Convert CR2 to TIFF on Mac
Select the CR2 files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose TIFF and press Return. FileFlip saves each TIFF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert CR2 to TIFF with FileFlip
Select the CR2 files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from CR2. Type “TIFF” to jump to it.
Choose TIFF and press Return
The TIFF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The CR2 files stay as they are.
CR2 and TIFF
Raw files are large and most apps and websites can’t show them, so they have to be developed into a regular image before sharing. TIFF is lossless and accepted by print shops and archives.
What changes when you convert
- A raw file is unprocessed sensor data. Converting develops it into a finished image, so keep the CR2 if you may want to edit it later.
| Property | CR2 | TIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Canon Raw 2 | Tagged Image File Format |
| Made by | Canon | Aldus, now Adobe |
| Compression | Unprocessed sensor data, lossless or lightly compressed | Usually lossless or uncompressed |
| Best for | Editing photos with the most room for adjustments | Printing, scanning and archiving |
| Opens in | Raw editors such as Lightroom, plus Photos and Preview when macOS supports the camera model | Preview, Photoshop and most image editors; most web browsers don’t display it |
| File extension | .cr2 | .tiff, .tif |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Preview
Open the CR2 in Preview, choose File → Export, pick TIFF from the Format menu and click Save. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Works when macOS supports your camera model.
Photos
If the pictures are in your Photos library, select them, choose File → Export → Export Photos and set Photo Kind to TIFF.
Good for pictures already in your library.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format tiff DSC_0001.cr2 \
--out DSC_0001.tiffBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about CR2 and TIFF
Can I convert many CR2 files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose TIFF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Will the TIFF keep the date, camera and location?
Yes, metadata is copied by default. Turn on “Remove location” in the options before you share photos publicly.
Should I keep the CR2 file?
Yes. The raw file holds more information than any finished image, so keep it if you may want to edit the photo again.
Where is the TIFF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .tiff extension. The CR2 file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert TIFF back to CR2?
No. FileFlip opens CR2 files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole shoot at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac