Archiving RAW files - Wise or not wise?

[pip22]

What's the consensus on archiving your images in RAW format? I've been told that shooting in RAW is fine (which I do), but archiving them as RAW is unwise because in years from now you may not be able to read them since it's not a standardised format - it's proprietary and varies according to the camera manufacturer (which is true). Much better, I'm told, to convert them to a universal format (low-compression jpeg or tiff)and archive these instead. I've already archived a couple of hundred ORF files (Olympus raw)
and now wonder wether that was a smart move. Anyone?

[RTaylor]

You should archive your RAW images.
If something you adjusted in the saved tiff file wasnt what you wanted, you would not have the raw file to go back to.

I have been archiveing the raw and tiff or jpg files all on the same DVD

Some people archive the raw on a DVD then any that they convert to tiff or jpg get archived on a separated DVD.

I think archiving both is your best bet

I dont think it would be in the best interest for camera makers to create raw files that will not be accessible in the future.

[pip22]

Thanks for your input. So it seems archiving RAW is to be recommended (I agree with your reasoning - always having the original capture to work from in the future) accompanied by a converted version of each file. The 'belt and braces' approach makes sense to me!
Thanks again.

Pip

[STaylor]

Ruth as always has provided great advise

One additionally thing to consider is media lifespan

excerpt from cnet

"Unlike pressed original CDs, burned CDs have a relatively short life span of between two to five years, depending on the quality of the CD," Gerecke says. "There are a few things you can do to extend the life of a burned CD, like keeping the disc in a cool, dark space, but not a whole lot more."


Read Full Story .. > http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7597_7-...hreadID=149723

[RTaylor]

Great link Paul
I knew there was info out there about it someplace, just didnt know where.

I have decided to go through my DVD's a little at a time and copy off what I think I would really want then back up those onto another DVD once I get close to the 3 year life span.

Although I have a couple CD's with family history info and pics on them from 1990 and so far they are still working. But I think I better back them up again too

I was just surprised they also mentioned magnetic tape.
My Dad has a tape of my voice when I was 2 and we tried to play it about 20 years ago and it was real scratchy and just wasnt the same as when I heard it years ago. Yes I'm over 30 but under 100

I found a great use for 5 1/4 floppies
I use them as coffee coasters at my desk at work. Its a real conversation piece, people keep asking if I have an extra to give them for their desk LOL