During the past several months, photographers have become increasingly aware of the actions of camera makers to conceal - and in some cases, to encrypt - information stored in RAW image files. These actions have raised concern about whether a trend toward more proprietary RAW image formats could lead to fewer choices of software to edit RAW files from new cameras. They have also shaken photographers' confidence that RAW files taken with older camera models will be supported in the future.
Although there are many photography forums where these topics are discussed, at present we know very little about the experiences, beliefs, and preferences of photographers concerning RAW imaging technology. To fill this gap, the non-profit advocacy group, OpenRAW, in cooperation with several communities of photographers, is conducting a worldwide survey to give photographers an opportunity to be heard. We appreciate your participation.
We hope you will answer all the survey questions - it will only require about 15 minutes of your time. We also appreciate your cooperation in following the basic guidelines of all high-quality surveys by completing the questionnaire only once to register your personal responses. No information will be collected in this survey that could be used to identify any respondent, guaranteeing the confidentiality of your responses.
Results of this survey will be placed in the public domain at the OpenRAW Web page. We believe that good decisions by the digital photography industry should take account of the preferences of the photographers who make their living or pursue their artistic vision through this medium. We will share the survey results widely in the hope that the future of the craft will benefit.
Thank you for participating.
This Survey is supported by:
Part I: Your Perspective On RAW Image Technology
1. Approximately how many images do you capture with your digital camera equipment in an average month?
2. How often do you capture digital images in RAW mode? (Check one answer only)
3. Using a 5-point scale where "1" means "Not at all important" and "5" means "Extremely important", please rate the following potential benefits of shooting in RAW mode for your own photography. (Check one answer for each statement.)
4. Using a 5-point scale where "1" means "Not a problem" and "5" means "Major problem", please rate the following potential disadvantages of shooting in RAW mode for your own photography. (Check one answer for each statement)
PART II: Your Use Of RAW Images
5. What operating system do you use on the computer(s) you use for image processing? (Check all that apply)
6. How often do you use each of the following RAW image conversion or editing software products? skip to Question 10 .
7. Which of the following RAW image conversion or editing software products do you use most often? (Check only one answer)
8. Considering only the output image quality and leaving aside speed, stability, and workflow integration, which of the following RAW image conversion or editing software products do you believe delivers the best image quality for your photography? (Check only one answer)
9. Which of the following RAW image conversion or editing software products provides you with the best workflow for your photography? (Check only one answer)
10. Using a 5-point scale where "1" means "Agree completely" and "5" means "Disagree completely", please indicate your reactions to the following statements. (Check one answer for each statement)
Part III: Hypothetical Future Camera Purchase Decision
We are interested in your preferences about what camera manufacturers should offer in next generations of professional grade cameras.
Imagine that it is now the year 2008 and you are preparing to make a sizeable investment in the latest digital imaging technology. Three major manufacturers have exceptional new products, including camera bodies, lenses, and flash units. System prices have become very competitive, so price is no longer a deciding factor. The technology for matching sensors to lens performance has advanced so much that whichever brand you buy, you will need a new set of lenses to match the new body - whether or not you stay with your current brand or switch to another.
After doing extensive research on the specifications provided by manufacturers, reviewing reports by independent testing labs, and consulting other resources you trust, you have determined that you have the following choices:
Brand Technical Features RAW Technology
A
Form factor:
35mm SLR form
Sensor size:
24x36mm
Image size:
20MP
Color depth:
16-bit
Focal length multiplier:
Variable 1.0-3.0
Frame rate:
Variable up to 10 fps
Sensitivity:
Noiseless ISO 50-3200
New lenses available:
10
Image Quality Index:
93*
- Completely proprietary RAW file format.
B
Form factor:
35mm SLR form
Sensor size:
20x32mm
Image size:
28MP
Color depth:
16-bit
Focal length multiplier:
Variable 1.2-3.0
Frame rate:
Variable up to 12 fps
Sensitivity:
Noiseless ISO 50-6400
New lenses available:
16
Image quality index:
90*
- Open RAW file format.
C
Form factor:
645 SLR form
Sensor size:
80mm square
Image size:
88MP
Color depth:
20-bit
Focal length multiplier:
NA
Frame rate:
Variable up to 5 fps
Sensitivity:
Noiseless ISO 50-1600
New lenses available:
7
Image Quality Index:
100*
- Partially proprietary RAW file format.
* Image Quality Index is a fictional new independent rating that evaluates 10 dimensions of image quality resulting in a composite score on a 100-point scale.
11. You have decided to buy one of these three camera systems. Using a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 means "Not at all important" and 10 means "Extremely important", please rate the following ten factors in terms of their importance in making your purchase decision. (Check one answer for each factor)
12. Considering all ten factors, which camera system would you be most likely to purchase? (Check one answer only)
13. Considering all ten factors, which of these factors do you consider the most important reason for your choice of Brand [fill in from Question 12]? (Check one answer only)
14. Considering all factors, which one is the most important reason for your decision NOT to purchase either Brand [fill in from Question 12] or Brand [fill in from Question 12]? (Check one answer for each Brand)
15. Using a 5-point scale where "1" means "Agree completely" and "5" means "Disagree completely", please indicate your reactions to the following statements. (Check one answer for each statement)
Part IV: About You And Your Photography
16. Which of the following best describes your involvement with photography now? (Check one answer only)
17. Approximately how many years have you been engaged in photography (film and digital)?
18. Approximately how many years have you been using professional-level digital cameras?
19. Approximately how many years have you been shooting primarily RAW images?
20. What types of subject matter do you shoot? (Check all that apply)
21. What types of subject matter do you shoot most often? (Check one answer only)
22. How would you characterize your level of expertise with computers? (Check one answer only)
23. What brand(s) of professional digital cameras do you currently own and use? (Check all that apply)
24. Which one of these brands of professional cameras do you use most often? (Check one answer only)
25. Please indicate the area where you do most of your photography. (Check one answer only)
NOTE: This Survey is not functional anymore and only archived for historical reasons.
