Verify bit depth?

[480sparky37 36]

Is there any way to verify the true bit depth of an image? Especially independent of the filename extension?

 

[SCraig]

Most graphic editors should be able to display the bit depth. Either as part of the detailed image information or when you attempt to change the color depth.

 

[480sparky37 36]

Most graphic editors should be able to display the bit depth. Either as part of the detailed image information or when you attempt to change the color depth.

The bit depth is a changeable parameter? So it displays "14" and you can overwrite it to, say, "10" or "8"? In all my years, I've never seen one that did. Or at least, never noticed that any did.

 

[D7K]

Well, this led me to another google research and I realised I only ever have been loading RAW in to PS @ 8bit.. Given my level and ability I probably have no need to load 16Bit, but, I'll give it a whirl... Given I don't prin

8 Bit Color vs 16 Bit Color - Working With 16 bit Images In Photoshop

 

[480sparky37 36]

Well, this led me to another google research and I realised I only ever have been loading RAW in to PS @ 8bit.. Given my level and ability I probably have no need to load 16Bit, but, I'll give it a whirl... Given I don't prin

8 Bit Color vs 16 Bit Color - Working With 16 bit Images In Photoshop

I know what the differences are. What I want to know is how to verify a given image file's bit depth.

 

[SCraig]

The bit depth is a changeable parameter? So it displays "14" and you can overwrite it to, say, "10" or "8"? In all my years, I've never seen one that did. Or at least, never noticed that any did.

Yes, it is. When you change color from, say, true-color to 256 color all you're really doing is changing the bit depth.

 

[480sparky37 36]

The bit depth is a changeable parameter? So it displays "14" and you can overwrite it to, say, "10" or "8"? In all my years, I've never seen one that did. Or at least, never noticed that any did.

Yes, it is. When you change color from, say, true-color to 256 color all you're really doing is changing the bit depth.

I guess I've never used any of the 'most' editors then.

 

[photoguy99]

There are at least two questions in here:

Is the underlying file 14 bit?
Does the photo actually use 14 bits of range?

I don't know how to answer the first one. The second one can probably be answered with suitable layers. Isn't there a way to do straight up arithmetic layers with some editors? Using a divide by two layer repeatedly will tell you how many bits are actually used by the photo.