RAW vs DNG

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how many here convert and store their image archives in DNG format. I mean, I understand that Adobe is trying to establish a standard for the future, but with Photoshop being able to convert just about any RAW file on the planet (I exaggerate for effect ), and the camera manufacturer's own software doing a good job.... and.... Adobe might not be here in the future, either, so.... how many of you are actually taking the time and trouble to convert and store your images in DNG format?

If so, why? If not, why not? I'm trying to decide on whether I want to do this myself, but would like to hear your reasoning, to help me make up my mind.

I'm still converting from the RAW file to either PSD or TIFF. Adobe has come a long way in trying to get DNG as a global standard but it still isn't. There are some significant camera manufacturers that have not embraced this file format and until they do it is far from global. My reasoning for not going to DNG is that as long as Canon is in business I will be able to convert my RAW files using DPP. I highly doubt that Canon is about to go anywhere anytime soon.

Disk space is not an issue for me as I 3TB of storage space. Most of the photographers that I know that have gone to DNG backup that and their CR2 files. This is a significant use of disk space.

DNG may very well become that global file format that is accepted by all (look at PDF). Right now I think that Adobe still has some work to do to get it to that point.

I'm starting to wonder if a DNG backup of CR2 files might be the way to go. Save some space, and hedge your bets! In case either brand looks like going out of business, it shouldn't be too hard to convert them to something appropriate at that time...

I'll start using DNG the minute DPP supports it...

I convert all my pictures to DNG when I import them into LR just so I don't need to worry an external xmp file that might get lost if I move my files around...

In this digital world, wide-spread file formats seldom gets lost. It is only the proprietary formats that are either not documented, or released by small companies, that will die and take the users data with them.

Look at other image or sound formats. There are public-domain applications that may convert from a huge number of formats that most people have never even heard about. With the amount of time and money people have put into their RAW images, you can be sure that there will always be converters available - whatever direction our operating systems or computer architectures will take.

It is more important to make sure that the images are stored on a media that you have access to. People storing backups on tapes will probably find that when their tape station dies, all new tape stations have changed to use different band formats. Or they may find that when they get their new computer, the new OS doesn't have any drivers for the tape station - or possibly the controller card.

jnev wrote in post #3573536
I convert all my pictures to DNG when I import them into LR just so I don't need to worry an external xmp file that might get lost if I move my files around...

Same with me - I back-up the original .cr2 files as well though.

jnev wrote in post #3573536
I convert all my pictures to DNG when I import them into LR just so I don't need to worry an external xmp file that might get lost if I move my files around...

yup

kevin_c wrote in post #3573664
Same with me - I back-up the original .cr2 files as well though.

and yup.

I don't see the issue with sidecar files: i'm clever enough to be able to copy two files instead of one... plus I don't move RAW files around. I have a set directory structure and workflow that eliminates the need for moving RAW files. What's with all this moving files you guys must be doing? The only time RAW files are copied is when they're dumped to my backup drive, that system just sucks all the data off, not just selected files.

I convert everything to DNG on import and then backup the original CR2s just in case. When I have enough CR2s to fill a DVD I then burn them off to there and elminate them from my networked backup drive.

tim wrote in post #3576772
I don't see the issue with sidecar files: i'm clever enough to be able to copy two files instead of one... plus I don't move RAW files around. I have a set directory structure and workflow that eliminates the need for moving RAW files. What's with all this moving files you guys must be doing? The only time RAW files are copied is when they're dumped to my backup drive, that system just sucks all the data off, not just selected files.

I make a selection of images, and move them to a folder 'selection'. That's all the moving that is done...
But XMP files will also cause trouble when renaming a CR2 file: The XMP won't be renamed automatically.
I prefer to have the IPTC inside the actual RAW file.
Also, DNG will update the preview in iView.

Rename within bridge the XMP gets renamed automatically. If you use multiple RAW tools in your workflow you'd be stuffed.

I've been pondering this subject for the past couple of months, and after having done some research, I think I will start backing all my raw files up as DNG after having it processed through DXO's CA/distortion filters.

tim wrote in post #3576772
I don't see the issue with sidecar files: i'm clever enough to be able to copy two files instead of one... plus I don't move RAW files around. I have a set directory structure and workflow that eliminates the need for moving RAW files. What's with all this moving files you guys must be doing? The only time RAW files are copied is when they're dumped to my backup drive, that system just sucks all the data off, not just selected files.

I guess I am not clever enough then.

But as usual different workflows require different methods. Since I shoot mostly as a hobby I might have ten different "shoots" per card so my files get moved around at least twice. But to each his own. I'll stick with DNG thanks.

jnev wrote in post #3573536
I convert all my pictures to DNG when I import them into LR just so I don't need to worry an external xmp file that might get lost if I move my files around...

I've been thinking about doing the same but I notice with Windows XP, Windows Explorer can't view the DNG files. Is there any solution to this?