HEIF = what is it and How to use in AF?

[Sharkey]

As the title suggests.

Does HEIF have advantages and can they be taken advantage of in AF?

[thomaso]

HEIF = what is it

isn't that a typical question for an internet search? Just curios: where did you read "HEIF" without getting a rough idea at least?

[NotMyFault]

• It is complex, similar to USB or HDMI with multiple versions and misleading naming.

 

HEIF is a container format, similar to TIFF. As its relatively new, support from app vendors, OS, and imaging devices like photo cameras varies.

On Windows, HEIF is support, but no fun to use. Windows Explorer has severe performance issues when accessing metadata like image size from HEIF files. 

On Mac & iPad, its supported in general, with some caveats.

As it is a container format, there are countless vendor specific standards. You need to check if the HEIF files of your Camera are fully supported in your OS and app, for both reading and writing.

Nice features from user perspective:

• better compression / smaller files (than jpeg)
• supports more than 8 bit color depth (HDR, less banding)
• supports alpha channel (e.g. Apple depth map)

Disadvantages:

• every vendor has its own subset of features (e.g. Apple uses only 8 bit color depth despite the HEIF formst supports more, Sony or Canon using different features)
• compatibility issues (e.g. older PC / OS unable to read / write HEIF files)
• performance issues (at least on Windows 10)
• Some OS configured to automatically convert to JPEG if sending files via email, removing its advantages 
   

 

[v_kyr]

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Efficiency_Image_File_Format (HEIF)

[Sharkey]

On 9/27/2022 at 6:14 PM, thomaso said:

HEIF = what is it

isn't that a typical question for an internet search? Just curios: where did you read "HEIF" without getting a rough idea at least?

Perhaps, unlike yourself; a well read, highly intelligent master of both internet and photographic nomenclature, I am simply asking a question of a group of people who might know the answer.

The words and language of todays techno-crap photography are a shield behind which un-talented, egocentric, self important humans may hide.

By all means accept this as an apology for just sayin'.

[Sharkey]

On 9/27/2022 at 9:57 PM, NotMyFault said:

• It is complex, similar to USB or HDMI with multiple versions and misleading naming.

 

HEIF is a container format, similar to TIFF. As its relatively new, support from app vendors, OS, and imaging devices like photo cameras varies.

On Windows, HEIF is support, but no fun to use. Windows Explorer has severe performance issues when accessing metadata like image size from HEIF files. 

On Mac & iPad, its supported in general, with some caveats.

As it is a container format, there are countless vendor specific standards. You need to check if the HEIF files of your Camera are fully supported in your OS and app, for both reading and writing.

Nice features from user perspective:

• better compression / smaller files (than jpeg)
• supports more than 8 bit color depth (HDR, less banding)
• supports alpha channel (e.g. Apple depth map)

Disadvantages:

• every vendor has its own subset of features (e.g. Apple uses only 8 bit color depth despite the HEIF formst supports more, Sony or Canon using different features)
• compatibility issues (e.g. older PC / OS unable to read / write HEIF files)
• performance issues (at least on Windows 10)
• Some OS configured to automatically convert to JPEG if sending files via email, removing its advantages 
   

 

Thank you for that.

It may take me a while to understand it all but I really do appreciate the effort made to answer the question.

[thomaso]

22 minutes ago, Sharkey said:

Perhaps, unlike yourself; a well read, highly intelligent master of both internet and photographic nomenclature, I am simply asking a question of a group of people who might know the answer.

As the complexity of an issue increases, the meaning of the question "What is ...?" diminishes.
"Container = what is?" … "Image = what is?" … "Intelligence = what is?" … "Love = what is?" …

Nevertheless, there ARE answers to this "simply asked" question … that is what made your question confusing.

[Sharkey]

So simply posting this information as an answer to my question was possible. Who would have thought it.

[R C-R]

19 minutes ago, Sharkey said:

So simply posting this information as an answer to my question was possible. Who would have thought it.

If you mean the info in the last post above by @thomaso, then please note that you could have seen the same thing if you had done a web search on (for example) "HEIF = what is it."

The main benefit of doing this yourself is you get results immediately, instead of having to wait for others to post replies in this forum. A secondary benefit is you get a lot of results with different levels of detail, some describing complexities & nuances that may help you better understand when, how, or why you might want to use that format for various tasks.

[NotMyFault]

1 hour ago, Sharkey said:

So simply posting this information as an answer to my question was possible. Who would have thought it.

You have done everything right, and you are welcome.