Apple/Aperture and DNG

[fullkoll]

Hi all,
We all know that DNG is a sort of universal file format that is used more and more - even by Leica in their new cameras.
I have for the last three years converted all my RAW-files to DNG in Lightroom, but now that I thought that I would give Aperture a new chance, I discover that DNG isn´t as universal as I thought.
It´s like this:
I can open my DNG files in Aperture coming from my "old" cameras (Canon, Nikon DSLRs) but not files still not supported by Apple/ Aperture (mFT cameras from Olympus and Panasonic)
I find that strange since I believed that once a RAW file is converted to DNG, it would live its own life..........
This is awkward since Apple is very slow in supporting new cameras :icon_twisted:

 

[Halfje-Bruin]

Let the gurus correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that the raw data contained in the DNG file is still the same raw data that was created by the camera. You can think of DNG more as a container format (just like AVI is for video). That would explain why Aperture could not handle any (converted) DNG files from cameras it doesn't know about.

 

[clee01l]

There are two flavors of DNG file and two presentations. The two Flavors are "Raw DNG" (or"mosaic" DNG ) and "Linear DNG." The two presentations are compressed and uncompressed. So, the bottom line is that Aperture only likes one of the 'flavors' or does not play well with the Compressed/uncompressed DNG that you gave it.
Adobe distributes a free application called DNG Converter. You might take the DNG that you have and convert it to the other options using the 'Custom' compatibility in <Preferences> and see which one Aperture likes best.

AFAIK, All the manufacturer's proprietary RAW formats and the Adobe DNG format are extensions of the TIFF/6 standards. In the case of the mfgs proprietary formats, they are all compressed. My Pentax outputs DNG files as it's RAW format. It does not use Linear DNGs and the "mosaic" DNG it does use is not compressed. I had to convert my RAW DNG to compressed to get it to be read by Corel's PaintShop Pro. It was one of the reasons I dropped PSP to switch to LR.

Here is a Link that explains the DNG Differences:
http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/articles/dng/linear.htm#products

 

[fullkoll]

Thanks!
I tried a few different conversions with DNG Converter, but none worked with Aperture - probably due to my ignorance ......
And some of the file sizes where huge... 45 Mb..
I will stick to LR

 

[johnbeardy]

I thought Aperture had a setting where you could apply a vanilla DNG treatment. I don't have any Apple-unsupported files to test, but in the Adjustments palette, go to Raw fine tuning, and from the drop down box you should see DNG 2.'.

 

[fullkoll]

Yes I see the RAW fine tuning menu, but only if I have opened a RAW file in a supported camera format.......

 

[johnbeardy]

OK, then my memory of Aperture is wrong. But I'm sure there is a way - that was part of the point of DNG support in Aperture 2. Maybe ask where there are more Aperture users.

 

[fullkoll]

Thanks anyway! I was just curious how Aperture would compare to LR today. Having all of my pics organized in LR, I have no plans to give it up

 

[johnbeardy]

In terms of image editing - a good way behind. No local adjustments - brush or gradient - and a clunky copy and sync two step process instead of Auto Sync. There are a few better things in library management (eg smart albums) but others which are worse such as hiding files' actual folders locations compared with LR which shows them and gives you virtual folders (collections).

You won't switch!