RAW write speed?

[orangeBloke]

As my 5060 is back and repaired again I thought I'd try my hand at using the RAW format. While I like what I can do with the images afterwards I'm not so impressed by the write speed. Each one takes 5+ seconds to save. I thought it might be my CF card but the xD card writes at much the same speed.

Is this normal? It wouldn't be a problem with a non moving subject but for anything else I need to be sure to get it right the first time...which usually is not the case.

How have others been using RAW and how do you cope with the write time?

Thanks

PS Apologies if this has been asked before but I tried searching and the seach engine on the page seems to ignore RAW as something it should search on and returns no results

 

[alcina]

Yes, RAW write speed is a bit slow, but it has actually improved my photography 100 fold...you just have to get used to it and learn to work with it. I also changed cards and it did make a dramatic difference, so you might want to check that, too.

With the extra time it takes to write to the card I can consider my options for settings on a second shot, make adjustments to my angle, more or change the strobe etc. It forces me to think instead of just happy snap.

The number of keepers - true keepers, not just good enough until I can replace them shots - I am getting per dive is way more than when I was shooting jpeg and those that are borderline can be saved for use in certain purposes.

Ask away...I am a convert and it would be a rare circumstance that I would move back to SHQ.

 

[ReyeR]

4 -5 secs is normal.

Generally speaking, I usually get a few off in SHQ JPEG first. Then if it is a particularly interesting subject and it hangs around I switch to RAW.

If it is a slow (or non) moving subject and I am doing extreme close-up shots I use RAW to capture maximum information.

If I'm doing wide angle work with a filter (with or without a strobe) I shoot RAW.

You must have third-party (not Olympus) RAW convertors ie Photoshop to get maximum benifit when shooting RAW.

 

[astrl]

I just decided to switch to RAW also, and I bought a 1GB Compact Flash card to hold the larger images. Someone pointed me to a card that had decent write speeds so we'll see.

astrl