When to switch mode: 16 bit to 8

[neal_martin]

When converting edited CR2 images for web use, I switch mode to 8 bit

after completing editing/processing, and then save as jpeg. That

suits my workflow. Is there any reason to switch to 8 bit before

making those edits?

 

Thanks

[wakeforce]

Switching to 8bit before doing the edits will take less RAM in you cpu, thus making the adjustements a bit faster. You will lose quite a bit of data to play with while doing curves and levels adjustements tough, so I think you should stay in 16bit (truely 12bit) for every adjustements.

[steve_dunn2]

<p>Like the previous poster said - if you have enough computer power (the extra bits require more RAM and more CPU speed), stick with 16 bits through as much of the process as you can. Convert to 8 bits as late in the process as you can.</p>

[jbq]

For web use, there shouldn't be any serious worry about even shooting JPEG. Heck, I shoot JPEG with my 10D, switch to 16-bit as I import into photoshop (and do everything in 16-bit except my final output which is quality 10 JPEG) and I'm very happy with the results.