Is this a real RAW converter?

Not in the sense Lightroom is. It reads the full-resolution JPEG the camera embedded in the RAW file rather than demosaicing the sensor data, so you are grading the camera's rendering at full size. For a film look, a social post or a quick edit away from your desk that is exactly the input you want; for recovering three stops of blown highlights it is not.

Which RAW formats are supported?

CR2 and CR3 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), ARW, SR2 and SRF (Sony), RAF (Fujifilm), DNG, RW2 (Panasonic), ORF (Olympus) and PEF (Pentax).

Do I have to upload my RAW files?

No, and that is the practical advantage - a folder of 30MB RAW files would take a long time to upload. The file is read directly on your device and the editing happens there, so it opens immediately.

Can I do this on a phone or tablet?

Yes. It is a web page, so a RAW file on an iPad or an Android device opens the same way it does on a computer.

Opening RAW files, the manual adjustments, grain, fade, vignette and export are free. The full recipe library and the advanced tools - tone curve, colour mixer, split toning - are Pro.

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How to edit RAW photos online

RAW files usually mean desktop software and a subscription. Film Lab opens them in a browser tab instead: drop in a CR2 or an ARW and grade it like any other photo, on whatever device you have. It is worth knowing exactly what it reads out of the file, so here is how it works and what it does not do.

1. Open Film Lab and drop in a RAW file CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, DNG, RW2, ORF and several more are recognised. The file is read on your device - nothing is uploaded, which matters more than usual here because RAW files are large.
2. Know what you are editing Every consumer RAW file has the camera's own full-resolution processed image embedded in it. Film Lab pulls out the largest one and grades that. You get the full-size picture your camera made, not a sensor demosaic - so there is no highlight recovery beyond what the camera kept.
3. Set the tone Work through exposure, contrast, warmth and the highlight and shadow controls to get the base right before you put a look on it. This is the same panel a JPG gets - a RAW file is not treated as a special case once it is open.
4. Add a look and grain Apply a film recipe for a complete grade, or build it yourself with the sliders. Grain, fade and vignette are free and are what turn a clean digital file into something that reads as film.
5. Export a JPG Download the result at full resolution. Your RAW original is untouched on disk.

Open Film Lab · Read the full guide

Is this a real RAW converter?: Not in the sense Lightroom is. It reads the full-resolution JPEG the camera embedded in the RAW file rather than demosaicing the sensor data, so you are grading the camera's rendering at full size. For a film look, a social post or a quick edit away from your desk that is exactly the input you want; for recovering three stops of blown highlights it is not.
Which RAW formats are supported?: CR2 and CR3 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), ARW, SR2 and SRF (Sony), RAF (Fujifilm), DNG, RW2 (Panasonic), ORF (Olympus) and PEF (Pentax).
Do I have to upload my RAW files?: No, and that is the practical advantage - a folder of 30MB RAW files would take a long time to upload. The file is read directly on your device and the editing happens there, so it opens immediately.
Can I do this on a phone or tablet?: Yes. It is a web page, so a RAW file on an iPad or an Android device opens the same way it does on a computer.
Is it free?: Opening RAW files, the manual adjustments, grain, fade, vignette and export are free. The full recipe library and the advanced tools - tone curve, colour mixer, split toning - are Pro.