Lightroom importing question...

[fotomumma09]

Hey guys!

Just wondering when you import files into lightroom do you copy or copy as DNG? And why? I've been copying the CR2 files but now I'm wondering if I should copy the DNG files in case I need to edit in Cs6.
Thanks in advance!

 

[ratssass]

i thought i saw a video that dng was a format that could be read by most software.I would wait for others to respond,as i'm not positive of this..

 

[Big Mike]

Good question.

The purpose of using DNG is mainly that it's an open-source format. In other words, anyone (software company etc.) can create software that will interpret DNG files...where-as CR2 files are proprietary to Canon (NEF to Nikon etc). Adobe (etc) programs can read these files...but after each camera is released and they have to update the software.
So imagine that Canon goes out of business and disappears. 10 years later, all your computers may have new operating systems that may not run old Canon software (not likely, but just imagine)....now you may have 10,000 CR2 files in your archive that you can't read. So to avoid a situation like that...some people use DNG because it's a lot more universal.

Another reason why you might use DNG, is that they are said to run a little faster in LR compared to other RAW file types. That's why I 'copy to DNG'.

 

[fotomumma09]

Good question.

The purpose of using DNG is mainly that it's an open-source format. In other words, anyone (software company etc.) can create software that will interpret DNG files...where-as CR2 files are proprietary to Canon (NEF to Nikon etc). Adobe (etc) programs can read these files...but after each camera is released and they have to update the software.
So imagine that Canon goes out of business and disappears. 10 years later, all your computers may have new operating systems that may not run old Canon software (not likely, but just imagine)....now you may have 10,000 CR2 files in your archive that you can't read. So to avoid a situation like that...some people use DNG because it's a lot more universal.

Another reason why you might use DNG, is that they are said to run a little faster in LR compared to other RAW file types. That's why I 'copy to DNG'.

Great explanation! Thanks for that!! I will copy to DNG from now on!

 

[KmH]

Mike didn't mention that when you convert from a proprietary file format like CR2 or NEF to DNG, you lose proprietary features those files have.

 

[Big Mike]

That is true. For example, if I load my Canon CR2 files into Canon software like Digital Photo Professional...it will tell me which focus point was used. With DNG files, I can't do that. :cry:

 

[fotomumma09]

I guess one just has to decide what's more important. It's a trade off.