Stupid newbie questions

[micromontenegro]

Ok, so I am a digital doofus. I know nothing at all about all this newfangled, non film things, so please bear with me.

Tired of living in the XX century, I bought an M8, to test the waters. And I am finding something very odd: when I chose "jpg fine" and "10MP" fron the menu, I exepcted to find a 10 mega jpg file. Instead, I am getting jpg files closer to 1K. Going down on resolution gets me files as small as 100K. I am used to getting 20-30 M from my film scans, so... that can't be normal, can it?

Also, choosing "DNG+JPG fine", I assumed I would get a DNG file and a JPG file. But nooo, I am getting two DNG files. Pray say, what am I doing wrong?

I know from what I have read that I should be using the RAW files anyway, but my PC does not have a CD drive, so I haven't installed the sofware yet. So I'd like to stay with jpg's for a while... but 1K files amount to almost nothing.

 

[Richard G]

What software are you using to import the files? It sounds like all of your problems ought to be easily fixed in that program.

 

[micromontenegro]

I am using Photoshop Elements 2.0. But even in windows file manager, files come out as 1-1.5K.

 

[Chyn]

I've never encountered this problem before. What is your version of Windows, and how are you importing your images (via USB cable or directly by mounting the SD card)?

Edit: Wait...Elements 2.0, vintage 2002? It could be that you're running a much older version of Windows, which doesn't recognize the modern file structure of your M8's SD card.

 

[david.elliott]

Never used a leica digital camera, but MP is megapixels and that does not have an equal relationship to megabytes which is the size of the file. A 10 megapixel jpeg will not be 10 megabytes. Not sure if that is what you were asking about though....

 

[micromontenegro]

Chyn, I am using an USB cable and Windows XP.

David, you make a very good point. I was wrong to expect 10 megabytes. But even so, my files are 60x smaller than my wife's point and shoot ones.

 

[david.elliott]

I think a 10megapixel jpeg should be 1.5 - 2.5 megabytes depending upon the quality. Not totally sure about that but I think that is a good approximation / guess.

 

[ricnak]

When I first got my M9 I did not have the right software either. I transferred files via a USB cable also and got strange results. I got small tiff files. Then I tried transferring files from the card and all was well.

Good luck

 

[micromontenegro]

Thanks, Ric. I'll try on my wife's laptop- my card reader died- and I'll report back.

David, I am checking my wife's Canon G1o files, and they run 6-6.5 megabytes. Mine are between 1 and 1.9 kilobytes!

 

[gdi]

I just checked some old M8 Jpgs and they are around 4 Megs or so, depending upon how well the content compresses. I am pretty sure that is for the Fine setting. Unless you are shooting a white wall or empty blue sky I think you are going to get files a lot larger than 2.5 megs and of course 1.k sounds way off....

 

[doolittle]

Sounds like you are getting the jpg preview file which is embedded in the raw file.

 

[david.elliott]

I think you must be looking at the raw's jpeg preview then.

 

[micromontenegro]

Folks, now I am using a card reader and I am getting far bigger files- around 2 Mega. Still small, but now within reason. I am flabbergasted, but very thankful! I shall now commision my wife's notebook until I get a reader of my own.

Still, it should work with the USB connection!

 

[micromontenegro]

Also, now I am getting JPG previews for RAW files, whereas I was getting two TIFF files in my PC (and no jpg preview). Again, go figure. Might need a new computer.

 

[ricnak]

you just need the software. I like Lightroom. Simple to use.

I use dng and jpeg. My jpeg files range from 2-5 megs and the dng files are 35megs.

 

[doolittle]

Also, now I am getting JPG previews for RAW files, whereas I was getting two TIFF files in my PC (and no jpg preview). Again, go figure. Might need a new computer.

And they try to tell you digital will save you money! Get Lightroom while you are at it, a much more pleasant experience to Elements.
Best of luck with the new camera!

 

[micromontenegro]

Hahaha, thanks a lot. The learning curve WILL be steep. As a parting shot, here's Tadeo, my kid. In an even smaller file, as it was shot as monochrome. Contax Sonnar 50/1.5 via Amedeo adapter.


L1000044 by Santiago Montenegro, on Flickr

 

[I Love Film]

STOP using software programs to import files.

Just copy them into a folder on your computer with a card reader.

Toss out all your crummy software that came with cameras, etc.

 

[micromontenegro]

That's what I just did. Nevertheless, it is now clear that I am the Fred Flinstone of software. Sigh-$.