Canon Digital Rebel XTi RAW support?

I just purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XTi and cannot get RAW files to import into iPhoto. I even tried the Image Capture trick (downloading to disk and then importing) to no avail. The file format is listed as CR2, which is supposed to be supported. Is it possible that Canon is using a different variant of the CR2 format for this camera and that I'll have to wait for another iPhoto or OS X update?

15" MacBook Pro, 2.0 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.7), 2 GB RAM, 100 GB 5400 RPM HD

Posted on Sep 8, 2006 9:16 PM

28 replies

Alan Somers Author

Level 6

9,360 points

Oct 1, 2006 8:41 AM in response to Sunny's mommy

Yes, the camera does have a USB connection, but the down side to transferring directly from the camera is that you're using up battery power for the transfers (unless you're using an AC adapter). Most cameras nowadays support the USB Mass Storage Device protocol, so they do mount on the desktop.

A card reader is a USB device with slots for one or more types of flash cards (depending on the reader you choose). You eject the card from the camera, insert it into the card reader, plug the reader into your computer's USB port (which causes the card to mount on the desktop), and download the pictures. The reader I have is a single format (Compact Flash) one-piece unit with a built-in USB plug (i.e. no cable), which I find to be much less ungainly when connecting to my laptop than stringing a cable from the camera to the laptop.

It's mostly a matter of preference.

Oct 1, 2006 4:23 PM in response to Alan Somers

I'm confused. You mentioned the USB Mass Storage Device protocol so would the XTi mount on the desktop? If so, why would the person have problems ejecting the camera?

If the XTi comes with the USB Mass Storage Device protocol, I wouldn't have to worry about getting a card reader, right?

As for the battery issue, with my Sony digital camera, I keep it plugged in unless I'm actually taking pictures - that's the only way to charge the battery.

Thanks again, in advance, all the info. Much obliged.

Oct 2, 2006 8:02 AM in response to EDMONTON ESKIMOS

I simply turn off the camera, a Rebel XT, and unplug it.

After it is completely finished, of course.

Oct 2, 2006 3:56 PM in response to Keith Barkley

As long as you are not 'actively' transfering or writing data, the camera can be safely unplugged from the computer.

Oct 3, 2006 8:00 AM in response to Hamster Huey

Oh, and you know it is completely finished when the little light on the camera is not flashing.

In any case, do NOT delete the images as you import them. Make sure that the images were imported correctly (At least look at the thumbnails!) and then delete them from the camera or reformat the card.

Oct 3, 2006 10:29 PM in response to Keith Barkley

Okay, let me get this straight. From what everyone has said, the camera will indicate that it's finished importing the photos when the light on the camera stops blinking. I can then turn the camera off and that's how it's "ejected" from the camera. Right? So, in that case, it's not necessary to get a card reader. Right?

Okay, think I got it now, but please let me know if my assumptions are right.

As far as deleting pictures from the camera, I learned the hard way not to delete them from the camera until I've made sure that they've been imported correctly (lol)

Alan Somers Author

Level 6

9,360 points

Oct 4, 2006 6:40 AM in response to Sunny's mommy

I decided to actually try using the cable to the camera and found a way to dismount the camera in iPhoto. I can only assume that the same approach would work in Aperture (I don't own Aperture, so I couldn't say for sure). All I did was right-click (control-click) on the camera in the Source list and select "Unmount" from the contextual menu.

You also dismount the camera from Image Capture by going to Devices>Browse Devices, selecting the camera, and pressing Disconnect.

Oct 4, 2006 12:44 PM in response to Alan Somers

Well, wouldn't know if that would work since I don't actually have the camera with me. Still checking my options. But thanks for the info.

Oct 6, 2006 9:25 AM in response to Alan Somers

Back to the original question, is there anything to do but wait (and hope) that Apple updates its OS to allow importing of RAW images with the XTi? Any idea when this might happen? Also, when it does, will I need to upgrade from iPhoto 5? Thanks for any insight.

Oct 6, 2006 9:55 AM in response to Rooster14

If it wasn't in 10.4.8, we can only hope about 10.4.9.

No, it is operating system thing, so iPhoto 5 should be fine.

Oct 6, 2006 10:05 AM in response to Rooster14

Sorry to reply to my own post:
There is one big downside to having the camera support tied to the OS.

If you get a new camera, you may be forced to upgrade your operating system to support it, since I doubt that Apple will continue to supply 10.4 updates (other than security patches) once 10.5 comes out.

Only XM

Level 2

371 points

Nov 3, 2006 6:38 PM in response to Sunny's mommy

Our prayers have been answered:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/

There are downloads for the PPC and the Intel macs. I just tried it on my Dual G5 and my MacBook. I loaded 3 RAW files from my XTi and it worked like a champ. For me, the timing was right - I bought the camera yesterday!

Have fun . ..

Nov 4, 2006 8:48 AM in response to Alan Somers

I have a Canon XT, bought just before the XTi was launched. I suggest the XTi is a great beginners DSLR but if you plan to progress beyond that you may want to look at Canon's D20 or D30....in reality it isn't the camera but more the user.

Way too many people get caught up in the technology but really never learn how to use the tool itself...learn to understand what histograms can tell you, play with a couple different lenses and just enjoy yourself. Unless you are a pro you may never need or want to process RAW pics....

I bought Aperature after using iphoto and adobe. Aperature is a dream but doesn't work well on a MacBook...even fully loaded and with max memory.

My suggestion is to get the highly discounted Rebel XT, a couple of good lenses...look at all the makers not just Canon and use it....You will only get better through use....

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Canon Digital Rebel XTi RAW support?