Problems with photos on computer

[Kleiber]

I bought a nice DSLR camera a few months ago, but when I download my pics on to my computer, I can't open the file as it tells me they're too big. They print OK. Never had this problem with my little old compact digital camera. Can anyone point this technophobe in the right direction to fix this, please? I want to send some pics to friends but am concerned that they won't be able to open them either. Ta. Kx

[ChuckFickens]

A decent image viewer will open them

http://download.cnet....-2192_4-10021962.html

But, if they are that large then you'll probably have problems sending them to people via email as there are limits to the size of files you can attach to emails. (varies by provider)

[Answerprancer]

Do you have your camera set to save images as RAW files ? That could be the problem - you may need to get some software that can read RAW.

[Kleiber]

Aw, thanks for prompt replies. I'll have a look at your link, Chuck. Answerprancer, what the heck is a RAW file? (I told you I was a technophobe!!) K

[Answerprancer]

RAW files are a DSLR's 'pure and unadulterated' large file format (the best to work with IMO).
You could go through the camera's settings and set it to save pictures as JPEGs which should open on your computer with no problem at all.

[Old_Geezer]

Wow ! How big is "too big" ? Maybe you didn't have enough memory to hold all the picture data ;-)

[Grandpappy]

Try something like Gimp. It will convert RAW files into JPG's . If they are RAW files they will be about 25/30Mb but they wouldn't print . Try another program like Fileminimiser to reduce the size and not reduce the quality before sending as emails. You don't say what camera it is,but as Answerprancer has stated ,go through the settings and 'untick' RAW.
Good luck and enjoy

[saxy_jag]

RAW files are huge. That's because they are very fine and contain so much more information. For most recreational photographers, though, they're not necessary and you should set your camera to JPEG. Many DSLRs will give you a choice of image resolution too - the lower it is, the smaller the file.

If you have a Nikon, then you need to be aware that their RAW format is different to everyone else's. You can get cheap/free software that will open and/or convert it but not to manipulate it.

[Fitzer]

Actually everybody's RAW formats are different from each other and indeed can be different between models from the same manufacturer. However, all camera manufacturers supply software to allow (most) computer systems to convert RAW to jpeg.
What camera, make and model, and what are you using to download them to the computer?

[Kleiber]

Thanks, everyone, for your tips. I'm still working on it - I'll keep you posted as to progress!! K x