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The processing of big volumes of RAW photography requires the use of specific tools that do not focus on precision at the cost of speed. FastRawViewer converts the culling process, which is a vital part of photography, into a practice of viewing real RAWs instead of living in a deceptive world of JPEG previews, and this fundamentally shifts the image selection process by giving professionals a more objective framework.
The digital photography of today is producing huge files. The photography of weddings usually comprises 1500-3000 pictures per wedding and wildlife and sports photography may surpass that. FastRawViewer can convert RAW images at 6-8 frames per second on current hardware, with 16-36 megapixel files, and 2500-hour files with CinemaDNG 2.5k, in 24-30 frames per second, without the usual bottlenecks.
The main innovative feature of the software is its ability to create actual RAW histograms rather than the JPEG versions embedded in them. The difference allows for precise exposure assessment using real sensor information, and not the recoverable highlight and shadow detail lost by using JPEG-based culling.
Unlike conventional viewers that read embedded JPEGs, FastRawViewer renders RAW files similarly to full processors like Adobe Camera RAW or Lightroom. This non-destructive approach maintains file integrity while providing accurate visual feedback for informed decision-making.
Recent versions were changed to support Canon PowerShot V1, EOS R50 V, Fujifilm X-M5, GFX 100RF, Nikon Z50-II, Z5-II, OM System OM-3, Sony ILCE-1M2, (A1-II). The software supports fully developed format such as DNG, CR2, CR3, NEF, RAF, ORF and many more formats of proprietary server.
Hardware acceleration through modern GPU utilization ensures responsive navigation even with massive file collections. Testing on systems with i7-7700K processors, 32GB RAM, and GTX 1080 GPUs demonstrates peak performance when paired with NVMe SSD storage.
Real-time exposure correction, white balance adjustment, and contrast curves enable immediate visual assessment without permanent file modifications. Shadow Boost and Highlight Inspection features provide instant feedback on recoverable detail in critical exposure zones.
Rating systems (1-5 stars), color labels, and customizable keyboard shortcuts streamline the selection process. Metadata written by FastRawViewer integrates seamlessly with Lightroom, preserving ratings and labels during catalog import.
The intelligent Focus Peaking function clearly identifies sharp areas within images, essential for critical focus verification during high-speed shooting sequences.
Culling before catalog insertion prevents database bloat and maintains responsive catalog performance. This approach eliminates the accumulation of rejected images that often slow Lightroom catalogs over time.
Single licenses enable simultaneous use on two computers, with compatibility across Windows and macOS platforms, supporting flexible studio and location workflows.
Grid view with customizable thumbnail sizes, combined with single-image detailed analysis, enables rapid comparative evaluation. Per-channel RGB visualization reveals sensor-level noise characteristics and color balance issues invisible in standard viewers.
