about bit depth

[cadams]

Pressing onward in the pursuit of knowledge.

First, I do know that 16 bit images contain more color information than 8 bit, so is it preferrable, when converting RGB to CMYK, to make the conversion from the 16 bit RGB file? Will that get you a better CMYK file, or does 8 bit do just as well?

I'm trying to learn whether I should archive my files as 16 or 8 bit Tiffs.

Also, what are the implications of switching from 16 bit to 8 bit and then back to 16 bit? Is the "new" 16 bit file the same as the originally captured 16 bit file? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks,
Chuck

[memobug]

Originally posted by cadams
Also, what are the implications of switching from 16 bit to 8 bit and then back to 16 bit? Is the "new" 16 bit file the same as the originally captured 16 bit file? If not, what are the differences?


That's a lossy conversion when you convert 16 to 8 bit. Reconverting doesn't recover it.

The only reason I would convert to CMYK is if someone asked for a file in that format for some printing needs. If you are capturing 16 bit files, that is probably what you want to archive.

Regards,

Matt

[cadams]

That's the way I suspected it worked, but I couldn't find it addressed directly in my readings. I will definitely archive the 16bit tiffs and make any and all conversions from those files on an as needed basis.

Chuck