Digital B&W

[Mr.Grumpy]

What is are the benefits/drawbacks to shooting in B&W mode on the camera as opposed to taking a color image and adjusting it with software on the computer?

 

[ronlane]

If you shoot b&w in camera, do you loose the ability of having the color and the b&w? I'm not sure how that works, as I haven't tried it. If this is the case, I think that is a huge drawback.

 

[tirediron]

There are no benefits; the camera always takes a colour image and then converts the .jpg file to monochrome. Unless you're shooting RAW+JPG, you will lose the colour version. Additioanlly, IMO, most cameras to a poor job of conversion. There are some excellent coversion applications out there, including NiK's Silver Effex, which I would recommned as MUCH better choices.

 

[The_Traveler]

All drawbacks, no obvious benefits for in-camera B&W.

Benefits for conversion with software are that you have complete control over conversion.
You decide what the image should look like, not some engineer who hasn't seen the picture.

 

[Mr.Grumpy]

My particular camera offers colored filters (software of course) to further simulate the B&W film experience. Building a foundation, no?

Otherwise I tend to agree that out of the camera adjustment is better. I'm no expert though.