If you shoot a Canon 1D or 1Ds camera you have the option of shooting several file formats, or combinations there of. I'm sure you're familiar with RAW and JGP, and the various JPG sizes available. You may not be aware that you can also shoot a normal, full size RAW file or a sRAW, a much, much smaller RAW file. That's not the point of this tip.
What is, is this: The button that adjusts or selects White Balance is the same button that is activiated for changing file formats. I've often, by accident, tapped the button one way or another so that I toggled out of White Balance selection and into File Formats. If, accidentally, you roll the selection wheel while doing so, you may find that you're shooting, or at least selecting, a JPG file. That's generally not a problem, either, since the viewfinder display will indicate you are shooting JPG, if you notice the posting on the right side of the viewfinder.
The problem is, if you do notice this, you'll go back and toggle back to file format and select RAW but, and this is a big but, you might pick the wrong one. I use an efilm back as a protector for my LCD monitor and the plastic windows for the file selection (found below the LCD monitor) makes reading the selection a bit difficult. I can easily see if it reads JPG or RAW, but I really have to look closely to see if the RAW file says RAW or sRAW, which is the small file. Worse, in the viewfinder the display only says RAW, and doesn't differentiate between sRAW and RAW.
Of course, if you watch the available images on your counter, or how your buffer has now improved, you might notice something is amiss. Then again, you might not, and if you don't, after making the change back to RAW you might find you are shooting an important shoot or subject with a file size that is almost 10% of the full RAW file!
So, what's the solution? One, pay attention to the display below the LCD monitor. If you are using an eFilm back, pay very close attention, as it may be hard to read. Two, pay attention to your buffer and shot counter, and if you find you have tripled your buffer, then there is something wrong. Third, as a double check, take a shot and go to file info and on the LCD monitor the file type will be displayed, as either RAW or sRAW, and that's in large enough, and bright enough type to be easily read.
Has this happened to me? Have I made this mistake and been bitten by the bad sRAW dog? You bet, and that's why I'm passing on this Tip!+
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CS3 Upgrade
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Go
Liquids
in your Levels - TSA Warnings!
Disconnect
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Photograph America
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Obey
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Wildlife
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Drying out boots
with newspaper
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