5DMKII RAW Files - Help

I just purchased a 5DMKII. I usually shoot in RAW and I just found out that ACR and CS3 wont open my CR2 files... I've read that I can use DPP but that is a pain in the arse.

My question (to you software guys) is what can I do to make what I have work, smoothly? I have been thinking about adding Lightroom 3 but it would be for a pc and I want to switch to a mac in the near future... if I download LR3 now can I use it for my mac later or am I going to be forced to buy it over again?

Thanks in advance,
Robert

Use the free DNG converter for now.

Lightroom is cross platform licensed so yes, you can use it on PC and then Mac with no need to buy again. You can actually install it on a PC and a Macbook at the same time as long as you don't use both copies at the same moment.

D Thompson wrote in post #10890175
Use the free DNG converter for now.

Thank you for the link. I have downloaded it. How does this get added to your workflow?

HankScorpio wrote in post #10890210
Lightroom is cross platform licensed so yes, you can use it on PC and then Mac with no need to buy again. You can actually install it on a PC and a Macbook at the same time as long as you don't use both copies at the same moment.

Awesome! Does this work with the download version or only with the shipped version?

duckiller01 wrote in post #10890315
Awesome! Does this work with the download version or only with the shipped version?

I'm not sure about the shipped version as I download but if it doesn't include both versions then you can just download the other version and use the serial number on the box of the shipped version.

Oh... I'd rather download now and get rockin! I just dont know if what I download will have all the proper files for mac later. Should I download to a jump drive or cd? and use it like an install disc later?

Thanks again for the help, I've never downloaded software.

You'll need to download both versions separately as they don't include both versions in one file but it's better to do the Mac download on a Mac when you've got it.

Just download to your desktop and double click the file to install. Then you can backup the file if you like but updates are quite regular so it would probably be out of date if you needed to reinstall for some reason in the future. I download, install and delete.

As long as you keep a record of your serial number (which Adobe will also keep in your Adobe ID account for you) then just treat Adobe's website as your backup device, they'll always be there to download again if you need.

Two thumbs up for you!

duckiller01 wrote in post #10890315
Thank you for the link. I have downloaded it. How does this get added to your workflow?

You run the dng converter after you install it. Pretty simple to convert.

Be sure to ONLY install the DNG converter. Don't try to install ACR 6.2 which may be packaged with it.

Another question...

I am used to using and editing the CR2 + XMP files. I have the CR2, XMP, and JPEG files all saved in the same folders (when I was shooting w/ a 1DMKIII) and they are all very organized. I find myself struggling with the idea of keeping so many versions of the image now that I am converting to DNG.

My concern is space but I dont want to get rid of important info. Should I axe the CR2 file once converted to DNG or keep the CR2, DNG, and JPEG files? does anyone ever go back to the CR2 once converted to DNG? If so why?

Thanks!

Well, I don't "do" DNGs, but a couple of reasons to keep the CR@s stick out to me: first, you can use the Canon software, DPP, on any computer whether you have Lightroom or Photoshop installed on it or not. I'm often using a laptop that is not one of my two "authorized" LR/PS computers, and I have DPP installed on it and in fact all of my computers for quick access and conversions, and it's very nice for that.

Second, CR2 files are recognized by a lot of third-part apps, whereas DNG is not nearly as much. So, many people find that access to different apps can do some cool things.

And, if ever you "lose" your Adobe apps, you might be up a bitter creek.

So for me, I'd archive all my Raw files and, if you wish, work with your DNGs. What to me is unneccesary, though, is keeping jpeg copies. I only convert to a jpeg for a final output, say for my Web galleries, so a minority of images are converted into small jpegs which I archive into an external hard drive separate from my working library.

tonylong wrote in post #10930068
So for me, I'd archive all my Raw files and, if you wish, work with your DNGs. What to me is unneccesary, though, is keeping jpeg copies. I only convert to a jpeg for a final output, say for my Web galleries, so a minority of images are converted into small jpegs which I archive into an external hard drive separate from my working library.

+1, but I don't even go as far as Tony. Any jpgs I make (in 95% of cases) are for sending somewhere, either on-line or on a disc, so as soon as they have reached their destination they get deleted. On the other hand, I have three copies of this year's CR2s (internal + 2 externals) and two copies of previous years.