Converting Black and White file to Color

TPMartin · 06-05-2016, 09:59 AM

I mistakenly took a batch of pictures with my K-5 in a preset Black and White mode. My question is does the camera also record a color file as well and how does one recover this file? Any help would be much appreciated.

**mattt** · 06-05-2016, 10:42 AM

In RAW or RAW+ only.

If you're shooting JPG you're out of luck.

Na Horuk · 06-05-2016, 02:10 PM

Yep. Jpeg files are compressed and developed - you cannot get colour out of a black and white jpeg. If you shoot raw (.DNG or .PEF), then you might be able to get colours back by using a raw converter like Silky Pix, Lightroom, Photoshop (or the free FastStone, RawTherapee, Darktable)
Of course, shooting raw has its disadvantages - files are huge, unprocessed, and most users will not be able to view them. You need to use photography software like the ones mentioned earlier to develop the raw data and export it into jpegs. If you have in-camera selected to Jpeg only, then the camera does this part for you. But you forgo the convenience of being able to "revert" to initial, colourful, raw data

disconnekt · 06-05-2016, 11:57 PM

If you shoot in RAW, it will still show up as color in any editing program you use (Lightroom for example).
If you shoot in jpeg, it'll be B&W & you can't convert it to color.

06-05-2016, 09:59 AM	#1
TPMartin New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 1	Converting Black and White file to Color I mistakenly took a batch of pictures with my K-5 in a preset Black and White mode. My question is does the camera also record a color file as well and how does one recover this file? Any help would be much appreciated.

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06-05-2016, 10:42 AM	#2
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	In RAW or RAW+ only. If you're shooting JPG you're out of luck.

06-05-2016, 02:10 PM	#3
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Yep. Jpeg files are compressed and developed - you cannot get colour out of a black and white jpeg. If you shoot raw (.DNG or .PEF), then you might be able to get colours back by using a raw converter like Silky Pix, Lightroom, Photoshop (or the free FastStone, RawTherapee, Darktable) Of course, shooting raw has its disadvantages - files are huge, unprocessed, and most users will not be able to view them. You need to use photography software like the ones mentioned earlier to develop the raw data and export it into jpegs. If you have in-camera selected to Jpeg only, then the camera does this part for you. But you forgo the convenience of being able to "revert" to initial, colourful, raw data

06-05-2016, 11:57 PM	#4
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	If you shoot in RAW, it will still show up as color in any editing program you use (Lightroom for example). If you shoot in jpeg, it'll be B&W & you can't convert it to color.