RAW vs. DNG for New Camera Files in Old Version of Lighroom

I just bought an EOS M as an everyday camera (mostly after viewing the related threads on this forum!). However, I transferred the RAW images to my computer yesterday, and they will not import into Lightroom 4, because it does not recognize the type of file. I did some research online, and it looks like I can continue using my version of Lightroom if I get a free DNG converter and convert my .CR2 files to DNG ones. I'm nervous about this, because I don't know how it works, so I was hoping maybe someone with experience can tell me:

1. If I convert my RAW files to DNG, will I be able to use all of the editing tools in Lightroom on the DNGs just like I normally do with a RAW file?

2. When I convert RAW files to DNG, will the DNG files replace the original RAWs, or will I be left with a set of RAW files + a set of DNG files?

3. If I'm left with a set of RAW files + a set of DNG files, should I be saving both sets for long term? Right now, saving RAW and then a jpeg conversion already takes a lot of space, but I don't want to delete RAW files if the DNG is different than the original RAWs in any way, since I like to keep the original files in case I decide to re-edit or something later.

Any advice is appreciated! I'd like to get this straight before I get too far in, because I'm already taking more photos with this camera than I generally take with my DSLRs, since I can take it everywhere with me!

I use Downloader Pro to rename the CR2 on import and them made a DNG version. All subsequent work is done on the DNG but I can always get back to the CR2.

All that being said I have been following this practice for years and the times I have only gone back to the CR2 once or twice.

I'm looking forward to a new camera and thinking it may be time to revisit this practice and just rename the CR2 on import and stick with a single version.

For your purposes, if you ever want to view/edit with Canon's software you would need the CR2 version of the file.

Thank-you for the information. I do have DPP on my computer, which I was able to use to view the RAW files, but it certainly doesn't have all the options I use in Lightroom. If some people convert to DNG even if they don't need to, it must be a stable file format.

Why not just upgrade to LR5? I had to upgrade from LR2 to LR4 to access raw files when I upgraded to the 5D3. I personally prefer to keep my CR2 files and not convert to DNG. I briefly used DNG, then discovered some 3rd party utility I wanted to use recognized CR2 but DNG.

I would prefer to keep using RAW files, but I would also prefer to not have to upgrade software if I don't need to do so. I'm happy with the editing options in Lightroom 4 (the only version I've had), and I already have it, so I don't want to have to subscribe to the new cloud version if I don't have to. My DSLR is a 40d, so it's old enough that the files are recognized, so this is the first time I've had to deal with this issue.

I have been using DNG for years and they are no different from CR2s in regard to the image data and the editing that can be done in LR. I also keep the CR2s on a separate drive as my backups, but I prefer to work on the DNGs for two reasons, LR works faster with them and if I choose to save the edits to an xmp (for use in Photoshop) it is internal rather than an external sidecar file that would be written for a CR2.

You can upgrade to LR 5 without having to subscribe to the cloud version, it is still sold with a perpetual license. LR 5 has two features that I use extensively, the brushable Heal/Clone and the Radial Filter. However, at this point, with LR 6 due soon, it would probably be better to wait.

i actually just came to ask the same question...i downloaded the adobe DNG converter, and ran a quick test to see if it would work with my old Adobe Camera Raw for CS4...worked great, so now i can edit my 70D raws there...i also tried the DPP settings, and it's not very good...downloaded lightroom 5 trial, and didn't like it even though i felt that i could do most of the same things in ACR

looks like there's no reason that i would need to hold on to the CR2 files, which is what i was wondering most.

tzalman wrote in post #17229751
...xmp (for use in Photoshop) it is internal rather than an external sidecar file that would be written for a CR2.

Oh, yes, the sidecar files. I'd forgotten. I don't want to have to deal with two files for each image. I'll stick with my existing workflow.

DNG is the same RAW information packaged slightly differently, nothing to worry about. Keep your original RAW files, but you don't lose anything working with DNG.

Sidecar files aren't a problem, they sit in a directory and mind their own business. They're an excellent backup and are much more efficient than rewriting a DNG file. Also more efficient for backups. If you're OCD maybe it's a problem, otherwise they're an advantage.

Yep, OCD.

Tom_D wrote in post #17229990
Yep, OCD.

Heh! This can be a challenge!!!!

Thank-you for all of this information. It looks like I will be downloading the DNG converter and continuing to use my current software for now!