I've just downloaded FastStone, it seems that it is doing what I wanted I also have to check IrfanView - from what you guys write it seems that it is also capable of maintainig both the zoom ratio and the image position when flipping through raws - but my version displays error message when I try to open raw file. I have to check the plugins, probably mine are outdated...