Comments on: Why I Don’t Convert My Raw Images To DNG

By: jerry fictum

jerry fictum — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:15:45 +0000

I convert to dng for one reason and 1 reason only…those pesky sidecar files…I like how dng embeds that file into the dng.

By: Stanley Lessig

Stanley Lessig — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:26:39 +0000

I occasionally convert Canon R5 CR3 files to DNG because I have an old standalone version of Lightroom (6.0) I think. It never updates camera profiles so it cannot read the CR3 raw files. And, frankly, Canon’s DPP software that “is” compatible with the CR3 format, sucks! It makes almost no use of super computing power, constantly delays transitioning to different tabs, and takes FOREVER to process the files and to show the effects of each edit. It also doesn’t allow you to save file perspectives/crops.

If I crop at 14×11 or 17×11, I may want to use that for a series of photos or in a future editing session. But DPP doesn’t allow me to do that even within the same session. That’s pathetic. Were I Canon management, I would be putting a lot of effort into making DPP actually useful for its customers who spend many thousands of dollars on their hardware. Many of us “non-professionals”, who don’t make a living with photography, but who do enjoy the hobby, would like options beyond monthly subscriptions to processing software. But DPP is not it and is a huge disappointment!

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:58:18 +0000

In reply to David Terry. Do you use the option to embed the original Sony RAW file in the DNG or would that negate the benefit you describe? Considering your approach as I'm finding Sony RAW file sizes to be quite a lot.

By: EuoSiti

EuoSiti — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:39:57 +0000

Some of the arguments in this article make no sense at all.
Like: “… DNG requires a lifelong allegiance to Adobe.”)

DNG is an OPEN standard. The very idea with an open standard is to have a common subsitute for the vendor-specific proprietary formats that are only recognized, if you have the (also proprietary) plugins/drivers installed.

Vendor/product-specific RAW formats are a nightmare for digital archivists, so DNG is a most welcome replacement for cultural heritage purposes.

What feels convenient today can be a nightmare to revisit in 5-10 years.

By: Gilles

Gilles — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:21:44 +0000

As far as I know, Adobe owns only the “DNG” name, and has decided the format to be open and free, even for the industry. Remember that most of you use TIFF files without any complain, despite the fact that this format is owned by… Adobe.

I don’t agree with the quote about the industry “standard”. DNG is the standard raw file in the smartphone industry and, therefore, it is potentially the most used raw file format in the world.

The DNG format, which is not really a format but a container, is able to carry the proprietary data, even if 3rd party software can’t read it. And 3rd party software not able to read proprietary data in DNGs are also not able to read them in the proprietary (ie manufacturer’s) raw files.

And, regarding the future of proprietary raw files, don’t forget that, in the past, some manufacturer’s tried to drop their own formats, even in their own software (remember Canon and it’s first version of DPP). And remember Nikon trying to hide some settings as encrypted data (remember the “white balance” affair). Nothing can stop them to do the same in the future.

By: Ken Tannenbaum

Ken Tannenbaum — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 12:24:00 +0000

Microsoft Windows does not read / show DNG files in Windows explorer. It has no problems with my Canon CR2, Nikon NEF and Sony ARW files.

By: Clive

Clive — Mon, 30 May 2022 13:28:56 +0000

I made the mistake in 2016 of converting my old photos for the 10 years before, then stopped a few months later when I realised that I could not use some of Canon’s software, not done it since. Glad to hear you bringing the problems into the light.

By: Harvey

Harvey — Mon, 30 May 2022 02:34:00 +0000

Staying with Canon CR2 files when using an infrared camera conversion lets me use the Canon proprietary software for white balance. The infrared white balance doesn’t get along well with Lightroom or Camera Raw.

By: Chris Stone

Chris Stone — Sun, 29 May 2022 04:16:14 +0000

I shoot with Pentax, mainly with a Pentax K-3, and for over ten years Pentax has had the in camera option of writing the RAW files as either their native .PEF file format or as a DNG file when it gets written to the memory card.

I’ve always used DNG and never had a problem with it. Works well with Lightroom Classic.

And when I use Lightroom mobile, on my iPhone or iPad, the RAW files get saved as DNG files as well.

Even when I shot with a Canon 5D Mark II the files got converted to DNG in the import process so ALL my RAW files no matter what camera I used were all in DNG format within the Lightroom ecosystem

By: Scott Kelby

Scott Kelby — Sat, 28 May 2022 00:31:55 +0000

In reply to David Terry. That makes sense ( man, those file sizes are crazy!)