Is it better to convert color to B&W, or take B&W from the start?

Dave_W

The Dude
Either way, it's the same. Regardless of the setting you have in-camera, your sensor will take a colored image, write it to a file and then desaturate and convert to JPEG when you look at it on the LED screen (assuming you're shooting in RAW. If you're shooting in JPEG this doesn't apply). The advantage is in seeing the B&W images in real time instead of at the computer.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I much prefer taking all shots in "raw" mode and then if needed do the B&W conversion in CS5. When you use the filters in the B&W filter module, you have sliders where you can favor certain colors in your shots. For me, this is the way to keep the most control and be able to simulate B&W film AND b&w filters.
 

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Ted, i was thinking the same thing last evening :)
Thanks!
Was wondering if taking a pic in B&W mode on the cam would optimize the shot for B&W processing
 

Rick M

Senior Member
It's actually surprising how much adjusting the saturation of colors in post processing effects the B&W image. Especially blue
 
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