Current state of DNG

[GWestphal]

Is DNG the right way to go to store RAW formats? Do you lose the ability to do anything special vs leaving it in .CR2?

 

[Gooberlx2]

I can't say for cr2, but I converted all my old crw raw files from my 300D Rebel to DNG. I didn't see any loss of image data, as far as I could tell.

I shoot my Pentax K7 in DNG instead of PEF. DNG is definitely more convenient to use between multiple platforms and software in my experience.

If you intend to use Canon's DPP raw software, then I don't think files converted to DNG will work for that.

 

[Scooby Doo]

If your going to use DPP (which has excellent noise reduction), keep them in cr2 format. DPP doesn't support saving or loading dng files.

 

[GWestphal]

Is there anything you can do in DPP that you can't do in Lightroom or Photoshop or <insert program>?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Is there anything you can do in DPP that you can't do in Lightroom or Photoshop or <insert program>?

I don't think so. But it is excellent raw software and it's free.

 

[Scooby Doo]

From what I've read the noise reduction feature is more powerful than the one in Lightroom/PS. Which makes sense, Canon knows how it's camera's sensors handle light and since they make DPP....

 

[RampantAndroid]

What about DNGs compared to NEF files? I've always stuck with NEF, and thought of DNG as just another format that is basically proprietary (Adobe vs Nikon)

 

[randomlinh]

Until the threat of raw support is gone, I will unlikely bother with DNG (unless my camera natively supported it). I'm all for a universal raw format, but that will unlikely ever happen.

HOWEVER, adobe has claimed they might be able to increase workflow performance if you work in DNG. I'm a bit skeptical, but if it proves to be a significant boost, I'd consider it. source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57371809-264/adobe-offering-new-reasons-to-get-dng-religion/

oh, RampantAndroid, I believe DNG is supposed to be an open format. Another reason I like the idea.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Until the thread of raw support is gone, I will unlikely bother with DNG (unless my camera natively supported it). I'm all for a universal raw format, but that will unlikely ever happen.

HOWEVER, adobe has claimed they might be able to increase workflow performance if you work in DNG. I'm a bit skeptical, but if it proves to be a significant boost, I'd consider it. source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57371809-264/adobe-offering-new-reasons-to-get-dng-religion/

Has anyone else picked up support of DNG?

Has anyone done a benchmark to see if LR3 actually improves with use of a DNG?

Until the first is true, DNG is proprietary in my mind.

 

[randomlinh]

Has anyone else picked up support of DNG?

Has anyone done a benchmark to see if LR3 actually improves with use of a DNG?

Until the first is true, DNG is proprietary in my mind.

Pentax and Leica allow you to save directly to DNG. Not sure on the software side of things. Also, the improvements are supposedly for LR4, so we'll find out this summer I suppose.

 

[GWestphal]

From what I've read:

DNG Pros:
1. 20% additional lossless compression compared to single RAW, not including extra images in same file.
2. Single File - XMP sidecar file is build into the file.
3. Open File Format (Pentax and Leica offer support)
4. Multiple Image Files in one file I think, so the DNG can contain RAW and a JPEG so you can view preview thumbnails in any OS file browser.

DNG Cons:
1. Not compatible with DPP for Canon
2. *Unsubstantiated claim* Reorganizing of data may make certain image manipulations not possible (maybe Canon writes out data in just such a way that they can read between the lines as it were and coax out some addition stuff with the right algorithms.)
3. Adobe - They must be getting something out of this....




I like the idea of of a standard RAW type format that can pull double duty, just not sure if I'm missing anything.

 

[Gooberlx2]

3. Adobe - They must be getting something out of this....

They get to drive yet another industry standard, if it becomes one.

 

[Throckmorton]

The whole point of raw is that it's the data from the sensor, which varies from camera to camera... In what way does a standardized format make sense?

 

[GWestphal]

Because the final RAW output isn't necessarily in the same order. Maybe canon writes out 10,000 arrays containing the time array elements and maybe nikon writes out at each time point an array of 10,000 exposure info. It's the same data, but in two different formats. DNG would convert RAW to the same arrangement of data, so you wouldn't need special software to parse out the specific output of each sensor. You also net some additional compression, which helps if you have a couple thousand 20-30MB files.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I personally keep the original CR2s....

 

[swanysto]

I have a difference of opinion when it comes to noise reduction. While dpp is adequate, i find lightroom to much better when it comes to noise and raw images. Photoshop i really didn't think was very good, but that may be my lack of knowledge of the Photoshop environment. the only downside is, lightroom is not free like dpp is. Unless you use the beta, but it expires.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Because the final RAW output isn't necessarily in the same order. Maybe canon writes out 10,000 arrays containing the time array elements and maybe nikon writes out at each time point an array of 10,000 exposure info. It's the same data, but in two different formats. DNG would convert RAW to the same arrangement of data, so you wouldn't need special software to parse out the specific output of each sensor. You also net some additional compression, which helps if you have a couple thousand 20-30MB files.

Sure you still need the software. You need it to convert, instead of using a plugin in LR3 to directly edit NEF files. Until Adobe tells me they can do features with DNG that they CANNOT do with NEF all DNG offers me is compression...and lock in to a different proprietary format.