Keep Raw files after converting to Dng?

Having just got a camera that my aged photoshop doesn't recognize the raw files of, I have been converting the files to dng and editing from there.
Is there any valid reason to keep the raw files afterwards?

I don't do photography professionally, but know I'm always learning and my photo editing is a lot better than a few years back, so it's great to apply new techniques to old shots and see improvements. Just wondering if there is anything in the raw files that would potentially be more useful in future than the dng files...

DNG files are Raw files. The data section of the original is copied exactly and encased in a new standardized metadata shell and it is this shell that makes it possible to open the file in Adobe converters that lack support for the original. The business end of file, the image data, is unchanged. So any future improvements in Raw processing by LR/CR will apply equally to DNGs.

I think there are two reasons for saving the originals: First, and most importantly, to serve as backups squirreled away somewhere safe and second, if you want to use a converter that doesn't do DNGs, like DPP.

That is a lot of extra file storage but I'd be uncomfortable deleting the CR2 files. The good thing is storage is so in expensive these days.

I would look into getting another raw processor.

I had the same issue when I bought my 6D and was converting to DNG. At one point I converted a file that Ps could open and crompared the results. There were definite differences in the conversion.

Anyway, I ended up with Capture One and am very happy with it as it handles the vast majority of what I need and I can go to Ps with a tiff from there. There are free options out there too. Affinity Photo is a low cost option that is making some noise in the space.

tzalman wrote in post #18684633
DNG files are Raw files. The data section of the original is copied exactly and encased in a new standardized metadata shell and it is this shell that makes it possible to open the file in Adobe converters that lack support for the original. The business end of file, the image data, is unchanged. So any future improvements in Raw processing by LR/CR will apply equally to DNGs.

I think there are two reasons for saving the originals: First, and most importantly, to serve as backups squirreled away somewhere safe and second, if you want to use a converter that doesn't do DNGs, like DPP.

My understanding is, that the DNG conversion will not contain the original raw file information but already an Adobe interpretation of the sensor information and also stripping away a whole bunch of camera specific information (focus point, etc). You can opt-in to include the original raw file additionally, by increasing the file size. This is the reason, why I personally did not go the DNG conversion route as I can not see the benefit of spending time, space and energy to degrade my raw file information.

https://theblog.adobe.​com/dng-pros-cons-and-myths/

I don't have issues opening my older 5Dc files in my Adobe CC programs. Maybe some of the oldest digital cameras that had esoteric RAW formats will have dodgy support with . So the only converted DNGs I've generated are photomerged RAWs (where I think they are good to keep so I can keep the exposure latitude).

You're coming from the other direction of having a new camera with old Adobe Software. Well one other perspective is that hard drive prices are always dropping: you can store the RAW in case you do upgrade software (or change to another brand software), and DNG for your current Adobe edits.

Thanks for all the replies - I think I'll keep the raw files....

I do have a backup scheme where I end up with 3 copies of everything so no worries there, but I didn't realise that Canon DPP can't open the dng files
(and often if a shot is mis-focused I'll open it in DPP to see where I went wrong)

cheers.

Yes keep the originals. The DNG's have the full set of RAW data in them, but the DDNG version you have to use can be limiting later if you get newer software. Also as some have siad some programs you might want to use don't support DNG. What is more a lot more programs that do support DNG, other than Adobe's, only support out of camera native DNG files. They do not support converted DNGs. For example I think that DXO might have just started supporting converted DNGs in the latest release. They are not supported in my Pro11. So I can't use my Magic Lantern DualISO images in that program because the pre-processor converts to DNG.

I know that Adobe touted DNG as a universal format that can be supported by all software, but that hasn't really worked out. In fact the only software that has come out that doesn't support the old CRW format of my old 300D is Canon's own DPP4, which also doesn't support the CR2's from my 20D either. So for full Canon support I need to have both DPP3 and 4 installed. Everything else supports all Canon RAW files, at least up to the date of the software release.

Alan

joeseph wrote in post #18684940
Thanks for all the replies - I think I'll keep the raw files....

I do have a backup scheme where I end up with 3 copies of everything so no worries there, but I didn't realise that Canon DPP can't open the dng files
(and often if a shot is mis-focused I'll open it in DPP to see where I went wrong)

cheers.

I always cull my shots using DPP before importating into LR.

Leica M raw files are DNGs.

Perhaps you are not aware, but 1 1/2 years ago, Canon went back and added support to DPP4 for the older bodies. There is really no reason to keep using the DPP3 and prior versions for most everyone. Also with the pending CR3 format that Canon is producing for raw files, DPP4 will then be updated for that format as well.

https://cpn.canon-europe.com …sional_software​_update.do

That update sure was helpful.

Still no 10D/300D/Digital Rebel/Kiss or the D30/D60 all with CRW files. The thing is that I shot with a 300D for some seven years, from 2005 to 2012. OK I wasn't shooting nearly as much as now back then, but it's still about a 1000 RAWs a year in my catalogue. It's obviously time to do another DPP 4 update, I don't really use it much, It's just good to have the Canon software option available.

Alan

BigAl007 wrote in post #18685605
Still no 10D/300D/Digital Rebel/Kiss or the D30/D60 all with CRW files. The thing is that I shot with a 300D for some seven years, from 2005 to 2012. OK I wasn't shooting nearly as much as now back then, but it's still about a 1000 RAWs a year in my catalogue. It's obviously time to do another DPP 4 update, I don't really use it much, It's just good to have the Canon software option available.

Alan

you might be in luck - I've just updated DPP from 4.7 to the current 4.8.30.0 and it happily opens the D60 files I shot in 2004...