Convert MOS to TIFF

The MOS format is a proprietary raw image container created by Leaf Imaging (now Phase One) for use with their Credo and Aptus series digital backs. It captures unprocessed data directly from the CCD or CMOS sensor, storing it in a TIFF-based structure that retains high dynamic range and original color depth (16-bit). The file acts as a digital negative, preserving all metadata including white balance, exposure settings, and sensor calibration data, necessitating demosaicing algorithms during post-processing to render a viewable image.

MOS files require specialized raw processing software due to their proprietary encoding. Phase One Capture One is the primary software for full support, given the manufacturer lineage. Adobe products (Photoshop, Lightroom) support MOS via the Adobe Camera Raw plugin. For free alternatives, users can utilize RawTherapee or Darktable, which include the necessary decoding libraries (LibRaw) to interpret the sensor data on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is a container format for storing raster graphics images, originally created by Aldus Corporation in 1986 and currently controlled by Adobe Systems. Ideally suited for photography and desktop publishing, TIFF supports multiple color spaces (CMYK, RGB, Lab), various compression schemes (lossless LZW, Deflate, or lossy JPEG), and data tags that define image geometry. It conforms to the TIFF 6.0 specification and can accommodate multi-page documents and extensive metadata standards like Exif, IPTC, and XMP within its header structure.

Due to its status as a standard industry format for high-quality imaging, TIFF files possess robust native support across major operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Photos and macOS Preview. For advanced editing and layer manipulation, professional raster graphics editors such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and CorelDRAW are required. Specialized viewing software like IrfanView or XnView can also render multi-page TIFFs that standard system viewers may display incorrectly.