FastRawViewer 1.3 Release Candidate is available now!
Grid Mode View, Select/Deselect and Multiple Files Operations, Screen Sharpening, Highlight Inspection and more
The Only Real Raw Viewer
The Essential Workflow Tool for Every RAW Shooter
FastRawViewer is the only WYSIWYG RAW viewer that allows to see RAW exactly as a converter will "see" it, and provides RAW-based tools to estimate what a converter will be able to squeeze from the shot.
FastRawViewer is a must have; it's all you need for extremely fast and reliable culling, direct presentation, as well as for speeding up of the conversion stage of any amounts of any RAW images of every format.
Download FastRawViewer
(fully functional 30-day trial)
Supported Cameras
(the list is regularly updated)
FastRawViewer currently supports:
- 870 digital cameras and cell phones;
- almost every single RAW format*
To Choose Correctly You Need to See a Correct Preview
A JPEG's preview and a JPEG histogram can be very deceptive.
Look below; there are two previews of the same shot – one is an embedded JPEG with a JPEG histogram (left) and the other is from the RAW data with a RAW histogram (right).
Will you choose to keep this shot, looking only at the left picture?
For the first time ever, there is a Fast Raw Viewer that will enable you to evaluate exposure
based on RAW data and not on the brightness of some uncontrolled render or embedded JPEG.
Why Bother Shooting RAW
if Culling JPEGs?
What is the possibility of making a mistake when culling RAW shots based on the JPEG previews?
Shooting RAW, and evaluating it based on a JPEG preview is akin to making a definite conclusion about the exact shape of an object based on its shadow on a wall.
Dispelling a Myth:
Viewing RAW is Impossible
This is often used as an explanation as to why it is “only natural” that most image viewers display some render or embedded JPEGs instead of RAW, JPEG-based histogram instead of RAW histogram, and over- and underexposure indicators derived from JPEG previews.
Is it Worth it to Cull
with a RAW Converter?
Using a RAW converter as a culling tool is an extremely time consuming endeavor, not to mention other serious inconveniences, such as uncontrolled collection growth which slow down the overall process and creates constant optimization and maintenance requirements.
Suggested RAW-based Workflow
Key Benefits and Features of FastRawViewer
Ingests and Displays RAW
FastRawViewer is the only viewer to work directly with RAW
and not just with an embedded JPEG or an uncontrolled RAW conversion.
Nevertheless, if you want to look at the embedded JPEG or if you are shooting "RAW + JPEG",
with one click you can see these internal and external JPEGs together with the JPEG histograms.
Display of a RAW Shot
as the Camera Captured It
Ingests and displays files of almost every single existing RAW format, including native out-of-camera DNG and files converted to DNG.
Display of an Embedded JPEG
(Internal Thumbnail)
Supports the display of embedded (internal) JPEG, that is, thumbnails which are built into RAW, and also displays the histogram for JPEGs.
Display of an External JPEG
(from the Pair RAW + JPEG)
Supports the display of external JPEG from the pair RAW + JPEG; the convenience of working with the shots taken in the RAW + JPEG mode.
Very Comfortable Speed of Browsing through any Amounts of RAW Shots
Works with any file system, access any media from flash card to network server,
with no intermediate catalogues created and no disk space wasted
• 6-8 frames per second
on a modern notebook or desktop computer for files from modern digital cameras 16-36 Mpix
• 24-30 frames per second for CinemaDNG 2.5k
on a modern notebook or desktop computer (we used Blackmagic Pocket Cinema files for testing)
Culling with Confidence. Extremely Fast
Unique features for the rapid and reliable technical evaluation of RAW shots
(in composite and per channel view)
Detect the Over/Underexposed
Areas from RAW Data
OE- and UE Indication and Statistics allow for the immediate review of clipped highlights and plugged shadows based directly on RAW data.
Dynamic Range Evaluation
with a Real RAW Histogram
The real RAW Histogram allows one to evaluate whether the dynamic range of the scene on the shot fits within the camera's dynamic range.
Check In-Focus Areas
and Noise in Shadows
Focus Peaking highlights in-focus areas (Edges), and highly detailed areas or areas with high noise level or false details (Details).
Speed Up Image Processing in Adobe Lr/ACR
FastRawViewer allows one to apply adjustments, and records them as XMPs,
providing Adobe converters with a better starting point
Adjust "Exposure":
Overall Image Brightness
Exposure Correction allows one to adjust the overall image brightness; adjustments are recorded in XMP files, so Adobe Lr/ACR will go from there.
Adjust "White Balance":
Overall Image Color
White Balance allows one to adjust the overall image color; adjustments are recorded in XMP files, so there is no need to repeat them in Adobe Lr/ACR.
Don't Waste Time
Adjusting Similar Shots
For a series of similar shots (sports, panorama, etc.), FRV allows one to propagate adjustments made for the first shot to all shots in series.
Immediate Presentation of RAW Shots
Additional features for on-the-fly visual improvement of RAW images
Are Shadows Too Deep?
Boost Them!
Shadow Boost allows one to lift shadows and bring out details, or evaluate noise level in shadows. Useful for image presentation and evaluation.
Want to Spice Up the Scene?
Try Contrast!
A variety of Contrast (Tone) Curves allows contrast control, increasing and decreasing it as necessary for image presentation and evaluation.
Want it in Black and White?
Not a Problem!
Black and White Preview gives one an idea as to how the image will look in black and white. Per-channel view is also available in this mode.
Convenient File Management System
Place any RAW file wherever you want it to be. Fast and easy
Rate and Label "Keepers"
Add Titles and Descriptions
Ratings and Labels, as well as Titles and Descriptions, are recorded in XMP files and are acknowledged by RAW converters that support them.
Move or Copy?
Both are Possible
Move or Copy allows one to send RAW files that are going to be kept to archives and/or to folders intended for future RAW processing.
To Keep or To Delete?
Check Rejected Shots Later
Shots moved to a Rejected subfolder can be restored to the main folder for additional evaluation, or deleted if you are sure that you don't need them.
Convenient File Processing Sequence
A simple and efficient way of finding folders to be opened,
and running external programs for the further processing of keepers
It is Easy to Access Files
Just Use a Folder Tree
Folders and files can be accessed using a folder tree in the Folder Panel. Mounted removable media can be ejected directly through this tree.
Ready to Convert?
It's Just a Click Away
Set your preferred converters in the Preferences, and assign keyboard shortcuts to open the current shot in the corresponding converter.
Want to Dig Deeper?
RawDigger is Here
RawDigger is a tool to visualize and examine pure raw data as the camera has recorded it, like a microscope that lets you look down into raw data.
Fully Customizable Working Environment
Tune FastRawViewer to fit your habits, needs, and preferences
What Shot Information
Do You Want to See?
Customizable EXIF Data Display allows one to include and exclude fields and see as much or as little EXIF info for each shot as you want.
Used to Different Shortcuts?
Need to Change Settings?
Check Keyboard Shortcuts Editor and Preferences to set familiar shortcuts for actions and to choose proper preference settings.
Different Monitors?
Tune Image Display
FastRawViewer Color Management System allows one to match image display and color workflow to the monitor one is currently using.
Want a Filmstrip or a Light-Table?
Main Window or Other Monitor?
The adjustable filmstrip can be placed anywhere on the screen or other monitor, as well as docked at the top, bottom, or left side of the program window; outside the program window, it can be transformed into a light-table.
Want the Image Area Bigger?
Move Panels Outside or Close Them
All panels can be moved from the right-side bar into any part of the program window, outside of it, or even onto another monitor. You can also manipulate their size and opacity. The Tab key toggles all of them open and close.
Color Scheme is too Light?
Make it Darker
The background or panel color scheme can be changed to any shade of grey, from black to white. The bottom bar or panel's font size also can be changed.
Browse Panels' Settings
to Pick Proper Options
A little gear icon at the top right corner of a panel (or the top left corner of the filmstrip placed at the bottom) allows customization of the panel or bar.
What Experts Say about FastRawViewer...
Thom Hogan, byThomDSLRBodies, USA
Lloyd Chambers, diglloyd, USA
Mike Tomkins, Imaging Resource, USA
Gannon Burgett, Imaging Resource, USA
Nasim Mansurov, Photographylife, USA
Mihaela Citea, Softpedia, USA
Review, SnapFiles, USA
Ross Chevalier, The Photo Video Guy, Canada
Michal Krause, PALADIX foto-on-line, Czech Republic
Pierre Caillault, Focus Numerique, France
Laurent Katz, Le Monde de la Photo, France
Matt Grayson, Photography Blog, UK
Mike Williams, MacWorld, UK
Ichikawa Yukichi, Window Forest, Japan
The license allows you to use the software on two (2) computers simultaneously.
The same License Key is valid for both Windows and OS X platforms.
* For Sigma Foveon cameras, raw viewing is not supported