OpenRAW - RAW Survey 2006:

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.

Our questionnaire has been designed to measure the full range of opinions on RAW imaging issues. We trust it will allow you to express your personal views.


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.


The survey was launched on January 31, 2006 00:00:01 GMT and will remain open for 58 days, until March 31, 2006 24:00:00 GMT.

Personally, I believe that if you're a RAW using photographer, you should be looking seriously at what openRAW are doing.