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mdaddyrabbit
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p.1 #1 · Confused .DNG

What the advantage of saving .RAW as .DNG, I downloaded the DNG converter off Adobe's website. I know I must be missing something. Could you help clear this up for me.

Apr 16, 2008 at 11:05 AM

redcrown
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p.1 #2 · Confused .DNG

The Adobe pitch is that DNG is a universal format and will live forever, saving you from the risk of your RAW format becoming unreadable by future software. Not many people buy that argument.

But I like it because it avoids the use of separate "side car" files. All ACR settings are kept within the DNG file. Images folders remain uncluttered, and you can move files about any way you want without worrrying about side cars. Of course, that only works within the Adobe product line. If you use some other RAW processor the advantage may be lost.

Apr 16, 2008 at 03:11 PM

CTYankee
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p.1 #3 · Confused .DNG

Another factor to consider....

when backing up files some utitlies will see the 'changed' date and back up all your files every time to modify them in any way. Thats a good thing. However this also means backup in GB worth of data to account for KB changes.

On the flip side other utilities may not back these up...so your edits can be lost.

A minor issue in many ways, but just something I considered that led me to stick with CR2 for now. I don't want my backups to take longer because I'm using DNG when as of right now the benefits of DNG are largely speculation.

I also use aperture so it manages the moving of files for me. I no longer drag files around in the Finder. Letting your DAM handle all that makes for a much better management system.

Apr 16, 2008 at 04:05 PM

claudermilk
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p.1 #4 · Confused .DNG

My direct, blunt, non-PC answer: None.

DNG is a good idea bogged down in technical issues. It's no more a universal standard than any other RAW format. I've found it's readable by fewer tools than the common Canon or Nikon RAW formats.

Like Yankee, in using a proper DAM, I don't care about the sidecar files at all. IMHO that's really a non-issue. Anyone serious enough to be looking hard at DNG's pros & cons ought to be looking at a DAM as well--again, IMHO.

So really for me DNG is simply another hoop to jump through that gains me nothing and add more risks and roadblocks.

Apr 16, 2008 at 05:16 PM

HerbChong
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p.1 #5 · Confused .DNG

unless the camera shoots DNG as its native format.

Herb...

Apr 16, 2008 at 05:48 PM

mdaddyrabbit
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p.1 #6 · Confused .DNG

Thanks guys. Very clear and to the point, this really explained what I was wanting to know.

Apr 16, 2008 at 09:19 PM

Jonathan H
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p.1 #7 · Confused .DNG

All cogent advice. However, the "king" of DAM and author of the DAM bible, Peter Krogh, advocates the exact opposite of everybody here.

I personally still stick with CR2... but it's hard to argue with Peter Krogh. His book is definitely worth a read.

Apr 17, 2008 at 07:33 AM

Hendrik
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p.1 #8 · Confused .DNG

At this moment there are no benefits. They say it's future proof, but when the time is there to convert to .DNG there is time enough.

Maybe when you buy a new generation camera is a good moment to convert the old RAW files to DNG? I still have all original .NEF files.

In my opinion the camera manufactures should decide to use one RAW format, not the consumer.

Edited on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Apr 17, 2008 at 12:23 PM

claudermilk
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p.1 #9 · Confused .DNG

HerbChong wrote:
unless the camera shoots DNG as its native format.

Herb...
True, but then it's simply another RAW format just like the rest.

Krogh has a lot of good ideas & information. However, just because he wrote a book doesn't mean everything he says must apply to all of us. In the case of DNG, I disagree with him.

Apr 17, 2008 at 04:44 PM

paulhodson
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p.1 #10 · Confused .DNG

If you have CS2 rather than CS3 you can use dng files to allow you to use ACR for cameras not supported by CS2.

Apr 18, 2008 at 04:36 PM

deanwh
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p.1 #11 · Confused .DNG

I think Kroghs idea in the DAM book makes a very good case for dng use - especially when it comes to cataloging and avoiding sidecar files. Until I'm a better authority on DAM i'm going with him on this.
I convert all my files to dng

May 19, 2008 at 06:07 AM

claudermilk
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p.1 #12 · Confused .DNG

I disagree. If you're using a proper DAM app, sidecar files are a non-issue. You should be doing file management within the DAM so it knows where the file is, and it should be handling the sidecars in the background for you. Nullifies that argument IMHO.

In practice, for me this is indeed the case; between a fine-tuned download utility that places files in their permanent home in the first place, and using IMatch, which moves XMP sidecars in the background, I never even see the files much less worry about them. Worst case, I grab the two side-by-side files in the directory listing--to me that's not really a big issue.

May 19, 2008 at 03:30 PM


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